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1938 Packard 1608 Twelve

The Packard Twelve of the 1930s was the company's second series of V-12 engines, with the first - the Twin Six - entering production in 1916 and built-in quantities of approximately 4,000 units annually until the post-WWI depression reduced demand to uneconomical levels, bringing production to an end in 1923. During that time, over 35,000 examples rolled out of the factory. Packard then turned to straight-eights, but eight years later, returned to the twelve. The escalating multi-cylinder wars of the early 1930s induced Packard to introduce a V-12 in 1932, again called the Twin Six at its introduction. In 1933, its nomenclature was simplified to Twelve and production continued until 1939. Due to the Great Depression and the plethora of alternatives within the market, production was consistently low, with a total of 5,809 produced meaning the yearly average was 726 units. 1937 was the highest production year with 1,300 units built, followed by 960 in 1934, 788 in 1935, 682 in 1936, and 566 in 1938. The lowest year was its final year, with just 446 examples being built.

Befitting the top-of-the-line Packard model, the Twelve was exclusive and expensive and wore both catalog and custom coachwork with many of its chassis features shared with the Super Eight. The smooth, powerful, whisper-quiet, and refined 67-degree twelve-cylinder engine with a cast-iron monobloc, utilized a unique modified L-head valve layout, and its original displacement measured 445.5 cubic inches. With a 1/2-inch longer stroke in 1935, displacement increased to 473 cubic inches, and along with aluminum cylinder heads, output increased by fifteen to an advertised 175 horsepower. The engines were backed by a three-speed selective synchromesh manual transmission with a twelve-inch single-plate vacuum clutch with vacuum assistance and floor shift controls. Stopping power was by four-wheel power-assisted hydraulic drum brakes, and the suspension was independent in the front with coil springs, while the rear used a live axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs.

The Packard automobiles were renowned for their majestic elegance and impressive performance, and since the Twelve - the most prestigious of Packards - would transport presidents, royals, dictators, movie moguls, and business titans around the globe, every example produced underwent a 250-mile road test at Packard's Utica, Michigan test track before delivery. Approximately half of Packard's employees were dedicated to building the few thousand 'Senior' Super Eight and Twelve models issued each year, while the other half built more than ten times as many 'Junior' Packards.

Packard introduced all-new bodies for 1935 with true envelope-type styling with the body, fenders, running boards, and hood integrated into an elegantly flowing design.

For 1938, the Packard Twelve was offered in two lines consisting of the Series 1607 resting on a 134-inch wheelbase and the 1608 built atop a 139-inch wheelbase platform. The Series 1607 carried seven production body styles and the All-Weather Cabriolet by Rollston. Prices ranged from $4,135 to $5,320 for the factory bodies and $6,730 for the Rollston coachwork.

Befitting the larger platform of the Series 1608, most of the bodies had seven-passenger seating. The Touring Sedan had a base price of $4,485, the Sedan Limousine was priced at $4,690, and the Convertible Sedan (with seating for five) at $5,390. The All-Wether Town Car by Rollston was priced at $6,880. Both the All-Weather Cabriolet and Touring Cabriolet were built by Brunn and listed for $8,500. The Brunn coachwork was similar to the Dietrich-designed convertible sedan shell but fitted with Brunn's own exclusive four-door bodies, with door latches at the rear. They had a new vee'd windshield, hood, and grille with three adjustable cooling louvers along both sides of the hood, along with a new instrument panel.

The Hermann Brunn bodies could be customized with collapsible rear quarters with or without decorative irons. The roof section between the B and C pillars was solid, but since they were full-customs, it is likely that they could have been made convertible had such an order materialized. These bodies were built in Brunn's facilities in Buffalo, New York where the final assembly of the cars took place. Packard shipped the running chassis to Buffalo with a soapbox driver's seat in place and paid Brunn $150 for mounting the bodies. Many of the Brunn Touring Cabriolets were sold by California Packard distributor Earl C. Anthony.

The forward compartment of the Brunn coachwork was completed in high-grade leather, and the tonneau was constructed from a variety of quality materials. Cloth material was used for the rear seats.

Brunn had always worked closely with Lincoln, but it does not appear that the 'Packard Brunn bodies' were cataloged by Lincoln, though Edsel Ford ordered a variation of the style on a Lincoln Series K for his own personal use. It is believed that no more than 10 Brunn-bodied Touring Cabriolets were built per year in 1938 and 1939 on Lincoln and Packard chassis. (It is also believed that there were only nine Brunn-bodied examples built between 1938 and 1939, with as few as four in 1938.)

The New York-based Rollston-bodied formal town cars were also designed to be driven by a chauffeur who rode exposed to the elements, in the style of the horse-drawn carriages. To help reduce costs, Packard sent Rollston its own touring limousine bodies, which were then modified by Rollston with padded formal rooflines, open front seats, and fine interior trim. It is believed that three examples remain in existence.

The Convertible sedan wore styling designed by Dietrich and it is believed that just six examples remain in existence (it is believed that fewer than thirty examples were built). The 1938 design was little changed from 1937, continuing to offer seating for five under a low-slung roof. The rear-seat passengers had a commanding view of the road with either top up or down, and the lavish and well-appointed vehicle provided luxurious accommodations for both front and rear occupants.

The 1935 through 1939 Packard Twelve represents the highest level of evolution of the company's multi-cylinder senior cars. Its ultimate demise was attributed to numerous factors including the Great Depression and a changing world that increasingly focused on volume production. Hand-built quality was growing less relevant and certainly less viable economically, signaling an end to the fine craftsmanship and the ultra-exclusive Packard 'Senior' Twelve. Just 566 examples were built in 1938 and 446 in its final year of 1939.

by Dan Vaughan

Phaeton by Derham
Engine number: A600110

Packard introduced its Sixteenth Series Super Eight and Twelve models in September 1937. Most changes were cosmetic including more rounded fenders and vee'd windshields on many bodies. Packard sales totaled 48,682 units for 1938, less than 1937, but still the best showing of all the independents. Just 556 V-12 models would bear 1938 registration. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who favored Packard's, got a new custom-built one enabling him easier access necessitated by polio. His car included something revolutionary at the time - air conditioning.

By 1938, production of the Packard Twelve had dwindled to only 556 cars - and this was spread over 14 different models. The price of this custom-built Packard was in excess of $5,000.

This open Packard without windows features custom coachwork by the Derham Company of Rosemont, Pennsylvania. The Derham Body Company would become America's longest-surviving coachbuilder producing custom bodies from 1887 to 1974. Derham had a reputation for building fine, enclosed carriages and coaches during the horse-drawn era and the company quite naturally, turned to automobile bodies after the turn of the century.

This car was built for Matthew McCloskey, a prominent Philadelphia construction mogul who was appointed ambassador to Ireland by President Kennedy. This vehicle was built on Packard's 139-inch wheelbase chassis and powered by the 473.3 cubic-inch Packard Twelve that developed 175 horsepower. This vehicle is one of the final examples of one-off coachwork and one of the last true phaetons built on a twelve-cylinder Packard chassis. The completed product was beautifully finished with handmade hardware, a slim chrome-plated one-piece windshield, a folding rear armrest, and a flush-folding top. The Phaeton was later exhibited by Harry Resnick in his motor museum in Ellenville, New York, and after passing through the hands of Tom Barrett III and Ed Weaver, was eventually purchased by Charles B. C. Gillet, whose storied history included stints as a U.S. Navy frogman and an editor of MotorTrend. He had the car meticulously refinished and exhibited it at events all over the country.

Convertible Sedan by Dietrich
Chassis number: 600583
Engine number: A-600583

The Packard Twelve was the company's top-of-the-line automobile and many people believe the signature car of the Classic Era. It was a conservative automobile with elegant appointments and a refined chassis powered by a quiet 12-cylinder powerplant.

During this era, the cylinder war was in full swing, as was the Great Depression. However, the development of Packard's Twelve began years prior, dating back to the Cord L-29 and the Miller-engines front-drive race cars. Packard's management entertained the idea of the front-drive vehicle and commissioned the construction of a prototype. A 12-cylinder engine was also created for this new car, as the shorter length of a V-12, compared with Packard's inline eight, allowed more flexibility in packaging the front-drive chassis.

After testing revealed weakness with the front-drive chassis design, and development costs skyrocketed, Packard decided to abandon the project. Meanwhile, Cadillac had introduced their mighty 16- and 12-cylinder models, igniting a frenzy that would ripple throughout the automotive industry. Packard's response was to install their new 12-cylinder engine into Packard's proven Deluxe Eight chassis. When introduced, Packard dubbed their new creation the Twin Six, in honor of Packard's first V-12 which had been introduced 15 years earlier. By 1933, the name had been changed to the Packard Twelve. 1933 was also the last year for Packards to have flowing fenders and classic lines before switching to the streamlined look.

The Twelve displaced an additional 49 cubic inches or 12% more than the Twin Six, the horsepower output was nearly doubled from 90 to 175. Packard's Twelve would remain as their prestige leader through the end of the 1930s, along the way gradually adopting more streamlined styling with full pontoon fenders and bullet-like headlights.

This Convertible Sedan is a 17th series car from 1938. It is reportedly one of fewer than 30 built and is one of five known survivors. Its history has been traced to Russell Nairn, who reportedly bought the car after many years as a touring car for its earlier owner. Nairn later sold the Packard to Thomas Lehmann, of Germany. Lehmann began the restoration with a shop in Wisconsin, selling the car to a collector in Iowa while work was underway. The body-off restoration was completed after many years in April of 2004. The car then traded hands again and was shown several times regionally. In the fall of 2006, it was acquired by John O'Quinn.

The car is finished in black with a corrected buttoned red leather interior and ivory steering wheel, and a black Haartz cloth top.

In 2013, this car was offered for sale at RM Auctions Scottsdale, Arizona sale. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $132,000 inclusive of the buyer's premium.

by Dan Vaughan

Convertible Sedan by Dietrich

Packard was the first automaker to manufacture a 12-cylinder car, and between 1915 and 1923 more than 35,000 of them rolled out of the factory. Packard then turned to straight-eights, but eight years later, when Cadillac announced that it would make a V16, Packard decided to counter with another V12. The Packard V12 of 1915 had been called the Twin Six, and this name was revived for the new car, which had a 160 horsepower, 445 cubic-inch engine with banks of cylinders at 67 degrees. The Twin Six name was used for just the 1932 season, after which, the cars were called simply Packard Twelves. The current owner of this example purchased it as a 'basket case' in 2006. Parts for the car were scattered around several locations in the Akron, Ohio area. The restoration took almost three years to complete. This car is the 22nd of 25 built in 1938.

Only 25 twelve-cylinder convertible sedans were built by Packard in 1939 and only nine or ten remain today.

Touring Cabriolet by Brunn

Packard's most expensive cataloged models were the two Brunn Cabriolets, both of which had base price tags of $8,510. The vehicles, though similar to the Dietrich-designed convertible sedan shell, used Brunn's own exclusive 4-door bodies, with all doors latching to the rear.

These units were built in Brunn's own plant in Buffalo, NY where the final assembly of the beautiful cars took place. They could be ordered with collapsible rear quarters with or without decorative irons. The roof portion between the B and C-pillars was always solid, but on a full-custom basis probably could have also been convertible, had such an order materialized.

The forward compartment was always done in high-grade leather, while a variety of quality materials was available for the tonneau. Although Brunn had always worked closely with Lincoln, it does not seem that this particular body was even cataloged by that company, though Edsel Ford ordered a variation of the style for his own personal use on a Lincoln Series K.

This vehicle has leather front seats, cloth rear seats, and folding/collapsible rear.

Convertible Coupe
Chassis number: 11392020

In 1938, Packard offered the Twelve with 14 different body styles and constructed 566 in various configurations.

This Packard Twelve Convertible Coupe was delivered new by Thompson Motor Co., Ltd. in Beverly Hills, California in June of 1938. In 2002, it was acquired by its current owner and has resided in Seattle. The owner commissioned a shop in Pennsylvania to perform a cosmetic restoration which included a full repaint and installation of fresh upholstery. Finished in Chinese Red, the exterior is complemented by the reupholstered Red leather interior and rumble seat and newer Tan cloth top. It is equipped with a trunk rack, radio, heater, turn signals, Trippe lights, and dual enclosed side-mounts with metal covers and mirrors.

Landavlet Touring Cabriolet by Brunn
Chassis number: A600114

Coachbuilder Hermann Brunn designed for himself a long-wheelbase landaulet-type body with an open chauffeur compartment in 1935. He called it a cabriolet. Lincoln added the design to their catalog custom line for 1937 and was extended to Packard in 1938, offered as the All Weather Cabriolet. The Touring Cabriolet with a fixed forward roof was added as well, and both styles were available in Landavet form, with a folding rear top and functional landau irons, or non-collapsible with a fixed rear roof and faux landau irons.

This particular example was discovered in a shed in Lovelock, Nevada, and purchased by the current owner's father. It was put into storage where it remained for the next 25 years. The front sheet metal is from another car. The body is solid with many divots, dings, and dents throughout.

In 2008 this 1938 Packard Twelve Landavlet Touring Cabriolet with coachwork by Brunn was brought to RM Auctions 'Vintage Motor Cars of Meadow Brook' where it was estimated to sell for $75,000-$100,000 and offered without reserve. A high bid of $27,500 including the buyer's premium was enough to secure new ownership. The lot was sold.

by Dan Vaughan

Convertible Sedan by Brunn
Chassis number: 16082007
Engine number: A600189

This 1938 Packard V-12 Brunn Touring Cabriolet Sixteenth Series 1608 was offered for sale at the 2006 Gooding & Company Auction held at Pebble Beach, Ca. The car was offered with a reserve and estimated to sell for $150,000-$225,000. It is powered by a twelve-cylinder engine that displaces 473.31 cubic inches and produces 175 horsepower. There is a three-speed manual gearbox and an independent front suspension.

This car was displayed at the Philadelphia Auto Show. It left the show under the ownership of Mrs. Margaret Dorrance Strawbridge of Villanova, Pa. She was the heiress to the Campbell Soup fortune and a regular Packard customer. After she passed away, the car remained in the possession of her husband, George Strawbridge. It remained in the Strawbridge family until it was purchased by Mr. Albert Sellers who retained the vehicle until 1956. The vehicle's next owner was Mr. Barnard Walsh who kept the car for 28 years.

It has a pair of side-mounted spare tires with metal covers, a Packard Deluxe radio, a heater, triple lights, a rear Jaeger clock, a custom trunk, and a walnut interior trim.

Since new, the car has been treated to a comprehensive mechanical and cosmetic restoration. It is finished in maroon lacquer and has a tan interior and canvas top.

It is one of only nine built. The custom coachwork by Brunn has body number 3. At auction, the car was left unsold.

by Dan Vaughan

Touring Cabriolet by Brunn
Chassis number: 1608-2007
Engine number: A600189

Brunn created a long-wheelbase landaulet-type body with an open chauffeur compartment, which he called a cabriolet, in 1935. Two years later, it was added to the Lincoln catalog custom line. The following year, in 1938, it became part of Packard's line-up as well. It was available both as the All Weather Cabriolet, with a removable leather roof for the chauffeur, or Touring Cabriolet with a fixed forward roof that had small smoked-glass clerestory windows over the windshield. Both of these could be ordered in Collapsible form that had a folding rear top and functional landau irons, and Non-Collapsible with a fixed rear roof and faux landau irons.

The 1938 Packard Twelve Collapsible Touring Cabriolet has coachwork by Brunn. It was on display at the 1938 Philadelphia Auto Show and purchased by Margaret Dorrance Strawbridge, the daughter of John T. Dorrance, the founder of the Campbell Soup Company. Margaret was both an aviator and a sportswoman who rode with the Radnor Hunt Club and was named one of Philadelphia's six best-dressed women. The car remained in her care for her entire life. It was inherited by her husband when she passed away in 1953. Its ownership changed on several occasions since then, and it has been treated to a restoration.

It wears a Brunn body serial number 3 which is painted in maroon lacquer and has a tan cloth interior. There is a tan canvas-covered top and the rear section is collapsible allowing the passengers to enjoy the open air.

It is well equipped with a Packard Deluxe radio, heater, custom trunk, Trippe driving lights, Jaeger clock, and dual side-mounted spares with metal covers.

In 2008, this car was brought to the 2nd Annual Vintage Motor Cars of Hershey presented by RM Auctions where it was estimated to sell for $150,000-$200,000. Bidding exceeded those estimates, settling at $236,500 including the buyer's premium. The lot was sold.

by Dan Vaughan

Convertible Coupe
Chassis number: A600534

This vehicle is a 1938 Packard Twelve Coupe Roadster Model 1608 that has been given a comprehensive restoration since new. The interior features tan leather and there are whitewall tires, dual side-mounted spares with proper Packard metal covers, and rearview mirrors. There is also a pair of period-correct Trippe lights and a Cormorant hood ornament.

In 2009, Packard Twelve was offered for sale at the Automobiles of Amelia Island auction presented by RM Auctions. The car was estimated to sell for $275,000 - $350,000. The lot was sold for the sum of $286,000, including the buyer's premium.

by Dan Vaughan

Touring Cabriolet by Brunn

This 1938 Packard Twelve Model 1608 Landaulet wears coachwork by Brunn. The 1938 Packard Twelves featured a new vee'd windshield, hood, and grille with three adjustable cooling louvers along each side of the hood and a new instrument panel. An industry recession resulted in a huge drop in sales, with only about 566 cars built.

All Weather Town Car by Rollston & Company
Chassis number: 1135-2005

New York City coachbuilder Rollston was highly regarded for its formal town cars, which were designed to be driven by a liveried chauffeur who rode exposed to the elements, in the style of horse-drawn carriages. Their popularity led Packard to catalogue them as a 'semi-custom' and with the economic turmoil caused by the Great Depression, Packard felt that it was necessary to produce the All-Weather Town Car in the most cost-effective way possible. Thus, rather than having Rollston build entire new bodies from scratch, Packard sent them its own touring limousine bodies, which were then modified by Rollston with padded formal rooflines, fine interior trim, and open front seats.

This particular Sixteenth Series All-Weather Town Car is one of only three known Rollston survivors. The original firewall tag records its delivery as October 8th of 1937, by the Packard branch located on 11th Avenue in New York City. The original owner of this example is not known. It was acquired by the current owners from an East Coast owner in 1989, and it has resided in the Detroit area ever since.

The car is finished in Packard Maroon and features leather upholstery for the driver and soft wool broadcloth for the passengers, with the interior being lit by courtesy lamps and surrounded by richly hued woodwork. It is equipped with the tendelet, to cover the driver's seat in the rear, as well as a lap robe for the passengers.

The car has achieved CCCA Premier status, and it appeared at the Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance in both 2004 and 2010.

Convertible Sedan by Dietrich
Chassis number: 411472

There were 566 examples of the Packard Twelve produced in 1938 and just 25 were given the Dietrich-designed Convertible Sedan body style, selling for nearly $6,000 when new. This example is a Series 1608 powered by a 473.3 cubic-inch L-head V12 engine capable of producing 175 horsepower. A restoration was performed in the early-to-mid 1990s and has recently received a number of mechanical upgrades including a new clutch and new dual ignition coils as well as rebuilt components including the starter, generator, and carburetor. The exterior is painted in metallic sand finish and there is a fawn convertible top and a light tan leather interior. There are dual side-mounted spare tires with mirrors, bumper guards, fog lamps, and a rear luggage rack. It is believed to be one of just six examples to remain in existence.

In 2009, it was offered for sale at the Vintage Motor Cars of Meadow Brook presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $130,000-$160,000. The lot was sold for the sum of $99,000 including the buyer's premium.

by Dan Vaughan

Town Car by Brunn

The Brunn-Derham Town Car body on this car was originally built by Brunn & Company on a 1929 Pierce-Arrow chassis. The original owner of that car liked the town car so much that in 1938 she had its beloved body transferred to a new chassis - this Packard Twelve - rather than buying a new car. The car is mostly preserved, not restored.

Limousine by Bohman & Schwartz

This 1938 Packard Twelve 1608 Limousine was originally owned by actor Lionel Barrymore, who had the wheelchair conversion made by coachbuilder Bohman & Schwartz for $1,850.

by Dan Vaughan

Convertible Sedan by Brunn
Chassis number: A600520

This Packard Twelve Model 1608 was sold new by California Packard dealer Earl C. Anthony Inc. in August of 1938. It is believed that this car was once part of the Harrah Collection before passing through several individuals and then finally joining a noted private collection in 2004. It was given a body-off-frame restoration in 2004 by George Fore of Fore's Restoration. In 1997, it received an AACA First Junior Award in Greenville, South Carolina, followed by Best in Show at the AACA North Alabama Regional show. At Hershey, the Packard received a Senior Class Award, as evidenced by badge number 19D0640, as well as the Joseph Parkin Award for the Eastern Division, an award recognizing the top Packard at the meet. It returned to the show circuit in 1998, scoring perfectly at the CCCA Spring Grand Classic in Palm Beach, Florida in April, where it was awarded Senior Badge number 2134 for the Primary Production class, 1937- 1939. At the Packard Centennial Celebration in Warren, Ohio, the car was awarded Best in Class honors.

It scored 99.75 points at the CCCA Spring Grand Classic in Ormond Beach, Florida, where it earned a second Senior Badge, numbered 2134S. It won Best in Class at the PAC National Meet in Virginia, followed by Best in Class at the Hilton Head Concours d'Elegance.

In 2010, this Convertible Sedan was offered for sale at the Vintage Motor Cars of Meadow Brook event presented by RM Auctions. The car was estimated to sell for $150,000 - $200,000. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $167,750 including the buyer's premium.

by Dan Vaughan

Packard 1608 Twelve Brunn All-Weather Cabriolet

All-Weather Cabriolet by Brunn
Chassis number: A600416

1 of 3 Built! In 1938 Brunn was awarded a contract to build a few Touring Cabriolets and All-Weather Cabriolets (Town Cars) for their twelve-cylinder Model 1608 and 1708 chassis (1938-39). Normally 95 percent of series-built production bodies would be shipped to the chassis manufacturer's plant for mounting, but Packard requested that Brunn mount the Cabriolet bodies. Packard shipped the running chassis to Buffalo with a soapbox driver's seat in place and gave Brunn $150 for mounting the bodies. Most of the Brunn Touring Cabriolets were sold by California Packard distributor Earl C. Anthony. This extremely rare example is formerly of the Koll Collection. Less than 100 miles on a complete engine rebuild which was performed by Brian Joseph. Mostly original car including the mint original upholstery from 1938.

by Packard

Convertible Victoria by Derham
Chassis number: 1608-2030
Engine number: A600130

One of the premier coachbuilders of the American classic age, Derham created bodies for many clients, including heads of state. Derham-bodied cars furnished transportation in 15 coronations around the globe, and the company was the only coachbuilder to survive the Depression.

One secret of Derham's success was scrupulous attention to customer specifications.

This custom-built Packard was the collaboration of purchaser Frank B. Wentz Jr. of Philadelphia and Enos Derham of the famed Derham Body Company of Rosemont, Pennsylvania. Finally delivered in early 1939, the body alone cost $4,132.10. Fortunately, every scrap of correspondence dealing with the construction of this car exists in the Derham archives, which are now located in the Classic Car Club of America Museum in Kalamazoo, Michigan. When the current owner purchased the car, he also got 26 pages of correspondence between Derham and the original owner, Philadelphian Daniel Wentz, detailing specifics of the car's styling.

The result of the collaboration is a Packard Victoria that is essentially unique. Details include a raked vee-type windshield and oversize doors allowing easy access to the rear seat. The slope of the rear deck is steeper than standard Packards of the day, eliminating the hump trunk still common to many prestige sedans of the late 1930s, and the body panels are fabricated in aluminum.

The Victoria was one of the most massive chassis in Packard's 1938 inventory, with a wheelbase of 134 inches and a curb weight well over 5,000 pounds. Propulsion was supplied by a 473 cubic-inch V12 engine, the biggest in the company's powertrain arsenal. Rated for 175 horsepower, it was quiet, smooth, and generated ample low-end torque.

Packard produced 446 cars with V12 power in 1938, but this Derham-bodied Victoria is one-of-a-kind.

All-Weather Cabriolet by Brunn

In 1938 Brunn was awarded the contract to build the Touring Cabriolets and the All-Weather Cabriolets for Packard's 12-cylinder Model 1608 chassis. Packard shipped the rolling chassis to Buffalo with a soapbox driver's seat in place and gave Brunn $150 to mount each of the bodies. Most of the Brunn Touring Cabriolets were sold by California Packard distributor Earl C. Anthony.

This car was the first to receive this very rare body style and was shown at the 1937 New York Auto Show, where it was bought off the stand by Michael Todd. It was restored in 1999 and has since been refreshed by its current owner.

Custom Landaulette by Rollston & Company
Chassis number: 16082025
Engine number: A600504

This Packard Twelve was commissioned by the world's wealthiest woman, millionaire heiress Doris Duke. Doris Duke was the child of James Buchanan Duke and Nanaline Holt Inman. James Buchanan Duke died in 1925 and Doris (aged twelve upon his death) inherited a good share of her father's tobacco fortune, valued at between 60 and 100 million dollars. Duke ordered this custom Packard in 1938 to serve as a chauffeur-driven car to shuttle her between New Jersey and her Newport mansion.

The current owner acquired this car in the early 2000s. The car had been sitting for years and was in need of a full restoration. It had been discovered in New Jersey, not far from Duke Farms, and still wore the DDC emblem on the rear door. A restoration soon followed with bills totaling over $400,000. The original black with tan broadcloth color scheme was used. The interior features a radio set in the passenger compartment and a full bar with all the original crystal.

by Dan Vaughan

All-Weather Cabriolet by Brunn
Chassis number: 608 2022
Engine number: A600446

Mr. Phil Hill acquired this Brunn-bodied All Weather Cabriolet in 1966 from the estate of Annis Van Nuys Schweppe, the daughter of Los Angeles developer Isaac Newton Van Nuys. Hill rebuilt the engine and addressed certain cosmetic and mechanical issues. By June of 1971, the car was complete just in time to accompany him to his wedding. Hill later showed the Brunn at concours events where it regularly took home awards. It was also used by Hill to carry his daughter and son, Vanessa and Derek, home from the hospital after their births and chauffeured his other daughter, Jennifer, for her own wedding.

The car has been in the Hill family for nearly 50 years. It is believed to be one of just three All-Weather Cabriolets built for the 1938 Twelve, with this being the sole example with the hidden spare wheel.

by Dan Vaughan

Touring Cabriolet by Brunn
Engine number: A600485

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 Dan Vaughan

Torpedo Cabriolet by Kellner

This one-off 1938 Packard Twelve (Model 1608) Torpedo Cabriolet by Kellner was custom built by the original owner, believed to be George 'Geordie' Hormel II, heir to the meatpacking Hormel Foods Corp. and owner of the historic Wrigley Mansion in Phoenix, Arizona. Hormel used the rear body section of a 1930 Renault Reinstella Torpedo Scaphandrier to craft his creation, which went on to be owned by a Who's Who of classic car collectors. During its lifetime this unique Packard has been sought after and acquired by Hal Broda, J.B. Nethercutt, William F. Harrah, and Tom Monaghan, the founder of Domino's Pizza. The Packard remained in the Domino's Classic Car Collection until 1989, before joining the Blackhawk Collection where it was treated to a painstaking restoration and has emerged looking spectacular. This octogenarian has the prestige and performance of a Packard and has been front and center of some of the most prestigious car collections in the world.

All Weather Town Car by Rollston & Company

This Series 1608 Packard is one of three known survivors. Dressed in body style 495, this Town Car sports a 473.3 cubic-inch, L-head V12 engine, producing 175 horsepower, with a three-speed selective synchromesh manual transmission mounted on a 139-inch wheelbase. The coachwork is by Rollston, a New York City coachbuilder who produced some of the finest and most expensive coachwork on the Packard chassis. Rollston was renowned for specializing in the formal Town Car with a liveried chauffeur driving while exposed to the elements. Feeling the bite of the Great Depression, Packard began to send Rollston their own touring limousine bodies for modification, adding padded formal rooflines, open front seats, and fine interior trim. These Town Cars were built to the same high standards as Rollston's fully unique creations and, as is evident in this example, they were every inch a Rollston.

The Packard Twelve was produced from 1933 to 1939 with over 35,000 examples produced. It is considered by many to be one of the finest automobiles produced by Packard and one of the most significant creations of the classic car era. The long and flowing front hood hid a 445 cubic-inch side-valve twelve-cylinder engine that was refined, powerful, smooth, and quiet.

The engine was originally destined for a front-wheel drive project which eventually proved to have weaknesses. That and the anticipated development cost were too much to be practical so Packard decided to scrap the idea. Cadillac had introduced their 16-cylinder engine and other marques such as Pierce-Arrow were improving the performance of their offerings. Packard was feeling the pressure and decided to place the engine into the Deluxe Eight Chassis and dubbed it the Twin Six. The name was in honor of Packard's achievement fifteen years earlier when they introduced their first 12-cylinder engine. By 1933 the name was changed to Twelve to be in line with the rest of the Packard models.

Most of the Packard production Twelve's received factory bodies. Only a handful received custom coachwork by such greats as LeBaron and Dietrich.

In 1935 Packard introduced more horsepower and mechanical improvements. The suspension became more plush and comfortable while the steering became easier to operate. The cars were designed and built as one unit including the fenders, running boards, hood, and body.

1936 was the final year for 17-inch wire wheels and double-blade bumpers with hydraulic dampers.

by Dan Vaughan