To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION at RM Sothebys' Amelia Island event, 8 - 9
March 2019.
Estimate:
$200,000 - $250,000
- Wholly original and unrestored
- Known history from new; 46,700 original miles
- Presented at the 2001 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
- Classic Car Club of America (CCCA) Full Classic
The year 1936 was a superlative one for Packard, both from the
standpoint of business and design. The automobiles produced that
year by the Detroit outfit are considered by many to be among the
most beautiful, most capable, and most luxurious of the 1930s. From
the top-of-the-line Twelve to the entry-level One Twenty, each
model was highly desirable. This trend continues today, especially
for the open cars such as the Super Eight Phaeton offered here.
Completely unrestored, except for its top, this superb 1936 Packard
Super Eight phaeton presents today as when it was delivered on 30
June 1936 from Hitchcock Motors in Santa Barbara, California. The
car's first owner, Anna W. Dickinson, was originally from Chicago
and was at the time a full-time resident of Santa Barbara. This
Packard was chauffeur-driven from the time of its purchase until
Mrs. Dickinson's death in 1972. The Packard was then shipped to her
son, William R. Dickinson, in Lake Forest, Illinois. Mr. Dickinson
owned the car until 1981. After the Dickinson family, the car was
held in two different noted automobile collections and remained
with the latter until 2004, when the present owners purchased the
car.
Exceptionally well preserved and superbly presented, the Packard
proudly displays its original condition inside and out, including:
paint, chrome, leather interior, floor mats, original spare tool
roll, owner's manual, side curtains with rods, trunk, and
monogrammed Packard lap robes. The car still has its original
Packard-Hartford Tonneau windshield installed by Hitchcock Motors
in 1936. This unusual and seldom-seen accessory gave Mrs. Dickinson
full weather protection in the rear seat of her phaeton.
By way of documenting the car's truly pampered life, a lubrication
sticker from a Shell service station in Santa Barbara, dated
10-9-67, shows 44,017 miles. The car now has 46,700 miles on the
odometer, showing the incredible care the Packard has seen with
just over 2,500 miles added in the last 50 years!
In 2001, the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance joined
the longstanding European tradition of honoring original cars. That
year a Prewar Preservation class was added to the show and this
1404 Phaeton, then in the collection of a noted Packard enthusiast
Don Sears, was among the invited participants. It has also
participated in numerous Grand Classic events and is a reliable and
impressive driver. It has garnered several awards for originality,
including the Best Original Award at the Packard Automobile Classic
Club National Meet in 2010, amongst others.
The magnificent Packard offered here is a fascinating example of
the charm of an unrestored automobile. Recognized by the Classic
Car Club of America, it is eminently eligible for any number of the
finest automobile events in the country and is a surefire
competitor in any preservation class. Worthy of continued
conservation, this Packard phaeton will make a truly incredible
centerpiece in any Full Classic collection.To view this car and
others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM
website at rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/am19.
