1933 Packard 1005 Twelve Touring

The Tenth Series Packards were introduced on January 6th of 1933 at the Astor Hotel in New York City, NY. This series would remain in production until August of the following year. Just like the Ninth Series of 1932, the 10th series was available with eight- or twelve-cylinder engines. This also marked the first time that Packard described their 12-cylinder engine as a 'Twelve' rather than the single Twin six of previous years.

The Tenth Series of Packards were available in two models, the 1005 which rode a wheelbase that measured 142 inches, and the 1006 which had a 147-inch wheelbase. Between these two versions, there were around 520 examples of the twelve-cylinder Tenth Series cars produced.

Differences between the 9th and 10th series cars were many, such as more rounded bodies due in part to their window glass being moved. This re-positioning made it flusher with the exterior surface and Packard claimed it reduced noise by as much as 50 percent.

There were 244 examples of the Model 1005 cars produced in 1933, and this example is a 1005 Twelve Touring and wears body number 630. It has seating for up to seven individuals which it can do through the use of jump seats that fold down from the rear surface of the front seats. Many believe that this may be the sole example of a Packard 1005 Touring car ever produced. It was the 14th example of the twelve-cylinder 1005 produced, and it was delivered to its first owner on March 25th of 1933. Since the late 1970s, it has had only two owners. It was shown at the Classic Car Club of America's Rocky Mountain Grand Classic in July of 1984 where it scored 98 points.

Near the close of 1984, it was sold to its current owner; it has not been shown outside the mid-west since that time. It has been shown at a few local concours events and at the Meadow Brook Concours.

It is painted in a two-tone color scheme of navy blue and white paint. The undercarriage and wheels are light blue highlighted by identically toned pinstripes along the fenders and hood. There are whitewall tires and a Packard swan hood ornament.

There are four-wheel vacuum-assisted mechanical drum brakes, a three-speed synchromesh gearbox, and a 67-degree, L-head, V-12 engine that displaces 446 cubic inches.

In 2009, this 1005 Twelve Touring Packard was offered for sale at the Gooding & Company auction held in Scottsdale, Arizona where it was estimated to sell for $350,000 - $450,000. The lot was sold for the sum of $275,000 including the buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2009