1934 Packard 1106 Twelve Aero Sport Coupe

Packard was one of the oldest car companies in America, with their first car built in 1899 in Warren, Ohio. It was also one of the top luxury automobiles and was enjoyed by the wealthy. The company began life as the Ohio Automobile Company and became the Packard Motor Car Company in 1902. The following year it moved to Detroit.

The Packard Twelves were introduced in 1932 in response to the growing 'cylinder war' initiated by Cadillac among American luxury car marques. Earlier luxury cars were powered predominately by huge displacement six-cylinder engines until Cadillac introduced a V8 in 1915. Packard responded the following year with the Twin-Six. The engine was replaced by the straight eight in 1924.

Cadillac set off another cylinder race in 1930 with the introduction of a V12 and a V16. Packard responded with a new V12 in 1932. In 1934 the V12's displacement was 445.5 cubic inches and offered 160 horsepower. Top speed reportedly topped 100 mph although Packard advertising at the time modestly claimed over 85 mph. For 1934, the Twelves also featured evolutionary styling changes that many consider the pinnacle of Packard design.

The short-wheelbase Packard Aero Sport Coupe was offered as part of the Packard Custom Catalog for 1934. The project was approved for construction in December of 1933 and led by Packard's head stylist Ed Macauley. The resulting style was the last known car to use the term 'Custom Made by Packard' and blended elements of both the LeBaron and Dietrich customs of the era. Less than a handful were produced and these unique motorcars originally sold for around $18,000.

This car was burned in a fire in 1955 and resided in a junkyard for the next several decades. Once rescued, the restoration took 9 years and 12,000 hours to complete to its present condition.