1937 Packard 1507 Twelve Roadster Coupe

The 1937 Packard Fifteenth Series Twelve coupe roadster was a two-passenger convertible built on the 139-inch wheelbase 1507 chassis. Styling elements included the tapered headlights, rounded fenders, and a raked and painted radiator shell. The 473.3 cubic-inch L-head twelve-cylinder engine with a single Stromberg EE-3 carburetor produced 175 horsepower at 3,200 RPM and was paired with a three-speed manual transmission. At the front was a Safe-T-FleX independent suspension, while the rear had a live rear axle. Hydraulic drum brakes at all four corners provided the stopping power. The chassis was modernized with smaller steel wheels.

By this point in history, Packard had begun to recover from the doldrums of earlier in the decade, with the company's fortunes resurrected by volume production of the Junior models. Sales topped out at 122,500 cars for the year, and while the mid-priced models bolstered the balance sheet, the Twelve continued to serve as Packard's flagship model offered to prominent and wealthy customers. Despite its prestigious image, a mere 1,300 examples in all body styles were produced, representing a tiny fraction of Packard's annual output.

The known history of this Packard Twelve Coupe Roadster begins in 1967, when historian Bob Supina recorded it in the ownership of Walt Dietzel of Shawnee, Oklahoma. The Packard, at the time, was noted to be in original condition and a restoration was soon forthcoming. It also had a full trunk rather than a rumble seat, as usually found and as presently configured.

The Packard was eventually restored by Fran Roxas and finished to its present appearance. It wears a Fifteenth Series shade called Almond Green, with a beige leather interior. The car retains what is believed to be its original vehicle number tag on the firewall, and there are dual side-mounted spares with metal covers and mirrors, a rear luggage rack, and subtle 'feathered bail' radiator cap.

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2024