Hilton Head Island Concours d'Elegance Winner Announced - 1932 Packard takes Best In Show

A 1932 Packard Model 903 Deluxe Eight Convertible Victoria was chosen as this year's Best in Show at the Hilton Head Island's Concours d'Elegance & Motoring Festival. The Concours returned to the island after being canceled last year due to COVID-19. Scheduled activities leading up to the concours on Sunday included the Savannah Speed Classic, 'Diamonds of the Kitchen' Truffle Dinner on Wednesday, Grand Motoring Film Festival on Thursday, Dimmers in Bluffton and Flights & Fancy Aeroport Gala on Friday, and a slew of activities on Saturday including driving tours, car club displays, dinners and various social gatherings. The main event - the Concours d'Elegance - was Sunday.

Over 250 vehicles were registered for this year's event, and of those, the judges liked the 1932 Packard 903 Deluxe Victoria owned by Richard and Patricia Lambert the best, bestowing it with Best of Show honors. It is an elegant vehicle with the distinct Packard radiator shell still prominently leading the way, optional disc wheels, optional dual sidemounts, two doors, and seating for four, with the rear passengers enjoying privacy and seclusion provided by the victoria-style top. The Dietrich-designed Convertible Victoria was initially only available on the individual Custom Line but due to its popularity with buyers, it joined the DeLuxe Eight 903 line for 1932. The 903 rested on a generous 142.5-inch wheelbase platform and a new double-drop frame design with X-bracing allowed for increased interior space. Additional new features included a harmonic balancer, front bumper fender lamps and dual horns. The company's new ride control offered three settings ensuring a smooth ride on both paved and unpaved surfaces. The optional high-compression cylinder head for the 384.8 cubic inch inline eight as well as an updated Detroit Lubricator 51 carburetor and air cleaner assembly brought output to a respectable 135 horsepower. A vacuum-assisted clutch aided in relaxed comfortable motoring. Packard moved from a 4-speed crash gearbox to a 3-speed with synchromesh in second and third. It was also the first year for a fully disappearing top on the production coupe roadsters. The chassis was lower, and the bodies, built by Packard, were also lower and had a much more graceful appearance.

This Packard was purchased from Park Avenue Packard in New York City for $4,495 in August of 1932. In comparison, the V-12 Cadillac Series 370-B offered 135 horsepower, rested on a 140-inch wheelbase, and most priced below $4,000. For the thrifty buyer, a 1932 Ford could be had for $400. In the wake of the Great Depression, with financial resources rapidly dwindling, only the affluent, well-heeled buyer was capable of buying a Packard, and the 903 Convertible Victoria was on the upper end of the price spectrum. Approximately 955 examples of the 903 were built; the Ninth Series Packards were introduced in June of 1931, eight months ahead of the typical new model introduction.

The Packard 903 owned by the Lambert's exhibited grace and elegance complemented by a restoration that was equally impressive, earning the Best of Show honors at the 2021 Hilton Head Concours d'Elegance & Motoring Festival.

Photo credit: Daniel Vaughan
posted on conceptcarz.com

Related Posts