1935 Packard Twelve

Production of Packard's first V-12, the Twin Six, ended after 1923, replaced by a smaller Single Eight, which outperformed it. During the late 1920s and early 1930s, the cylinder wars continued to escalate. Cadillac introduced a V-16 in 1930, followed shortly by Marmon, and despite the Great Depression ravaging luxury car sales, Packard responded with another V-12. The new engine had no resemblance to the old, and with a 445.5 cubic-inch displacement, it was larger than its predecessor, and with a 67-degree vee, it was wider. The old engine offered 90 horsepower while the new was rated at 160 bhp. The all-new Packard Twin Six was introduced in 1932, later renamed 'Packard Twelve.' Although it was never a high-volume production, the Twelve sold well despite the Great Depression.

The Packard Twin Six was introduced in January of 1932, with 22 body styles offered and prices ranging from $3,745 to $7,950. Fewer than 550 V-12 cars were sold during the model year, and nearly the same was sold the following year, with 540 cars built.

The market improved in 1934, and sales nearly doubled. All Packards received new, more streamlined bodies in 1935, and the Twelve received aluminum heads and a quarter-inch of stroke. Along with an improving economy, Packard had - for the first time in their history - issued a bulletin to dealers, along with press releases to the media, that its Twelfth Series, introduced on August 30, 1934, would also be known as 1935 models. Prior to this, Packards models were introduced at various times throughout the calendar year. This means that only Packards manufactured after August of 1934 are referred to by their designated model year. Packard had switched to this labeling method to comply with President Roosevelt's request that automobile announcements be as early in the fall as possible to help stabilize and reduce unemployment during the winter months. Another reason was that Packard was a member of the Automobile Manufacturers Association and favored holding the new auto show in November rather than in January.

Along with new streamlined bodies introduced for 1935, Packard began offering a new low-priced One Twenty model, a first for the marque. Nevertheless, Packard remained the leader in luxury automobiles with the Twelve being the highest form of luxury in the Packard model hierarchy. Each completed example was quality checked by the factory and then given a 250-mile run on the Packard test track in Utica, driven by Col. Jesse Vincent's brother Charles before delivery.

The Twelfth Series, Packard Twelve consisted of the 1206, 1207, and 1208. The Model 1206 was a short-wheelbase sedan with a wheelbase measuring 132.5 inches. The 1207 rested on a 139.25-inch platform and was offered in ten body styles, with the All-Weather Cabriolet by LeBaron being the only custom design. The Model 1208 had the longest wheelbase, measuring 144.25 inches, and offered in five body styles, including the All-Weather Town Car being built by LeBaron. Prices ranged from the high $3,000 to over $6,400. The 473.3 cubic-inch V-12 engine offered 175 horsepower and was backed by a three-speed selective transmission. Braking was employed by mechanical vacuum-assisted brakes on all four wheels.

Total 1935 for the V-12 Packard reached 788 examples.

Packard Twin Six
The Packard Twin Six was built in 1932, and the following year it became the Packard Twelve and would remain in production through 1939. When introduced in 1932, the Ninth Series Twin Six was offered with either a 142.5-inch platform in the Series 905 and a 147.5-inch platform in the Series 906. The 67-degree L-head Twelve-cylinder engine had a cast-iron monobloc, four main bearings, a Stromberg/Duplex carburetor, aluminum alloy pistons, and a 445.5 cubic-inch displacement. It was backed by a three-speed selective synchromesh transmission with a double plate clutch and outer floor-cane controls. Mechanical brakes at all four corners provided the stopping power. Freewheeling controls were on the steering column. Three hundred eleven examples of the Series 905 and 238 of the 906 were built that year.

Packard Twelve (1933 - 1939)
Packard's twelve-cylinder production was exclusive and was essentially a means of remaining relevant in the ultra-luxury segment. While Packard explored its ability to compete at the highest levels of the automotive market, it simultaneously tested the lower and perhaps more lucrative mid-market segment with the Light Eight. Retaining the prestige and build quality of the 'senior' Packard line, the Light Eight was priced slightly lower than its siblings, which proved to be its Achilles Heel. Had it been priced much lower, it may have remained in production longer. Instead, it was built for less than a year. Packard would explore the lower-priced market segment again in 1935, and this time they would succeed. Their 'low' priced Packard One Twenty became so successful, that it eventually prompted the company to move even further downmarket with the introduction of a six-cylinder model.

By the close of the 1930s, Packard had found success with its lower-priced models, the market had changed significantly, and Packard's twelve-cylinder was nearing the end of its lifespan. The company had proven capable of competing in the multi-cylinder arena, with vehicles endowed with imposing scale and grand proportions.

Packard twelve-cylinder production
1932 Packard Twin Six: 549 (introduced January 1932)
1933 Packard Twelve: 520 (introduced January 1933)
1934 Packard Twelve: 960 (introduced August 1933)
1935 Packard Twelve: 788 (introduced August 1934)
1936 Packard Twelve: 682 (introduced August 1935)
1937 Packard Twelve: 1,300 (introduced September 1936)
1938 Packard Twelve: 566 (introduced September 1937)
1939 Packard Twelve: 446 (introduced September 1938)

Total: 5,811

In comparison, Duesenberg produced 445 examples of its Model J and 36 Model SJ (481 total) between 1928 and 1937. 4,076 examples of the Cadillac's V-16 model were built from 1930 through 1940. Approximately 390 examples of the Marmon Sixteen were built from 1931 through 1933.

by Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2020