1938 Packard 1608 Twelve Touring Cabriolet

A new V-12 Packard model was introduced in 1932, powered by a 67-degree V-block displacing 445 cubic inches. Named the Twin Six, its name was changed the following year to simply Packard Twelve. Two years later, the engine displacement rose to 473.3 cubic-inch producing 175 horsepower. The Twelve received a coil-spring independent front suspension and hydraulic brakes in 1937.

Packard offered a range of standard bodies along with a number of styles from coachbuilders, among them Dietrich, LeBaron, Rollston, and Brunn.

Hermann Brunn was a Buffalo, New York-based coachbuilder who, in 1935, designed a long-wheelbase landaulet-type body with an open chauffeur compartment, which he called a cabriolet. It became a part of the Lincoln catalogue for 1937, and the Packard lineup in 1938. It was available in both the all-weather cabriolet, with a removable leather roof for the chauffeur, or the touring cabriolet with a fixed forward roof. Both styles were offered in collapsible form, with a folding rear top and functional landau irons, and non-collapsible with a fixed rear roof and faux landau irons.

No more than 10 examples were built in 1938 and 1939 on Lincoln and Packard chassis. It is believed that only nine Brunn-bodied examples were built between 1938 and 1939, and this particular example is one built in 1938.

This Packard Twelve Touring Cabriolet by Brunn is equipped with the Packard Deluxe heater, Packard Deluxe radio, heater with accessory rear speaker, trunk rack, Trippe driving lights, and dual side mounts with metal covers. It has been given new tires, a fuel tank, hoses, a water pump, and a rebuilt carburetor.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2020