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1937 Packard 1508 Twelve news, pictures, and information | ||
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 |  |  | Convertible Sedan Designer: Dietrich Chassis Num: 1073-236 |
| Sold for $48,400 at 2008 RM Auctions. | |||
In 1935, the styling of all Packard's was updated with more streamlined bodies. The Twelve was given aluminum heads and a quarter inch of stroke. Coil spring independent suspension and hydraulic brakes were added in 1937. For 1937, the most expensive model was the Dietrich-designed Twelve Convertible Sedan was sold for $4,650.
This example was delivered new on May 20th of 1937 by the Chicago Packard agency. This car was put into storage for 53 years and is nearly 100% complete, but in need of a total restoration. The odometer reads 66,440 miles, which is believed to be accurate.
In 2008 this Dietrich-designed 1937 Packard Twelve Convertible Sedan was brought to RM Auctions 'Vintage Motor Cars of Meadow Brook' where it was estimated to sell for $60,000-$80,000 and offered without reserve. A high bid of $48,400 including buyer's premium was enough to secure new ownership. The lot was sold.
By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2009
 |  |  | Convertible Sedan Designer: Dietrich |
The car was a very late production Packard in 1937, and may have been the last one produced of this model.
It has been restored to exact standards, which included optional Division Window, rear trunk rack and dual side mount tires. However the car did not have a radio or heater.
In all respects this auto exemplifies the finest of the mid-thirties elegance.
 |  |  | Touring Sedan |
After restoration, the car was shown in 1999 and won several 1st class and most elegant awards. The car has been shown at Pebble Beach, The Western Division AACA National Spring Meet and Hershey, PA. It won 1st Junior and Senior awards in 1999 and a Grand National Senior Award from AACA in 2000. More recently under Dave & Linda Kane's ownership, the car was awarded 1st in class and 100 points at the CCCA Grand Classic in Baltimore, MD, June 2007 and a Class Award at Meadow Brook in August 2007.
 |  |  | Convertible Sedan Designer: Dietrich |
 |  |  | Art Carved Hearse Designer: Miller |
In early years of custom coach building, true skill was expressed, as each vehicle was completely hand-crafted. This 1937 Packard hearse was originally built as a Model 1506 Packard twelve touring sedan in Detroit before the A.J. Miller Company of Bellefontaine, Ohio customized it into this magnificently beautiful 'art carved' hearse.
The original chassis was extended by 34 inches, increasing the wheelbase to an impressive 166 inches. Skilled craftsman hand-carved the outside panel from mahogany to resemble drapes, or curtains. The inside is just as impressive - with lights that shine on the hand carved, cathedral shaped columns when the rear door is open. Deep purple velvet interior adds warmth and elegance.
This massive rolling work of art is powered by a 473 cubic-inch 12-cylinder engine that develops 175 horsepower. The hearse has a mere 32,000 original miles on its. Of the three V-12 art-carved hearses believed to be built this is the only one known to exist.
 |  |  | Flower Car Designer: Miller |
Flower cars are the rarest of professional cars - less than ten were produced a year due to their high purchase price. Some flower cars were built specifically for transportation of flowers while others were designed to accommodate a casket under the tonneau-style deck wîth flower arrangements on top.
Packard flower cars were the 's first and set the standards by which all others were judged. Like the 1937 Packard hearse, this flower car was used by the Fisher Funeral Home in Vermillion, Ohio until the mid-1950s. The two have never been separated; they have been a part of the Canton Classic Car Museum collection since 1963.
The Flower Car was a relatively new style of professional car in the mid-1930's. The actual manufacturer of this vehicle's body is unknown. Some believe it to be by Miller.Source - Canton Classic Car Museum |  |  | Convertible Sedan Designer: Dietrich |
The Packard Twelves were introduced in 1932 in response to the second 'cylinder war' initiated by Cadillac among American luxury car marques. Early luxury cars were powered predominately by huge displacement six-cylinder engines until Cadillac introduced a V8 in 1915. Packard responded in 1916 with the Twin-Six which became the favorite of film stars, industrialist and heads of state. This engine was replaced by the straight eight in 1924.
In 1930, Cadillac again set off a cylinder race by introduced a v12 and a V16. Packard responded with this new V12 in 1932. The V12 displaced 473.3 cubic-inch and developed 175 horsepower with the Stromberg dual downdraft carburetor and a three-speed transmission with vacuum assisted clutch. Top speed was reportedly over 100 mph although Packard advertising modestly claimed only 85 mph.
This 1937 Packard, V12, Model 1508 convertible was purchased by Bill Perin in 1959. Bill passed away suddenly in 2006, one month after a full restoration was started by Bastian Automotive. The Perins decided to continue with the restoration in honor of their father who loved this car and felt it was part of the family. The restoration was completed in September of 2010 and later that month, competed in a show where it won Best of Show.
This Raymond Dietrich designed convertible sedan style body is finished in Packard Centennial blue with white pin stripping. The long gray convertible top accents the flowing lines of 1937. The upholstery is finished in dark gray leather over a medium gray Bedford Cord. The car has a 144-inch wheelbase, weighs over 6,200 pounds, and has a 473 cubic-inch V-12 engine. This Packard is one of only 40 V12 Dietrich design convertible sedans built in 1937.
 |  |  | All Weather Town Car Coachwork: LeBaron Chassis Num: 1508216 |
| High bid of $162,500 at 2011 RM Auctions. (did not sell) | |||
For 1935, Packard introduced new, highly streamlined bodies. Mechanically, the V12 engine gained lighter-weight aluminum cylinder heads and pistons. It also received a quarter-inch of stroke bringing its displacement to 473 cubic-inches and horsepower to 175.
The 15th Series of Packards (1937) received all-new coil-sprung independent front suspension, hydraulic brakes, vacuum-assisted clutch and brakes. Total Packard production for the year exceeded 87,000 units, with a mere 1,300 of those being the exclusive Twelve. The most expensive vehicle in the line-up was the LeBaron bodied All-Weather Town Car which listed at $5,900. The chassis was large, measuring 144.5-inches.
This example was sold by the Jenkintown, Pennsylvania Packard dealer to Selia Carnil, and after her death in 1940, it returned to the dealer and was sold to a relative of Harold Pitcairn of Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania. In the early 1950s, it was sold to Phil Steen of Chatham, New Jersey, under whom it was restored and finished in black. A few years later, in 1958, it was sold to R. Gross, through whom the car passed to Les Hartman of Wisconsin. At the time, Mr. Hartman was in the process of moving to Arizona, so the Town Car was shipped there directly. Mr. Hartman sold it to Guy Apple of Mesa, Arizona, before it passed through two more known owners and was acquired by Don Harter of Holmdel, New Jersey in November 1976.
Mr. Harter would retain the car for a long period of time, during which it was almost completely restored. It was given a new high-speed rear-axle gears. Eventually, the car was purchased by Harry Clark who finished the restoration and then placed the Packard on display at the Murphy Museum in Oxnard, California.
The car has been shown at Amelia Island and Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, along with many other events. It bears CCCA Senior badge number 2333. In 2008, it was awarded Best Closed Car at Chicago's Barrington Concours.
By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2011
 |  |  | Touring Sedan Chassis Num: 1034-434 |
| Sold for $71,500 at 2012 RM Auctions. | |||
This vehicle was delivered on January 19th of 1937 by Grant Balcom, the Norwich, New York dealer. It was acquired by Zachary 'Zach' Brinkerhoff in 2002 and restored shortly hereafter. It is finished in medium blue and there is grey broadcloth interior and woodgrain. Jump seats for two fold up from the floor of the passenger compartment, and dual side-mount spares leave adequate trunk room for the tourists' luggage.
In 2012, this vehicle was offered for sale at RM Auctions sale in Scottsdale, Arizona. It was estimated to sell for $70,000-$100,000 and was offered without reserve. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $71,500 inclusive of buyer's premium.
By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2012
 |  |  | Convertible Sedan Designer: Dietrich |
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 hereModel Year ChangesThe 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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 1937
Packard
models |
| Packard 115-C Six |
| Packard 120 |
| Packard 120CD |
| Packard 1500 Super Eight |
| Packard 1501 Super Eight |
| Packard 1502 Super Eight |
| Packard 1507 Twelve |
| Similar Automakers | |
| Auburn | Daimler |
| Delage | Delahaye |
| Duesenberg | Hispano Suiza |
| Hudson | Isotta |
| Peerless | Pierce Arrow |
| Talbot-Lago | Voisin |
| Similarly Priced Vehicles from 1937 |
| Packard 1501 Super Eight ($2,400-$4,865) |
| Lincoln Model K ($4,450-$7,050) |
| Packard 1500 Super Eight ($2,300-$5,000) |
| Pierce Arrow Model 1703 ($5,095-$6,765) |
| Packard 1507 Twelve ($3,400-$5,725) |
Average Auction Sale: $46,370 |
| 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 |
