1931 Packard Model 845 Convertible Roadster

Two examples of the Style No. 3410 Convertible Roadster by Derham were built on the Packard 845 chassis. The Derham Body Company of Rosemont, Pennsylvania were skilled craftsmen who built everything from formal limousines to sporting bodies. The Convertible Roadsters had a long hood and rear deck line and a rather low windshield with small top and side windows. This example has a crank-operated top which was a feature not found on all Derham Convertible Roadsters. It also has dual rear-mounted spares and chrome hood doors.

This example was ordered by the Packard Washington Motor Car Company of Washington, D.C., with the body alone costing $2,000. It was finished in Black with Ronan's Perfect Red Extra Pale window reveals, wheels, chassis, and gas tank. The interior was done in Blanchard & Lane Devon Grain leather. The top and rear spare covers are done in waterproof black mohair.

Shortly after arriving at Packard Washington, it was acquired by its first owner on November 28th of 1930. By 1954 it was in the care of Anthony Fiocco of Westlake, Ohio. Around 1960 it was acquired by Julian Eccles of Oregon, in whose ownership it was restored in the early 1980s and displayed at the 1982 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. It was offered from Eccles' estate in 1987 and ultimately sold to James Weston of San Francisco, who exhibited it as a display-only entrant at Pebble Beach in 1999. It remained with Mr. Weston until his passing, and shortly after it was acquired by the current owners. It was then given a meticulously researched restoration using the original colors and upholstery described in the detailed Derham build records.

In 2018 it made its third trip to the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, where it was aptly awarded Best in Class in the Packard Class.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2019

The Eighth Series Packard Deluxe Eights, introduced on August 14, 1930, were almost exclusively bodied with large touring-style coachwork. The cars were largely carryovers from the Seventh Series with myriad detail changes. Most significantly, the big 384.8cid straight-eight, mated to a 4-speed manual transmission, was now rated at 120hp. The Packard lineup encompassed an impressive choice of 23 body types with the Series 845 models offering Packard's longest wheelbase of 145 inches. Eighth Series production was curtailed early due to the June 17, 1931 introduction of the return of the Twin-Six models as well as the new medium-priced Light Eight. Regardless, the Series 845 models were produced in limited numbers. The shortened model run and the limited production of Series 845 models, no doubt add to the desirability of the Eighth Series cars today among collectors and Packard aficionados.

This example, a Derham-bodied convertible, is one of only two similar cars that exist today. It was delivered to the Packard dealership in Washington, D.C., with a number of special features, including a crank-down top similar to those found on the Walker-LaGrande Duesenbergs, which added approximately $100 to the price tag. Other unique features are the dual rear-mounted spares and chrome hood doors that added to the car's sporty nature. 2018 was the car's third visit to Pebble Beach, having been previously shown in 1982 and 1999. The current owner bought the car in 2017 and has just restored its striking livery as specified by the Derham records.