1934 Packard 1108 Twelve Convertible Victoria

This Dietrich-designed, five-place Victoria features side windows and an expansive blind C-pillar. The 1934 Packards were subtly modernized from the preceding year, with front fenders that now curved down almost to the front bumpers, which were wider, with stabilizing dampers fitted to the Twelves. Other changes involved trunks now integrated into the closed car bodies, higher seatbacks and more luxurious upholstery, motor oil cooled by circulation through a core surrounded by radiator water, and an oil filter. Another new addition for the 1934 year was the first Packard radio option, neatly integrated into the new dashboard. Packard had been experimenting with radios since the late 1920s when noted Los Angeles Packard dealer Earle C. Anthony led a delegation to talk to radio companies. As a result, 50 owners had radios installed in 1929, though no factory-approved radios were sold until 1932. By 1934, Packard had re-engineered its cars with shielded wiring, changes in coils to prevent interference, a larger air-cooled generator, and a radio head integrated into the dashboard design.

The first owner of this vehicle was movie star Cesar Romero, who played The Cisco Kid in six Hollywood movies. He purchased the vehicle from Thompson Motors in Beverly Hills in late 1933. The next owner was sportscaster Bill Stern. The vehicle was frequently driven around the Stanford University stadium track during football game pep rallies. A San Francisco policeman named Marvin Zukor purchased the Packard from a young enthusiast who had rescued it from Stanford, then was drafted and sent to Korea.

Zukor was a founder of the Northern California Region of the Classic Car Club of America and would own the Packard for almost six decades. By the mid-1950s, it had been given a paint job and new upholstery, the engine was rebuilt, and Zukor drove it to the sixth Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, where he scored second place in the Packard Class.

Zukor exercised the vehicle regularly for the next five decades. A restoration was performed in the late 2000s in preparation for being shown at the 2008 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. Upon completion, the car was shown at the 2007 Palo Alto Concours where it won the Meguiar's Award for best exterior paint finish. At the Pebble Beach Concours, it received a class award. It later was awarded Best in Class honors at the inaugural Marin Sonoma Concours in 2009.

In 2011, the car was offered for sale in Monterey, Ca. presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $ 500,000-$600,000. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $ 440,000, including the buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2011