1932 Packard Model 906 Twin Six Sedan Limiousine

On October 29th of 1929, the Stock Market Crash sent the United States into The Great Depression. This day would become known as Black Tuesday. Soon, the depression spread to Europe and every part of the world. Prices fell by 40 to 60 percent on most products, crops, and items being sold. The Great Depression persisted for many years, ending at different times in different countries.

In the automotive market, the marques that suffered the most during this era were the luxury car segment that catered entirely to the upper class. The small pool of buyers dwindled even further during this time. Competition became very fierce as luxury brands began dropping prices and offering a wide variety of options just to entice buyers. At the top of the luxury car market was Packard, who introduced some of their greatest classic automobiles during this time.

In response to The Great Depression and the mounting competition from other marques, Packard introduced their V12 Twin Six with a wide range of elegant custom bodies. They also brought the coach-building craft in-house, where they could control the cost, quality, and the design. This allowed Packard to increase margins and operating efficiency. Many of the designs were still outsourced to such prominent design studios as Dietrich.

The V12 Twin Six was marketed for the upper class and continued Packard's tradition of creating large, powerful, stylish, and luxurious automobiles. This series was announced on June 23rd of 1931.

Packard weathered through the Great Depression in better form than some other marques because it was in good financial standing and had a good cash position. By the close of the 1930s, Franklin, Marmon, Ruxton, Stutz, Peerless, Duesenberg, Stearns-Knight, and Pierce-Arrow had all gone out of business.

The Senior Packard cars for which Dietrich Inc created custom bodies, were known as 'V-Windshield custom Dietrichs'. The standard Packard cars were constructed on 142-inch wheelbases. The Dietrich Individual customers sat atop of a 174.5-inch wheelbase.

This 1932 Packard Twin Six Sport Phaeton with coachwork by Dietrich, Inc., was offered for sale at the 2007 RM Auctions held in Amelia Island, Florida. The car was estimated to sell between $1,750,000 - $2,000,000. It is powered by a 445 cubic-inch side valve V12 engine with Stromberg downdraft carburetion and is capable of producing 160 horsepower. There is a three-speed synchromesh gearbox and four-wheel adjustable vacuum-assisted brakes. The elegant Sport Phaeton body sits atop a 147.5-inch wheelbase.

This vehicle has a rear windshield that is activated by a mechanism that can raise or lower it from its hidden compartment. Once in the raise position, a pair of side wings swing out and hook into place. Even in the raised position, the doors can be opened or closed.

The original owner of this vehicle is unknown. It is believed that around twelve vehicles, at most, were ever constructed with the sport phaeton body. Of the seven that have made it into the modern era, only five were constructed on the larger chassis. Two were built in 1932.

At the auction, this was one of the highlights of the show. It had a selling price of $1,650,000.

By Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2007