1934 Packard 1108 Twelve Convertible Sedan

Packard's reputation was linked with Peerless and Pierce-Arrow during the 1910s and 1920s, forming one of the 'Three Ps' renowned for elegant styling, robust engineering, and luxury. One of the significant Packard offerings of 1916-1923 was the Packard Twin-Six, a model name revived in January 1932 with the introduction of a totally new 445.5 cubic-inch L-head engine developing 160 horsepower. By 1934, the Twin-Six name was dropped and became known simply as the Packard Twelve.

This particular Packard Twelve 1108 rests on a 146.87-inch wheelbase and rides on 7.50-17 wide whitewalls mounted on chrome-plated steel-spoke wheels matched by dual side-mounted spares with painted metal covers. There are mechanical vacuum-assisted 4-wheel drum brakes, a hypoid rear axle, a vacuum-assisted clutch, and a 3-speed manual synchronized shift transmission.

Penned by Ray Dietrich, the vee-windshield custom body series was offered by Packard from 1932 through 1934. The original Dietrich design was slightly updated by Count Alexis de Sakhnoffsky in 1934, with a longer hood flowing over the cowl as seen in this magnificent example.

Most Packard Twelves came with a standard factory body but this example is one of a few carrying the custom Dietrich label. Penned by Ray Dietrich, the vee-windshield custom body series was offered by Packard from 1932 through 1934. Most Packard Twelves, which featured Packard's V12 engine, received factory bodies; only a handful had magnificent coachwork like this from Dietrich or LeBaron.

This vehicle (wearing Style 4070) features a longer hood flowing over the cowl, a V-type slanting windshield, a partition behind the driver's seat which lowers out of sight, a semi-disappearing top, and a longer and lower steering column with a special shifting lever and are among the custom Dietrich features.

This Individual Custom Convertible Sedan is powered by a 455.5 cubic-inch V12 engine developing 175 horsepower, coupled to a synchromesh three-speed transmission capable of 93 mph or 0 to 60 mph in 20.4 seconds.