1933 Packard 1006 Twelve news, pictures, and information

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Fernandez & Darrin Sedan
Coachwork: Fernandez & Darrin

1933 Packard Cabriolet Deville by Fernandez and Darrin

Although the worst effect of the Depression were being felt in 1933, Packard offered the option of many standard and custom bodies. Both 8- and 12- cylinder engines were available. The car shown is an extraordinary example of a custom body by Fernandez and Darrin of Paris and has a 12-cylinder engine. It was awarded its Senior status by the AACA at Hershey. It won first prize at the Concours d'Elegance in New York in 1978 and awards from Pebble Beach, and Amelia Island.

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Convertible Victoria
Coachwork: Dietrich
Chassis Num: 100622
Engine Num: 901368

This 1933 Packard 1006 Twelve Convertible Victoria was shown at the 2006 Gooding & Company Auction where it was used as a promotional tool for the Otis Chandler Auction which took place at a later date. The body is by Dietrich and carries chassis number 100622 and engine 901368. It is finished in gold and brown and was estimated to sell between $950,000-$1,300,000. The car has been treated to a complete, concours grade, restoration since new. It has chrome wire wheels with dual enclosed side-mounted tires. It has been judged 100 point in CCCA competition in 2003 and 2004.

It was offered without reserve at the Otis Chandler Auction by the Gooding & Company Auction house where it fetched $1,500,000 plus commission of 10%. It is one of only three ever created.

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Convertible Sedan
Coachwork: Dietrich

Packard introduced their Twelves in 1932 in response to the cylinder war assault initiated by Cadillac among American luxury car marques. Cadillac had introduced their V8 in 1915, while most other marques were powering their vehicles predominately by huge displacement six cylinder engines. In 1916, Packard responded with the Twin-Six. The engine was replaced by the smooth running straight eight in 1924.

Cadillac introduced their V12 and a V16 in 1930. Packard responded with this new V12 in 1932. In 1934 the V12's displacement was 445.5 cubic-inches offering 160 horsepower. Top speed was in the neighborhood of 100 mph although Packard advertising modestly claimed over 85 mph.

This example was one of three built especially for the 1933 New York Auto Show with an elegant open body by coachbuilder Dietrich. It has never been restored, but has been freshened.

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Convertible Victoria
Coachwork: Dietrich

This is the only known existing example of the vee-windshield convertible Victoria style built by Packard in 1933. The car is powered by Packard's 445 cubic-inch V-12, a powerplant known not only for its performance but its utter silence. Packard's most famous ad for 1933 depicted a Packard Twelve Victoria posed by a lovely pond, the only text being the word 'Hush!'

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Stationary Coupe
Coachwork: Dietrich

The 1933 Packard dropped the Twin six nameplate from their twelve-cylinder cars in favor of the more modern Packard Twelve designation. This two-to-four passenger coupe is the ultimate in the small-cabin-on-a-long chassis style. The year 1933 was a very production year for Packard and as the Great Depression deepened very few 1933 vee-windsheild Dietrich cars were built.

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.

1933 Packard models
Packard 1001 Standard Eight
Packard 1004 Super Eight
Packard 1005 Twelve
Packard Twelve