1931 Packard Model 845 Convertible Victoria

Entering the 1930s, Packard attempted to beat the stock market crash and subsequent Great Depression by manufacturing fine automobiles that were even more luxurious. While the Series Eight Sedan had been the company's top seller for years, the Twin Six was introduced in 1932, with prices starting at $3,650, equal to $65,490 today. In 1933, it was renamed the Packard Twelve, a name it retained through 1939.

In 1931, Packard pioneered a system called Ride Control, which made the hydraulic shocks adjustable from inside the car.

As an independent automaker, Packard did not have the luxury of a larger corporate structure absorbing its losses, as Cadillac did with General Motors and Lincoln with Ford. However, Packard did have a better cash position than other independent luxury marques. We would see Peerless cease production in 1932, changing the Cleveland manufacturing plant from producing cars to brewing beer. By 1938, Franklin, Marmon, Ruxton, Stearns-Knight, Stutz, Duesenberg, and Pierce-Arrow had all closed.

The 845 was the flagship of the Packard lineup for 1931. It was originally intended for limousines and seven-passenger sedans. However, when sales were down, Rollston built a few Convertible Victorias on the 845 Series chassis. It is reported that just six of these Victoria Convertible Sedans were produced, with just three currently known to exist.