Vehicle Description
For many enthusiasts, Packard's magnificent 11th series represents
the pinnacle of the marque, and in many ways, the zenith of the
Classic Era of American automobiles. The 11th series is considered
to be the final Packard model before streamlining made its mark on
design language, and the car's beautiful full-figured styling
captures the essence of pre-war grandeur like few other cars.
Packard generally took a conservative approach to style, while
still managing to express a sense of quality and occasion that few
other automakers could match. The basic styling features skirted,
full-figured fenders and V-shaped radiator, echoed by V-shape
headlamp lenses and a subtly raked windscreen. The design varied
slightly from the Tenth Series, but the results were dramatic as
they gave the new car a low and purposeful appearance. The
tradition of catalog and custom-catalog bodies remained, which
ranged from formal limousines to a sporty and evocative speedster.
Dietrich's fabulous Convertible Victoria, style number 747, stood
as one of the most prestigious and expensive bodies available.
Preferred by owner-drivers, the Victoria could be closed in
inclement weather, or the top could be lowered into a well behind
the doors for a sleek open look when the sun came out. Despite the
deepening economic depression, Packard continued to offer the
flagship twelve-cylinder, now renamed from "Twin Six" to simply
"Twelve"; a name which Packard felt better conveyed the power and
prestige of the model. Sales of the Twelve peaked at just 960 units
for the year. Thanks to the efforts of influential Hollywood dealer
Earle C. Anthony, all new 1934 Packards were engineered to receive
a radio. As Beverly Rae Kimes said in her seminal book on Packard
history, "At sixty, at seventy, or even a healthy eighty plus, the
owner of one of the new Eleventh Series Packards could, if he
wished, hear something besides the sound of his watch." The style
and occasion of the 1934 Packard are virtually unmatched by its
contemporaries, and to this day, few cars capture the glamour of
the 1930s quite like the marvelous 11th series. One of the most
desirable of all pre-war Packards, this 1934 1107 Dietrich
Convertible Victoria is a fabulous example, fresh from a
high-quality cosmetic restoration and mechanical refurbishment.
Presented in a beautiful shade of metallic gunmetal gray, this is a
finely detailed and breathtaking example of Packard's pre-war tour
de force. The subject of a recent bare-metal respray, the paint is
finished to a high standard, and the extensive chrome trim was
recently polished or re-plated as needed. Darker shades such as
this suit the shape particularly well, and with the maroon chassis
and medium gray fabric soft top, the effect is quite striking.
Accessories include dual side-mount spare wheels with painted steel
covers, chrome trumpet horns and the Goddess of Speed mascot,
generally reserved for the most sporting Packard models. The
fluid-filled, weighted bumpers (which acted to reduce vibration on
rough roads) are rebuilt and carefully detailed. In addition to the
paintwork, some of the structural woodwork was replaced where
necessary, while the rest of the structure was thoroughly
inspected. The interior is finely preserved from a previous
restoration, trimmed in dark red leather upholstery with matching
carpets and panels. Front seats and rear seats are comfortable and
roomy, and they show virtually no signs of use, remaining inviting
and entirely up to the standards of the exterior cosmetics. During
the recent restoration, the wood interior was removed and carefully
refinished. The lovely painted woodgrain dash houses correct
original instruments, and as this is a top-line model, there is an
original factory radio centrally mounted in the fascia. Packard's
magnificent 445.5 cubic inch V12 is arguably one of the greatest
engines of the era. This example benefits from extensive servicing
to ensure it delivers its 160 horsepower reliably and with the
near-silence expected of a Packard Twelve. Recent work includes
resurfaced heads installed using proper multi-layer head gaskets,
top-end reseal, and a refurbished cooling system to include a new
water pump and re-cored radiator. Also, the carburetor, fuel pump,
and starter are freshly rebuilt and the fuel system cleaned and
flushed. Detailing is to a high standard, with excellent chrome
hardware and the heads, water pump and other items receiving a
fresh coat of correct Packard Green paint, to bring the mechanical
presentation up to near-concours levels. Of the 435 1107s built in
1934, just a handful of cars left the Packard factory with the
fabulous and stylish Convertible Victoria coachwork. Combined with
the already gorgeous design of the base 11th series Packard, it is
among the most important and desirable pre-war American
automobiles; an essential addition to any collection of Full
Classics. With fresh cosmetics and exquisite detailing, this
fantastic Packard is ready for duty on the concours lawn, yet it is
also sorted and dialed-in for enjoyment on tours and events. For
additional details please view this listing directly on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/5975-1934-packard-twelve-victoria-convertible/