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1932 Packard Model 906 Twin Six Convertible Sedan

  • Coachwork by Dietrich
  • Chassis Number: 900104
  • Engine Number: 900116
  • Body Number: 5455
  • Registration Number: Vehicle No: 906-5
In the early teens of the 20th century, Packard would introduce the first V12 engine. It would be called the Twin Six because of the twin rows of six cylinders. However, the twin six would give way and would be lost for about a decade until pressure from the competition forced Packard's hand. In 1932, the Twin Six would be back.

Packard was, in every sense of the word, refined. It was all about luxury and the ride, not the performance. Everything about Packard was simply elegant, not overly dramatic, and, in more ways than one, understated.

The early Twix Six had set a benchmark. By the early 1930s, other manufacturers were building sixteen-cylinder engines and other powerful behemoths that Packard's straight-eight engine just couldn't match. Furthermore, the Great Depression was taking its toll on just about everyone, including Packard. Packard was still perhaps America's finest luxury car manufacturer. However, the terrible economic conditions were hurting sales. The company not only needed a car that could compete with the competition. They needed a car that was memorable with the public, and therefore, desirous enough to help Packard's sales. Therefore, the company would bring back its Twin Six, which had been a very popular model back in the teens.

At the time they introduced the V12, the Twin Six name was understandable. Six-cylinder engines were understandable. However, by the 1930s, with such large engines making an appearance, the Twin Six name would be rather confusing. Therefore, the Twin Six name would last just one year. And that year would be 1932.

One of those 1932 Packard Twin Six automobiles would be chassis 900104. However, this particular chassis would not exist, at one time, as it does now. Mr. Robert Bahre is perhaps best known within motor racing circles. An owner of a number of tracks throughout New England, Mr. Bahre would also debut the New Hampshire International Speedway in June of 1990. Quickly, this track would be considered a favorite among IndyCar and NASCAR ranks. But while best known for motor racing, Mr. Bahre is also passionate about Packards, and, in particular, those Individual Customs designed by Raymond Dietrich.

Raymond Dietrich would be a very talented designer who would co-found LeBaron with Thomas Hibbard. However, when Hibbard left for Paris, Dietrich would establish a new firm bearing his own name, Dietrich Inc. While well-respected for his talents, Dietrich's perhaps greatest, and most lasting legacy would be the custom bodies he would produce for Packard.

Mr. Bahre would come to own one of these custom bodies in 1981. He would purchase a Dietrich Individual Custom Convertible Sedan from Harrah's Automobile Collection. However, the body would be, at the time, mounted to a 904 Super Eight chassis. Mr. Bahre really wanted a Custom Packard Twelve. Bob Adams would help in the quest. He actually owned a Twin Six chassis. This is just what Bahre was looking for. He would purchase both cars and would set to work.

Steve Gunder would be tasked with removing the custom body from the Super Eight chassis. Amazingly, the body would be void of any major damage or wear and this enabled Gunder to save all of the original body panels. The chassis, engine, and drivetrain would be tuned and tweaked and mated to the body.

Nearing completion, the car would be finished in Packard Maroon and plum soft leather in the interior. Dietrich was well known for creating convertible designs that looked as good with the top up as down and this would be no exception.

Bearing no name other than Twin Six, the car is immediately recognizable as a Packard and a Dietrich custom. Even after thirty years with Mr. Bahre, the 1932 Packard Twin Six Individual Custom Convertible Sedan remains a presence that needs no introduction. Just the experience of being in its presence says it all.

Sources:
'Lot No. 135: 1932 Packard Twin Six Individual Custom Convertible Sedan by Dietrich', (http://www.rmauctions.com/lots/lot.cfm?lot_id=1063842). RM Auctions. http://www.rmauctions.com/lots/lot.cfm?lot_id=1063842. Retrieved 10 February 2014.

'1932 Packard Model 905 Twin Six News, Pictures, Specifications and Information', (http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z10293/Packard-Model-905-Twin-Six.aspx). Conceptcarz.com: From Concept to Production. http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z10293/Packard-Model-905-Twin-Six.aspx. Retrieved 10 February 2014.

By Jeremy McMullen

2018 RM Sothebys : Hershey

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $600,000-USD $750,000 
Lot was not sold

2014 RM Auctions - Amelia Island

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $900,000-USD $1,200,000 
Sale Price :
USD $840,000

1932 Packard Model 906 Twin Six Auction Sales

Recent Sales of the Packard Model 906 Twin Six

(Data based on Model Year 1932 sales)
1932 Packard Twin Six Individual Custom Convertible Sedan by Dietrich
Chassis#: 900245
Sold for USD$1,050,000
  2021 RM Sothebys : Monterey
1932 Packard Model 906 Twin Six image  1932 Packard Model 906 Twin Six image  
1932 Packard Twin Six Individual Custom Sport Phaeton in the style of Dietrich
Chassis#: 900362
Sold for USD$374,000
  2018 RM Sothebys : Fort Lauderdale
1932 Packard Model 906 Twin Six image  1932 Packard Model 906 Twin Six image  
1932 Packard Twin Six Individual Custom Sport Phaeton in the style of Dietrich
Chassis#: 900 362
Sold for USD$440,000
  2015 RM Sotheby's Hershey Auction
1932 Packard Model 906 Twin Six image  1932 Packard Model 906 Twin Six image  
1932 Packard Twin Six Individual Custom Convertible Sedan by Dietrich
Chassis#: 900104
Sold for USD$840,000
  2014 RM Auctions - Amelia Island
1932 Packard Model 906 Twin Six image  1932 Packard Model 906 Twin Six image  
1932 Packard Individual Custom Eight Convertible Coupe
Chassis#: 194206
Sold for USD$313,500
  2012 RM Auctions - Monterey
 
1932 Packard Individual Custom Twin Six Sport Phaeton
Chassis#: 900331
Sold for USD$946,000
  2012 RM Auctions - Monterey
1932 Packard Model 906 Twin Six image  1932 Packard Model 906 Twin Six image  
1932 Packard Model 906 Twin Six
Sold for USD$1,650,000
  2007 Vintage Motor Cars at Amelia Island
1932 Packard Model 906 Twin Six image  1932 Packard Model 906 Twin Six image  
1932 PACKARD 906 DIETRICH SPORT PHAETON
Sold for USD$275,000
  2007 Barrett-Jackson - Scottsdale 2007
 

Packard Model 906 Twin Sixs That Failed To Sell At Auction

1932 Packard Model 906 Twin Six's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
VehicleChassisEventHigh BidEst. LowEst. High
1932 Packard Twin Six Individual Custom Sport Phaeton by Dietrich9003312019 RM Sothebys : Monterey $750,000$950,000
1932 Packard Twin Six Individual Custom Convertible Sedan by Dietrich9001042018 RM Sothebys : Hershey $600,000$750,000
1932 Packard Twin Six 906 Individual Custom Convertible Sedan9002452017 Gooding & Co. : Scottsdale, AZ   
1932 Packard Dual Cowl Phaeton 2013 Mecum Auctions Monterey$500,000  
1932 Packard Twin Six 906 Sport Phaeton Dietrich Style 2012 Leake Auctions Tulsa$295,000  

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1932 Packard Model 906 Twin Six

Additional valuation insight and sales data
History
Specifications
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Other Packard Model 906 Twin Six model years

1932 Packard Model 906 Twin Six Vehicle Profiles

1932 Packard Model 906 Twin Six vehicle information
Sport Phaeton
Coachwork: Dietrich
1932 Packard Model 906 Twin Six vehicle information
Sport Phaeton
Coachwork: Dietrich
1932 Packard Model 906 Twin Six vehicle information
Convertible Sedan
Coachwork: Dietrich
1932 Packard Model 906 Twin Six vehicle information
Convertible Sedan
Coachwork: Dietrich
1932 Packard Model 906 Twin Six vehicle information
Convertible Sedan
Coachwork: Dietrich
1932 Packard Model 906 Twin Six vehicle information
Sport Phaeton
Coachwork: Dietrich
Chassis #: 900331
Engine #: 900362
1932 Packard Model 906 Twin Six vehicle information
Convertible Sedan
Coachwork: Dietrich
Chassis #: 900245
Engine #: 900229
1932 Packard Model 906 Twin Six vehicle information
Sedan Limiousine
Chassis #: 900362
Engine #: 900 353
1932 Packard Model 906 Twin Six vehicle information
Convertible Sedan
Coachwork: Dietrich
Chassis #: 900104
Engine #: 900116