1936 Packard Model 1407 Twelve news, pictures, and information

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Coupe Roadster
Coachwork: Dietrich
Chassis Num: 1939209

This 1936 Packard Twelve Coupe Roadster Series 1407 with chassis number 1939209 sat atop of a 139 inch wheelbase and powered by a 473 cubic-inch twelve-cylinder engine capable of producing nearly 180 horsepower. Stopping power was provided by four-wheel vacuum assisted mechanical brakes while the three-speed manual gearbox sent the power to the rear wheels.

This is just one of the 682 Twelve series chassis that Packard produced in 1936. It was sold to Warren Baxter, a Depression era Hollywood star with some of his starring roles including the 1933 film 42nd Street.

The vehicle includes accessories such as a Packard heater, Cormorant radio with antenna concealed in the convertible roof, and clock. It is equipped with two-position ride adjustments and a rumble seat. There are dual side mounted spare tires with covers and body colored wire wheels.

Up to this point in history, it has never been shown.

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Dual Cowl Phaeton
Coachwork: Dietrich
Chassis Num: 904299
Engine Num: 921204

The cylinder wars during the late 1920s and early 1930s had most luxury marque's scrambling to create a suitable power-plant that could compete with other engines on the market while still retaining their exclusivity and style. Cadillac and Marmon produced a sixteen-cylinder unit and Peerless was following closely with their development of a sixteen-cylinder unit. The Duesenberg and their Model J was powered by a twin-overhead camshaft was very potent even at just eight-cylinders. In 1932, Packard introduced their V12 along with the Twin Six nameplate. The L-head engine produced 160 horsepower which was rather modest in comparison to the competition. The torque that it produced was more than enough to carry the elegant bodies at speeds of up to 85 mph. A sedan version was clocked at over 100 mph.

The vehicle had an X-braced ladder-type frame with hydraulic shock absorbers on all four corners. The suspension was comprised of a solid axles and leaf springs. Four-wheel drum brakes were operated via a servo-assisted cable system.

The name 'Twin Six' lasted for only a short time before it was replaced by the name 'Twelve.' By 1935, the company had brought the horsepower output up to 175 with the help of a downdraft Stromberg carburetor with an automatic choke.

This 1936 Packard Model 1407 Dual Cowl Phaeton has chassis number 904299 and is powered by a 474 cubic-inch V12 that produces 175 horsepower. It has a three-speed manual gearbox and a worm-and-roller steering. It has a long, 142-inch wheelbase and a factory body to Dietrich design.

This vehicle was offered for sale at the 2006 Gooding & Company Auction held in Pebble Beach, Ca. The estimated value was set between $450,000-$550,000. The body was built by the factory and followed designs created by Dietrich. It is finished in Packard Blue lacquer with cream pin-striping. The foldable cloth top is a tan Haartz unit. The interior is finished in brown leather. There are twin windshields and a racked-back V-radiator.

The present owner has owned the vehicle for more than twenty years. It is in excellent condition and has been maintained to the highest of standards. At auction, this was one of the last lots of the day to be offered for sale. There was a reserve placed on the vehicle which meant that a certain price had to be satisfied in order to be sold.

Having not been offered for sale for twenty years, it was thought that this vehicle might sell rather quickly. However, as the bidding came to a close on this vehicle, it left the stage unsold.

In 2008, this car was brought to the 2nd Annual Vintage Motor Cars of Hershey presented by RM Auctions. Bidding reached $231,000 which was enough to satisfy the vehicles reserve. The lot was sold.

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Coupe Roadster
Coachwork: Dietrich

This 1936 Packard 1407 Convertible Coupe rides on a 139-inch wheelbase, weighs 5,585 pounds, and sold new for $4,890.

It is powered by a 473 cubic-inch V12 engine developing 175 horsepower.

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Sport Pheaton

The year 1936 was the last year that Packard produced Phaetons. This V12 is one of just a handful built and the only known example without side mounted spare tires. Delivered new to the Japanese Embassy in Canada, it is powered by a 473-cubic-inch V12 and sits on a 139-inch wheelbase. Special features included adjustable ride control and power brakes.

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Club Sedan
Chassis Num: 904521

From 1929 to 1933, Packard production dropped by nearly half each year when compared to the prior year. This was the result of a struggling economy, the Great Depression, and increase competition. For 1935, the Packard automobiles received numerous refinements such as more horsepower, improved suspension and steering, and new envelope styling bodies. 1935 was the first time the Packard was designed as a whole, meaning the hood, body, fenders and running boards were integrated into a design that has been hailed as one of the most attractive bodies of the era.

This example is finished in dark green with a tan cloth interior. The 473 cubic-inch side-valve 12-cylinder engine produces 175 horsepower. There is a three-speed synchromesh manual gearbox and four-wheel vacuum assisted mechanical brakes. It was brought to the 2007 Monterey Sports & Classic Car Auction presented by RM Auctions, where it had an estimated value of $50,000 - $60,000. The car carried no reserve, meaning the high bid would become the new owner. As the gavel fell, the lot was sold for $46,200 including buyer's premium.

In 2009, this car was offered for sale at the Vintage Motor Cars of Hershey presented by RM Auctions where it was estimated to sell for $50,000 - $70,000. The lot was sold for the sum of $55,000, including buyer's premium.

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Convertible Victoria
Coachwork: Dietrich
Chassis Num: 904719

Had it not been for Alexander Winton, the legendary Packard automobile probably would never have been produced. When James Ward Packard purchased a 'Winton' in 1898, he was very dissatisfied with the car. He relayed his thoughts and experiences with the car to Mr. Winton he suggested that Mr. Packard should try to build a better car of his own. By November of 1899, with the assistance of his brother and two former Winton employees, Packard produced his first car. Four additional cars were built that year, and 47 of a 'Model B' in 1900. It was not long before the slogan 'Ask the Man Who Owns One' was adopted.

Packard automobiles were in high demand until the Great Depression cut production by nearly half each year when compared with the previous. Even with slipping sales, Packard continued to refine their vehicles, making improvements from year-to-year.

In 1936 there Packard employed 5,100 production workers with 2,500 of them assigned to building the 5,985 senior cars that would be produced that year. The remaining 2,600 employees work on the other 55,042 Packard 120 Models created that year. This division of labor, with nearly half of the employees working on 10% of the vehicles.

The fourteenth series for 1936 had only minor differences from the cars of 1935, the most significant change being a new radiator, which was raked back five degrees to give the car a sleeker look. 1936 was the final year for the 17-inch wire wheels and the traditional double blade bumpers with hydraulic dampers.

The Twelve was offered in many different bodystyles including several different four-door sedans configurations. This example is a five-passenger Convertible Victoria that has a sporty persona combined with a two-door open style that offers luxury, comfort and performance. The top, designed by Dietrich's designers, looks elegant when up, and hides almost completely out-of-sight when folded.

This example is one of just 682 Twelve's built by Packard in 1936. Its early ownership history is not known except that it was delivered new by the noted California Packard dealer, Earle C. Anthony. By the 1980s, the car was in the ownership of Gerry Mariani. It was later sold via RM Classic Cars to Lloyd Needham. Seven years later, ownership changed to its current owner.

This car is painted in Packard Blue, has a tan leather interior, brushed nickel, rich wood-grain, and a Hartz cloth top. There are twin side-mounted spares, fitted with matching original metal covers and accessory rearview mirrors. It also has the very rare optional in-dash radio which was very expensive at the time.

It was awarded the Best in Show trophy at the Willistead Concours in 1999, and has also received its CCCA Senior and Premier awards in national competition.

In 2008 this 1936 Packard Twelve (Series 1407) Convertible Victoria was brought to RM Auctions 'Vintage Motor Cars of Meadow Brook' where it was estimated to sell for $325,000 - $400,000. Those estimates were proven accurate as a high bid of $385,000 including buyer's premium was enough to secure new ownership.

A year later, it car was brought to RM Auctions 'Vintage Motor Cars of Meadow Brook' where it was estimated to sell for $250,000-$350,000. As bidding came to a close, the lot had been sold for the sum of $253,000, including buyer's premium.

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.

For more information and related vehicles, click here

1936 Packard models
Packard Model 120
Packard Model 120B
Packard Model 1401 Eight
Packard Model 1402 Eight
Packard Model 1404 Super Eight
Packard Model 1408 Dietrich
Packard Twelve
Packard Twelve LeBaron