Vehicle Description
Packard's legendary twelve-cylinder cars are among of the most
desirable and respected of all pre-war American classics. From
1916-1923, the "Twin Six" established Packard's leadership in the
luxury automobile market, and after a hiatus for the model, a new
twelve-cylinder Packard returned in 1932 to take on Cadillac's
headline-grabbing V-16, Lincoln's V-12, and other manufacturers
joining the multi-cylinder race. 1939 marked 40 years of Packard
production, yet sadly it also marked the final year for Packard
V-12 production. In the aftermath of the Great Depression, buyers
began to drift away from the large, extravagant custom bodies that
dominated the segment for so many years. So when faced with
slumping sales and rising costs, the expensive V-12 was dropped
with only 446 examples leaving the famous Detroit plant in the
final year. As before, the 67-degree V-12 displaced 473 cubic
inches and produced a very healthy 175 horsepower, far superior to
Lincoln's output and just ten shy of Cadillac's mighty V-16. It is
often said that the power and sublime smoothness of the Packard
V-12 is what inspired Enzo Ferrari to use the same configuration in
his cars... an anecdote that may never be proven but is certainly
believable once you experience the silken nature of the great
Packard engine. For 1939, no fewer than fourteen body styles were
offered in the factory catalog, and the chassis offered in two
wheelbase lengths, the 1707 (134 inches) and the 1708 (139 inches).
Vacuum assisted brakes and even a vacuum assisted clutch made for
easy, light operation. So while the Packard Twelve is a big, grand
car, it is surprisingly pleasant and hugely enjoyable to drive.
This 1939 Packard 1707 Twelve wears handsome and desirable
2/4-Passenger Coupe coachwork from the factory catalog (style
number 1238) coming to us most recently from the hands of a
long-term owner who has cared for it over the past forty years. The
previous owner recalls finding the car through a classified ad in
the San Francisco Chronicle in the 1970s, and upon seeing it for
the first time, he was surprised to find it remarkably correct,
unrestored and unmolested. It had apparently been kept in the
seller's family for many years prior and had clearly been
cherished. A deal was done on the spot and the new owner went on
enjoy his lovely Packard Twelve for the next four decades. In 2010,
a high-quality mechanical restoration was performed by Steve
Messenger of Just Packards in Napa, California. Finished in Packard
Maroon, this lovely coupe still presents today in very good order,
with straight, properly aligned panels and high-quality paintwork.
The body is beautifully stylish, with full, curvaceous fenders, a
swept-back radiator grille and a streamlined profile. No
range-topping model would be complete without the right
accessories, and this car delivers with its grand Cormorant mascot,
dual Trippe Light spot lamps, body-colored steel sidemount covers,
and a matching body-colored Packard trunk in the rear. It is also
equipped with a rumble seat for two occasional rear passengers as
well as a golf-bag door. Exterior brightwork is in very good
condition overall. Inside the two-passenger cabin, one finds
excellent upholstery in a period appropriate striped-pattern
broadcloth. Beautiful wood trim adorns the door caps, and the dash
is wood-grained paint on steel as original, with a lineup of clear
and well-presented original instruments. Chrome plating on the
interior fittings is good, with some appearing in very good
original condition. Seats, door panels and other soft trim, such as
the gray wool headlining, remain in excellent order, showing the
car was used lightly and carefully since its restoration. The same
goes with the maroon leather trim on the rumble seat. The engine
bay and undercarriage are clean, tidy and very well-presented.
While in the care of Just Packards, the engine was fully rebuilt at
considerable expense. Since then, this Packard has been lovingly
cared for and maintained in fine order. The engine presents in
clean and well-detailed condition with correct Packard-green engine
paint and black accessories. As a 1939 model, it retains the
correct original column-shifted manual transmission, which now
sends its power through an updated "high-speed" rear axle, which
was a factory option. This very rare, handsome and desirable
Packard Coupe has clearly been cherished throughout its life. The
attractive, high-quality restoration has only mellowed slightly
since completion, and the car has been used for the occasional
tour, yet seldom shown. It remains a very fine choice for AACA or
CCCA shows, yet is also a wonderful automobile for an enthusiast to
enjoy the splendor of a Twelve-Cylinder Packard on CCCA CARavan
tours or similar events.