Packard Twelve, 1935 Twelve Pictures, News, Reviews, and Info | Conceptcarz.com - Pictures, Wallpaper, Pricing, Information, History

Overview

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Chassis Num: 873 232
Engine Num: 86L 066L

This 1935 Packard Twelve Convertible Sedan has won First in Class at the 1984 Grand Classic and the 1984 Meadow Brook Hall Concours d'Elegance. It has recently been awarded a Second in Class, a true testament of the quality of the restoration; it was awarded this honor ten years after the restoration was completed.

This vehicle has many options and amenities including the dual side-mount spares and hard metal covers and mirrors. The wire wheels are chromed and painted and the tires are whitewalls.

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Coupe Model 1207
Chassis Num: 838223

The first Packard V12 production vehicle was in 1915 and dubbed the Twin Six. With this vehicle and its potent powerplant, Packard entered into a new degree of sophistication and prowess in the luxury car marketplace.

In 1924 the Twin Six was replaced by Packard's straight eight which would carry the Packard name through the 1920s. With the onset of the Great Depression, and the escalating cylinder wars of the other automakers, Packard revived their twelve-cylinder powerplant.

The new Twin Six made its debut in 1932. It was an advanced machine with hydraulic valve lifters and a modified L-head design. Horsepower was attractive, rated at 160 bhp from the 445 cubic-inch unit. The Twin Six became known as the Twelve the following year and remained in production through 1939. In war time, the twelve cylinder unit was used for military boats and aircraft.

This car was owned by Henry Fisher in the late 1930s and later passed to his daughter, Ann Klein. The car is in original condition with its interior showing very little wear and the exterior paint is still exceptional considering its age. The chrome plating, also original, is still in good condition. The wood trim surrounding the windshield needs refurbishing.

This car has been driven 52,000 miles since new, is mechanically original, a Full Classic and eligible for all the CCCA's many regional and national activities.

Mounted under the bonnet is a 385 cubic-inch V12 L-head engine mounted at a 67-degree angle and produces 175 horsepower. There is a three-speed selective synchromesh gearbox and a rear-mounted spare tire and cover.

This 1935 Packard Twelve Model 1207 Coupe was offered for sale at the 2007 Gooding & Company auction held in Pebble Beach, California where it was estimated to sell for $100,000 - $125,000. As bidding got underway, it soon became obvious that the estimates were far too low. As the gavel fell for the third and final time, the lot had been sold for the sum of $242,000 including buyer's premium.

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Coupe Roadster

For 1935 Packard refined its flagship Twelve motor by adding aluminum heads and increased stroke (4.25-inches), which increased horsepower to 175. Displacement was 473 cubic-inches. Brakes were mechanical, but with a vacuum assist.

Sixteen body styles were available on the Twelve chassis, including this sporty coupe roadster. However, only 788 Twelves were built in 1935, as production of luxury automobiles continued to decline.

In 1935 Packard had introduced the medium priced 120 series, a small, eight-cylinder car whose sales hit 24,995 making it, by far, the most popular Packard series available for 1935. (Standard Eight sales hit 4,781 and Super Eight sales were 1,392).

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.

Photos grouped by event
Glenmoor Gathering of Significant Automobiles	Hilton Head Island Concours d'Elegance & Motoring Festival	Gooding & Company	2006 RM Auctions at Amelia Island

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