1937 Packard 1508 Twelve news, pictures, and information

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Convertible Sedan
Designer: Dietrich
Chassis Num: 1073-236

The Packard V12, initially called the 'Twin Six', was the flagship of the line. The design of the engines were quite different from the prior 'Twin Six' models, so the name was updated to 'Twelve' from 1933 onwards. There was a plethora of bodystyles available, including 12 standard production models and ten individual custom Dietrich designs. LeBaron and Brunn would supply a number of custom types in the subsequent years to come.

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.

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The car was first sold and was garaged in N.Y. City from 1937 until 1939. It was then sold and used primarily as a parade vehicle in N.Y. It was during that period of time it was fitted with a rear seat heater.

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.

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Touring Sedan

Sold new in Richmond, Virginia, by Mooers Motor Car Company to Miss Mary Martin - heir to Home Beneficial Life Insurance Company of Richmond, Virginia. The car remained in Richmond changing hands three times, until it was sold to Mr. Reggie Nash of Richmond with just 43,000 miles on the odometer. Reggie kept the car 19 years before sending it to Monte & Greg Montillier, in Watsonville, California, for a restoration that took eight years.

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.

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Convertible Sedan
Designer: Dietrich

This 1937 Packard V12 Convertible Sedan has coachwork by Dietrich and rides on a wheelbase that measures 144-inches. It was sold new in Boston and spent much of its life in Rhode Island and Arizona. The car was purchased in 2003 by its current owner and had it restored to its original specifications.

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Art Carved Hearse
Designer: Miller

Packard added independent front suspension and hydraulic brakes in 1937. They produced a whopping 1300 V-12 cars that year. This car weighs approximately 5525 pounds.

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.

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Flower Car
Designer: Miller

This 1937 Packard twelve Flower Car is the companion to the nearby 1937 Packard 'Art Carved' Hearse, this Packard was original built in Detroit as a Fifteenth Series, Super 8 before being customized into a flower car.

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 with flower arrangements on top.

Packard flower cars were the industry'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

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.

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1937 Packard models
Packard 115-C Six
Packard 120C
Packard 120CD
Packard 1500 Super Eight
Packard 1501 Super Eight
Packard 1502 Super Eight
Packard 1507 Twelve
Packard Twelve Coupe
Packard Twelve Victoria