Vehicle Description
As the world's economy began to falter going into the 1930s, some
American luxury automobile manufacturers turned to lower-cost
models to shore up their bottom line. Cadillac was among the first
to enter the mid-priced field with the LaSalle in 1927, yet over at
rival Packard, company management was at loggerheads about the
prospect of offering an entry-level model. The board of directors
worried about cheapening the prominent Packard name or alienating
their most loyal, high-end customers who valued the company's
exclusivity. At the same time, dealers demanded more product to
sell to a broader audience. The rollout of the mid-priced
"Shovelnose" 900 in 1932 revealed just how uneasy the relationship
between the board and dealers was, and within a single model year,
the 900 got shelved. Despite all the problems surrounding the
contentious junior line, Packard remained committed as ever to
serving their traditional clients, with a range of flagship models
that were as spectacular as ever. In 1932, Packard responded to
Cadillac's opening salvo in the multi-cylinder war with the revival
of their famous Twin-Six after a nine-year absence. Packard
engineered an exquisite 67-degree L-head V12 capable of 160
horsepower and 322 lb/ft of torque. While not as technically
advanced as the overhead-valve Cadillac Sixteen, the Packard Twin
Six offered comparable power with exceptional refinement and
reliability. Accommodating the V12 engine was a new X-braced
chassis with four-wheel vacuum-assisted braking, a synchronized
gearbox, and Packard's meticulously engineered steering and
suspension. Few would argue that the Packard Twin Six's standing as
one of the finest production cars available in its day. Prices
ranged from $3,650 to more than $7,000 for long-wheelbase models
with Packard's Individual Custom coachwork. Perhaps as a sign of
the economic times ahead, just 549 buyers laid out the cash
necessary to purchase a Twin-Six, and today, as when new, it stands
among the most desirable automobiles of the Classic Era, prized for
their exquisite style and exceptional performance. This 1932 Series
905 Twin Six Coupe Roadster is a beautifully restored example of
Packard's twelve-cylinder flagship, recently out of forty years of
continuous ownership by a noted collector and enthusiast. Records
show that when the previous owner acquired this car, it wore
original five-passenger sedan coachwork. Concurrently, he also
owned an original and unrestored 8-cylinder 903 with
factory-original Coupe Roadster coachwork. When the time came to
restore the cars, he carefully removed the respective bodies from
the firewall back and exchanged them between the two vehicles. He
noted that the Coupe Roadster body's mounting points aligned
perfectly with those on the 142-inch wheelbase Twin Six chassis,
and no modifications were necessary. Because of the ease of
interchangeability between bodies, marque historians believe that
Packard dealers of the period employed these very same techniques
to meet customer demands for particular body and chassis
combinations. The result of this project is an all Packard-made
Twin Six Coupe Roadster, widely regarded as the holy grail of the
early twelve-cylinder production models. A well-documented and
thoroughly-researched restoration followed, with technical input
from numerous marque experts to ensure its authenticity. In 2008,
the Classic Car Club of America awarded this car Full Classic
status, and it is therefore eligible for their fantastic CARavan
Tours and related events. Since the restoration, the 905 has been
used sparingly and presents today in exceptional condition,
finished in a striking dark brown livery with matching wire wheels
and whitewall tires. Period-correct accessories include dual
covered side-mount spares, twin chrome trumpet horns, dual driving
lamps, Goddess of Speed mascot, spot lamp, and a trunk rack.
Gorgeous tobacco brown leather adorns the seats and interior
panels, which, combined with the brown canvas top, offers a lovely
complement to the exterior paintwork. Interior woodwork is
gorgeous, and the instruments, controls, and switchgear are
beautifully restored. Still feeling quite fresh and crisp, the
elegant and sporty Packard displays only minimal signs of use, with
a commanding road presence in its restrained yet handsome color
scheme. Beneath the lengthy hood sits Packard's legendary 445.5
cubic-inch L-head V12, mated to a three-speed manual gearbox with
synchromesh. With 160 horsepower on tap, the V12 engine delivered
outstanding performance with virtually unrivaled levels of
refinement. Features of the 142-inch wheelbase chassis include
adjustable ride control, and powerful, vacuum-assisted Bendix
brakes. Packards of this era offer a sublime driving experience,
thanks to the exceptionally well-engineered chassis. The
accompanying history file includes photographs documenting the
restoration of the underpinnings and body, along with period
service information. The sale of this car presents a rare
opportunity to acquire a genuine Packard Twin Six with highly
desirable sporting coachwork and recent, high-quality restoration.
This marvelous automobile is equally at home on the show field as
it is on the road, and is sure to find a place of distinction in
virtually any collection. Offers welcome and trades considered