1934 Packard 1108 Twelve Convertible Victoria

The Packard Twelve is considered to be one of the finest automobiles produced by Packard and one of the most significant creations of the Classic Era. From 1933 to 1930 over 335,000 examples were produced, and most of these Twelves received factory bodies. Just a handful received custom coachwork by such greats as LeBaron and Dietrich.

The individual custom Convertible Victorias was introduced in 1932 and featured the unique V-shaped windscreen and wraparound cowl in the driver's cabin. Another unique feature includes the teardrop-style fenders which required a significant amount of body tub modifications in order to allow the fenders to be fitted. Dual rear-mounted spare tires and the gas tank would also require extensive modifications. The V-windshield allows a wraparound interior cowl that drops down with a smooth curved line that carries on to the doors. The windows roll down completely to continue the sweep, whether the windows are up or down. This is the only Dietrich body car to feature vent windows.

As was usual for the time several bodies were built at the same time and only trimmed, upholstered, and painted at the time of purchase. It is thought at least 10 - 12 individual custom Convertible Victorias were built for the 1932 - 1934 Twelve chassis and this car is considered the last of that short run.

This car is one of four extant Dietrich Individual Custom convertible victorias on this Packard Eleventh Series Twelve chassis line of 1934. It has the 'false hood', the vee'd windshield, curvaceous fenders, tapered fenders, full 'skirts' over the rear wheels, streamlined running boards, and cowls that sweep elegantly back into the doors.

The Packard Twelve 445.5 cubic-inch engine produced 160 horsepower, plus a mighty 322 lb-ft of torque which peaked at only 1,400 RPM. It was one of the fastest cars you could buy for the money. There were very few, if any, cars that could challenge its title, 'Boss of the Road.'

The Packard Twelve was built 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 Era. Most of the Packard Twelves received factory bodies; only a handful received custom coachwork by such greats as LeBaron and Dietrich. This unique example has semi-custom features including the distinctive Raymond Dietrich-styled teardrop fenders. Dietrich used a Custom Victoria body as a starting point for the design, which was built by Packard as an in-house specialist.

It is believed that this vehicle was part of the company's 'Traveling Salon,' a group of show cars that made appearances in various venues between Detroit and New York. While it was at the Pittsburgh Auto Show, it was seen by an 11-year-old Edward J. Blend, who sketched the car quickly and saved the sketch.

At the close of the tour, the car was acquired by Richard LaCosta II, who had it brought to Puerto Rico. After LaCosta's passing, the car was sold and put into service as a taxi cab, finished in red and yellow. It was subsequently abandoned at Ramey Air Force Base in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, and from there was returned to the United States in the early 1960s. It is believed that it was then imported by Patrick G. Young, an airman from Tilton, New Hampshire, who sold it on August 27th of 1968 to Paul Baughman of Akron, Ohio.

Baughman contacted Ed Blend, who remembered the car from the Pittsburgh Auto Show. After Baughman's ownership, the Packard was acquired by John Wheatley from Tulsa, Oklahoma, who kept it for nearly 30 years and began its restoration. In 1996 it was acquired by Dale Adams, who continued the restoration before selling it in 2012 to its current caretaker. A full restoration was commissioned and over 14,000 hours were spent at two restoration shops. It has since received numerous national awards and participated in several tours.

Restoration began in the spring of 2012, took more than 14,000 hours, and was completed in 2013.

In 2013, it won Best of Show at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. It was again judged Best in Class and Best of Show at the 2016 Concours d'Elegance of America at St. John's, and was Best in Class at the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance in the same year.