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1939 Packard 1708 Twelve news, pictures, and information | ||
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 |  |  | Touring Sedan |
This car was built for the Japanese Embassy in San Francisco, California. When the Imperial government of Japan bombed Pearl Harbor the car was impounded by the U.S. Government.
After the war, it was sold as war surplus to a farmer in Northern California who drove it for over forty years. He taught his eight children to drive in this car.
The car was later sold to the Disney Corporation for the Queen Mary project. When Disney pulled out, the current owners purchased the car.
The car has been driven on several long distance antique and classic car tours, from Newport, Rhode Island to San Francisco, California and a Canadian/American tour. The engine is a 473 cubic-inch V12 and the last of this type of engine to be built. Also, this is the last extensive use of wood in an inner body construction. All steel body construction was used from this point on. This model was the first to have a column shift. There is a radio in the rear compartment only, clock front and back, jump seats - seats nine people comfortably. For privacy, there is a division window between front and rear compartments. This vehicle has never been restored, repaired - yes, but never restored. Comfortable, quiet, and keeps up with modern day traffic.
 |  |  | Touring Sedan |
This was the last year for the V-12 engine.
This Packard is the generous gift of the Robert Sommers family of Smithfield, VA.Source - National Packard Museum
 |  |  | Formal Sedan |
This Packard was originally owned by the famous Opera singer Lily Pons and has been part of the Westerman family for 50 years. This automobile is completely unrestored.
 |  |  | All Weather Cabriolet Coachwork: Brunn Chassis Num: 17082002 |
| Sold for $176,000 at 2008 RM Auctions. Sold for $178,750 at 2011 RM Auctions. | |||
The Brunn & Co., of Buffalo, New York, was established in 1908 by Hermann Brunn. In 1920 the company was given a contract for Lincoln bodies. The work continued when Henry Ford bought Lincoln in 1922. By the 1930s Brunn was creating custom and semi-custom bodies for Pierce-Arrow, Cadillac and Packard.
This Packard wears a Brunn body which has been treated to a restoration by Scottsdale specialist Barry Briskman. It is believed to be one of four built. The current owner purchased the car in 2007. It has received Premier honors from the CCCA. It won Third in Class at the 2004 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.
The car is painted in black with dual sidemounts, and has a tan canvas top. The interior features black leather upholstery on the chauffeur's seat and tan cloth in the passenger compartment. It sold new for $8,335 making it the most expensive Packard in 1939. It was over a thousand dollars more than a V16 Cadillac or equivalent Lincoln.
In 2008 this 1939 Packard Twelve All Weather Cabriolet with coachwork by Brunn was brought to RM Auctions 'Vintage Motor Cars of Meadow Brook' where it was estimated to sell for $200,000-$255,000. Bidding reached $176,000 including buyer's premium which was enough to satisfy the reserve. The lot was sold.
By Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2008
 |  |  | Convertible Sedan Chassis Num: B602257 |
| Sold for $64,900 at 2008 RM Auctions. | |||
In 2008, this car was brought to the 2nd Annual Vintage Motor Cars of Hershey presented by RM Auctions where it was estimated to sell for $80,000-$120,000. It was offered without reserve. A high-bid of $64,900 including buyer's premium was enough to secure new ownership. The lot was sold.
By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2008
 |  |  | Touring Sedan Chassis Num: 1253-2006 Engine Num: B602138 |
| High bid of $375,000 at 2008 RM Auctions. (did not sell) | |||
This particular car was built for Lazaro Cardenas Del Rio, who was the president of Mexico from 1934 through 1940. It was a gift from Cardena's close friend Ofario, a businessman and Packard representative.
The presidential position meant this car was given extra protection such as bulletproof glass and retractable side and rear windscreens when the top was up or down.
This car has been restored many years ago and is still in good condition. It is painted in black lacquer, with interior of tan leather and a tan Haartz cloth top. It was purchased in 2000 by a California collector and has been well maintained since that time. It was on display at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles as part of their exhibition of 'Presidents, Popes and Potentates: Cars of Heads of State.'
In 2008, this vehicle was offered for sale at the 'Sports & Classics of Monterey' presented by RM Auctions where it had an estimated value of $500,000 - $900,000. It was sold for a high bid of $375,000 including buyer's premium.
By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2009
 |  |  | Sport Sedan Coachwork: Bohman & Schwartz |
 |  |  | Touring Cabriolet Coachwork: Brunn Chassis Num: B602303A Engine Num: B602303A |
| Sold for $166,100 at 2009 RM Auctions. | |||
This Brunn Collapsible Touring Cabriolet is body number 1 and is a largely original car. The original owner (believed to have been British-born bandleader and composer Ray Noble) purchased the car from Earle C. Anthony, the legendary Los Angeles distributor.
The exterior of the dark is painted in black and all the exterior brightwork is in good condition. There are wide whitewall tires, twin side-mount spares, with hard covers coupled with a commodious trunk and an external folding trunk rack. The interior is tan cloth with walnut accents in the passenger compartment. There is an optional column shifter and a L-head V12 engine offering 175 horsepower.
In 2009, this car was brought to RM Auctions 'Vintage Motor Cars of Meadow Brook' where it was estimated to sell for $175,000-$225,000. As bidding came to a close, the lot had been sold for the sum of $166,100, including buyer's premium.
By Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2009
 | Convertible Sedan Chassis Num: 12532017 Engine Num: B602387 | |
| Sold for $170,500 at 2010 Gooding & Company. | ||
This example is a Model 1708, five-passenger convertible sedan. It has been given a comprehensive restoration and finished in the correct and Idium Grey metallic paint with a black Haartz cloth convertible top that features blind rear quarters for rear-seat occupants' privacy. The upholstery is finished in red leather with contrasting burl walnut dashboard. There are five uniformly round gauges on the inset panel and matching wood door accents. There is a steering column shift, an unusual feature among the larger displacement Full Classics, a modern amenity that provided additional front compartment floor space. There is a roll-up divider window behind the driver's seat that is surrounded by walnut trim. Mounted to the rear of the front-seat cowling is a rear-seat leather-wrapped lap robe rope with matching grab-straps at either end. Also, there is a correct Packard accessory heather that provides warmth to both driver and passengers.
The car was fitted with many options such as dual-enclosed side-mounted spares with rear view mirror; period-correct accessory fog lamps including a single rear lamp; and an unusual external rear trunk rack which, when lowered, has its own elegantly shaped chrome bumper to protect car and trunk alike.
In 2010, this Model 1708 was offered for sale at Gooding & Company's auction held in Amelia Island, Florida. The car was expected to sell for $175,000 - $225,000. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $170,500, inclusive of buyer's premium.
By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2010
The Packard Twelve was produced from 1933 to 1939 with over 35,000 examples produced. It is considered by many to be one of the finest automobiles produced by Packard and one of the most significant creations of the classic car era. The long and flowing front hood hid a 445 cubic-inch side-valve twelve cylinder engine that was refined, powerful, smooth, and quiet.
The engine was originally destined for a front wheel drive project which eventually proved to have weaknesses. That and the anticipated development cost were too much to be practical so Packard decided to scrap the idea. Cadillac had introduced their 16-cylinder engine and other marques such as Pierce-Arrow were improving the performance of their offerings. Packard was feeling the pressure and decided to place the engine into the Deluxe Eight Chassis and dubbed it the Twin Six. The name was in honor of Packard's achievement fifteen years earlier when the introduced their first 12-cylinder engine. By 1933 the name was changed to Twelve to be inline with the rest of the Packard models.
Most of the Packard production Twelve's received factory bodies. Only a handful received custom coachwork by such greats as LeBaron and Dietrich.
In 1935 Packard introduced more horsepower and mechanical improvements. The suspension became more plush and comfortable while the steering became easier to operate. The cars were designed and built as one unit including the fenders, running boards, hood and body.
1936 the final year for 17 inch wire wheels and the double blade bumpers with hydraulic dampers.
By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2008
For more information and related vehicles, click hereThe engine was originally destined for a front wheel drive project which eventually proved to have weaknesses. That and the anticipated development cost were too much to be practical so Packard decided to scrap the idea. Cadillac had introduced their 16-cylinder engine and other marques such as Pierce-Arrow were improving the performance of their offerings. Packard was feeling the pressure and decided to place the engine into the Deluxe Eight Chassis and dubbed it the Twin Six. The name was in honor of Packard's achievement fifteen years earlier when the introduced their first 12-cylinder engine. By 1933 the name was changed to Twelve to be inline with the rest of the Packard models.
Most of the Packard production Twelve's received factory bodies. Only a handful received custom coachwork by such greats as LeBaron and Dietrich.
In 1935 Packard introduced more horsepower and mechanical improvements. The suspension became more plush and comfortable while the steering became easier to operate. The cars were designed and built as one unit including the fenders, running boards, hood and body.
1936 the final year for 17 inch wire wheels and the double blade bumpers with hydraulic dampers.
By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2008
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 1939
Packard
models |
| Packard 120 |
| Packard 1700 Six |
| Packard 1703 Super Eight |
| Packard 1705 Super Eight |
| Similar Automakers | |
| Auburn | Daimler |
| Delage | Delahaye |
| Duesenberg | Hispano Suiza |
| Hudson | Isotta |
| Peerless | Pierce Arrow |
| Talbot-Lago | Voisin |
| Similarly Priced Vehicles from 1939 |
| Lincoln Model K ($4,805-$7,105) |
| Cadillac Series 90 ($5,235-$7,300) |
Average Auction Sale: $137,684 |
| Packard: 1931-1940 |
| Similar Automakers |
| Packard History |
| Other models by Packard |
| 180 200 250 3-35 Fourth Series | 300 38 645 745 | 845 Caribbean Cavalier Clipper | Custom Eight Eight Four Hundred Model 18 | Model 30 Model F One-Twenty Patrician | Six Super Deluxe Twelve |
