1934 Packard 1101 Eight Coupe Roadster

The silver and red Packard shown with chassis number 378583 was offered for sale at the 2006 Worldwide Group Auction held on Hilton Head Island. It was expected to fetch between $175,000-$225,000. Its beautiful body sits atop a 142-inch wheelbase which is powered by a 445 cubic-inch V-12 engine that produces 160 horsepower. The average 4500-pound Packard Twelve could run from zero-to-sixty in just over twenty seconds. For 1934 Packard offered 11 semi-custom body styles with a twelve-cylinder engine. The silver and red example has undergone a body-off-frame restoration. It has won its class at Meadow Brook. It has also been awarded a 1st in AACA, AACA Junior, and AACA Senior. At the conclusion of the auction, the Packard 1101 Coupe had been sold for $176,000.

In 1932 Packard offered their Twin Six model which was basically two six-cylinder engines formed to make a 12-cylinder unit. Packard had poised this series to compete with the 16-cylinder Cadillacs and Marmon's. The 445.5 cubic-inch Packard engine produced 160 horsepower and was certified by the company to reach 100 mph. A certification signed by two-time Indy 500 winner Tommy Milton and the director of Packard's Proving Ground, Mr. Charlie Vincent, stated that the car had been driven 250 miles and met with Packard's standard of quality.

For 1933 Packard produced the Twelve Tenth-Series which was given an improved chassis. It was available in eleven body styles and sat atop a 142-inch wheelbase. The 147-inch wheelbase was reserved for custom coachwork. There were also eight Dietrich and LeBaron-bodied Individual Customs.

In 1934 Packard introduced the Eleventh Series Twelve which was produced from 1933 through 1934.

By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2007