1934 Packard 1108 Twelve Convertible Victoria

In 1934 Packard offered three different chassis for the 11th series Packard Twelve, and the 1108 was the longest. This Convertible Victoria is one of the most desirable of Raymond Dietrich-designed body styles. The car provides luxury accommodation for up to four passengers, with special interior trim, a redesigned dash for an optional built-in radio, and several chassis enhancements. Although the style was offered from 1932 through 1934, the 1934 models are the most sought-after today. This well-known car was once in the Otis Chandler Collection in Oxnard, California. It is one of three Convertible Victorias remaining in the world and has recently been restored.

The Raymond Dietrich-bodied Packards were both influential and stunning. One of the highlights was the Convertible Victoria, with its blind quarters giving them an unsurpassed elegance. Unlike the convertible coupe, the car provided far more versatility with luxurious accommodations for up to four. The body style was available from 1932 through 1934. They were unique in many respects, offering special 'wind-split' trim, a redesigned dash intended to accommodate an optional built-in radio, and several chassis enhancements.

For 1934, the hood was extended back over the cowl to the base of the windshield in an unbroken line from the radiator to the main body. This resulted in a much longer hood than that of the earlier cars. The vent doors were curved, as were the leading edges of the doors. The exact numbers are not known, but it is believed that as few as three and as many as four or five Style 4072 Dietrich Convertible Victorias may have been built on the Packard Model 1008 chassis. When new, pricing was $6,080. Only three examples are known to exist today.

In 1948, this example was purchased in Maryland by Robert Wellcome of Westchester, New York. He had purchased it from a local bookmaker, who had purchased the car from a local dentist. The dentist had purchased the car for his daughter but found it too big for her to handle. At that time, he was told that the car was originally sold in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area.

Mr. Wellcome kept the car for nine years and reluctantly sold it to Ted Fuller. Mr. Fuller kept the car for 16 years before selling it to Frank McGowan on August 29, 1973.

Mr. McGowan sold the car to John Wheatley. He restored the car during the late-1970s or early 1980s and later passed it on to Jerry J. Moore in 1984. It remained with Mr. Moore until 1996 when it was acquired by Dr. Joseph Murphy. It joined the Otis Chandler Collection in Oxnard, California in 1998, where it remained on display for four years before Dave Kane of Bernardsville, New Jersey acquired it in 2002.

Joseph Cassini III acquired the Convertible Victoria during the summer of 2004. A navy blue convertible top was later fitted by RM Auto Restoration. The current owner acquired the car in 2006 and fitted a set of chrome wheels and new wide whitewall tires. Also, the electrical system has been re-wired.

In 2011, the car was on display at the Concours d'Elegance of America at St. John's, where it was awarded Best in Class in the Classic Era Open 1934-1942 category.

The car is powered by a modified L-head V-12 engine that offers 160 horsepower. There is a three-speed selective synchromesh manual gearbox with a vacuum-assisted clutch. There is a shaft drive with a hypoid rear axle and four-wheel vacuum-assisted mechanical drum brakes.

In 2012, the car was offered for sale at the Amelia Island, Florida auction presented by RM Auctions. The car was sold for $2,200,000 inclusive of the buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2012