1937 Packard 1508 Twelve Convertible Sedan

Packard was a leading luxury marque at the start of the Classic era and was also one of the oldest car companies in America. The first Packard had been built in 1899. The company began life as the Ohio Automobile Company of Warren, Ohio before becoming the Packard Motor Car Company and 1902, moving to Detroit a year later.

The Packard Twelves were introduced in 1932 in response to the second 'cylinder war' initiated by Cadillac among American luxury car marques. Early luxury cars were powered predominately by huge displacement six-cylinder engines until Cadillac introduced a V8 in 1915. Packard responded in 1916 with the Twin-Six which became the favorite of film stars, industrialists, and heads of state. This engine was replaced by the straight eight in 1924.

In 1930, Cadillac again set off a cylinder race by introducing a v12 and a V16. Packard responded with this new V12 in 1932. The V12 displaced 473.3 cubic-inch and developed 175 horsepower with the Stromberg dual downdraft carburetor and a three-speed transmission with vacuum-assisted clutch. Top speed was reportedly over 100 mph although Packard advertising modestly claimed only 85 mph.

Packard's 15th Series was introduced on September 3rd of 1936 with an incredible 50 body styles available between its Junior and Senior series models. Packard's V-12 series automobiles, which began in 1932, were produced in the greatest numbers in 1937; that year 1,300 were built, including the convertible sedan priced at $4,650.

This car was delivered new to the Philadelphia dealership in August 1937 and the original owner was Dr. Lawrence R. Davis.

This 1937 Packard, V12, Model 1508 convertible was purchased by Bill Perin in 1959. Bill passed away suddenly in 2006, one month after a full restoration was started by Bastian Automotive. The Perins decided to continue with the restoration in honor of their father who loved this car and felt it was part of the family. The restoration was completed in September of 2010 and later that month, competed in a show where it won Best of Show. It won Best in Class at both the 2015 CCCA Annual Convention and the Chesapeake Grand Classic.

This Raymond Dietrich-designed convertible sedan-style body is finished in Packard Centennial blue with white pin stripping. The long gray convertible top accents the flowing lines of 1937. The upholstery is finished in dark gray leather over a medium gray Bedford Cord. The car has a 144-inch wheelbase, weighs over 6,200 pounds, and has a 473 cubic-inch V-12 engine. This Packard is one of only 40 V12 Dietrich design convertible sedans built in 1937.