Vehicle Description
Brunn & Co. of Buffalo, New York had a long tradition of fitting
beautiful and exclusive coachwork to the likes of Pierce-Arrow,
Rolls-Royce, and Lincoln automobiles. Hermann A. Brunn's German
heritage shone through in the exquisite quality he demanded from
his craftsmen, as well in his understated, Teutonic designs.
Packard joined that list of prestigious manufacturers when they
contracted with Brunn to design two bodies for the upcoming
Sixteenth series, introduced in September 1937. These two bodies
would be the All-Weather Cabriolet and the so-called Clear Vision
Touring Cabriolet, both built atop the flagship 1608
twelve-cylinder chassis. The latter is a handsome design which
first appeared on a Lincoln Model K used by the Brunn family as
personal transport. It featured an enclosed driver's compartment,
division window, and an optional collapsible landaulet rear roof
section. The most recognizable detail was the inclusion of a pair
of tinted "Neutralite" glass panels above the windscreen, which
allow the driver to better see traffic signals as well as providing
a more open feel to forward compartment. Period literature suggests
it would serve well as either a "limousine or owner-driven sedan."
1938 marked the penultimate year for the legendary Packard Twelve,
with the end of the custom bodied era soon to follow. Significant
improvements to the Sixteenth Series included coil-sprung
independent suspension and hydraulic brakes, introduced earlier on
the Super Eight. The Brunn Touring Cabriolet was one of only three
custom bodies offered on the 1608 chassis - two by Brunn and one by
Rollston. This was a dramatic drop, as in years past, buyers had
fifteen or more custom options to select from. To build the Touring
Cabriolet, running chassis with soapbox driver's seats were shipped
from Detroit to the Buffalo workshop. In an attempt to save money,
Packard required Brunn to use existing door stampings, which in
turn had to be heavily reworked to achieve the level of fit
dictated by the coachbuilder's high standards. This level of
perfection resulted in a net loss for on virtually every body they
produced for Packard. It also drove the price of Touring Cabriolet
up to an astounding $8,510; over $1,600 more than a similar
Rollston-bodied 1608 and more than even the costliest
sixteen-cylinder Cadillac. High cost, economic conditions, and
changing tastes meant customer demand was light, and the Brunn
Touring Cabriolet was built in minuscule numbers over the short
time it was offered. This 1938 Packard Twelve 1608 is the third of
only four Packards to receive Brunn Touring Cabriolet coachwork
that year. This car appeared on Packard's stand at the 1938
Philadelphia Auto Show and was shortly thereafter acquired by
Margaret Dorrance Strawbridge, the daughter of Campbell's Soup
Company founder John T. Dorrance. Mrs. Strawbridge was an aviator,
sportswoman, and an active member of Philadelphia's prestigious
Radnor Hunt Club. Quite proud of her marvelous Packard, she kept it
under her death in 1953, when it passed briefly to her husband. The
second owner was Mr. Albert Sellers, who traded the car to Mr.
Bernard Walsh, who kept it for the next 28 years. It would later
join the world famous General William Lyon collection, where it
remained until 2018. Meticulously maintained during its tenure in
the Lyon Collection, this grand Packard is in beautiful condition
with a mellowed older restoration. The handsome Packard Maroon
paintwork features a subtle gold pinstripe, with a contrasting
cream-beige roof treatment. The paintwork, while older, remains in
excellent condition, displaying clear reflections, fine detailing
and strong panel fit. Similarly, the polished and plated brightwork
is in excellent order and appears exceptionally well preserved.
Appropriately for a flagship Packard, it is well accessorized with
dual Senior Trippe Lights, Cormorant mascot, dual side-mount spare
wheels with painted covers, Packard See-Rite Mirrors, and a trunk
rack. Correct steel wheels with hubcaps and trim rings are shod
with appropriate wide-whitewall tires. The passenger compartment
features high-quality gray fabric, with matching gray carpets and
headlining. The materials appear well-preserved, and the cabin
feels warm and wonderfully inviting. The gauges, dials, and
controls sit in the body-color dash which is capped with wood trim.
Additional woodwork is found on the door caps and divider window
panel and is generally sound with only some slight cracking evident
in places. The opulent cabin is fully equipped for its period with
a division window, factory heater, factory radio, Jaeger clock in
the rear compartment, and a rearview mirror with a built-in
altimeter, and an unusual gadget that approximates the distance of
following cars by measuring their headlight separation. This car
features the optional collapsible rear roof so passengers can bask
in the sunshine as they waft along in comfort. Vacuum-assisted
brakes and clutch allow for effortless progress on the road, as
this mighty Packard seems to shrink around the driver once
underway. Having 175 horsepower on tap from the 473.3 cubic inch
V12 certainly helps. The engine runs well and quite nicely
presented, with the Packard green paint and porcelain black
manifolds showing some signs of use since the restoration. The
undercarriage is similarly tidy, likewise with some visible
evidence of careful use. This rare and impressive Packard is one of
only a precious few bodied by Brunn between 1938 and 1939, making
it an exceptional rarity. The desirability is further enhanced by
fascinating history with one of America's wealthiest families and a
series of devoted collectors. It is a wonderful motorcar presented
with an honest, beautifully matured restoration that makes it ideal
for touring and use on road events.