Vehicle Description
To be OFFERED AT AUCTION at Auctions America's Auburn Fall event,
August 31-3, 2017.
Chassis No.
12382007
Estimate:
$ 75,000 - $100,000 US
Packard celebrated its 40th anniversary in 1939 which, sadly,
marked the final year for the massive Packard Twelve.
Unfortunately, the era of beautiful, long-wheelbase, high-powered,
ultra-expensive custom cars was coming to an end. Today, it seems
ironic that the most beautiful and extravagant American cars were
built at a time when financial conditions were the worst possible.
Yet, that is what makes the cars so desirable to today's
discriminating collectors.
For 1939, the Packard Twelves remained virtually unchanged. They
were the only Packard series to use the 134- and 139-inch-wheelbase
chassis, as well as the only series upon which custom bodies could
be ordered. Despite the fact that just 446 V-12s left Detroit in
1939, Packard still referred to them as production units. In
reality, all V-12s were built on a per-order basis with none
leaving the factory unsold. The big 473-cubic inch V-12 produced a
very healthy 175 horsepower. What it offered that perhaps, its
competitors did not, was near silence and a silky smoothness of
operation.
While the vehicle plate on this handsome coupe, number 1238-2007,
is new, it notes that the car was delivered through Packard's local
Detroit distributor on March 11, 1939. The current owner has
enjoyed it since the 1970s, recalling that he acquired it in San
Francisco, through a classified advertisement in the Chronicle, and
that it was a complete original, unrestored and solid automobile.
He notes that it was the seller's uncle's car, and had remained in
their family for many years.
The coupe was restored with Packard Maroon finish by the noted
former Martinez, California, firm of AutoEuropa, and fitted with a
high-speed rear axle. Its engine bears a correct 1939 serial
number. It has since remained in the consignor's collection,
occasionally driven but seldom shown, and is proudly offered here
for the first time in four decades.