To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION at RM Sothebys' Amelia Island event, 6 - 7
March 2020.
Estimate:
$400,000 - $475,000
- A stunning re-creation of the amazingly rare and desirable
Packard
- Built by the legendary restorer Fran Roxas
- Beautifully maintained and presented
From 1916-23, the "Twin Six" established Packard's leadership in
the luxury automobile market. After a hiatus for the model, a new
twelve-cylinder Packard returned in 1932, joining Cadillac and
Lincoln in the multi-cylinder race. The Twelve powered Packard's
largest, most exclusive machines for seven years before becoming a
fatality of the Depression-era automobile market in 1939. Many of
Packard's most desirable models, including the truly stunning sport
phaeton, come from this storied period of power, streamlining, and
exclusivity.
Though all Twelves are highly desirable today, 1934's Eleventh
Series cars are especially prized for their graceful, streamlined
coachwork which retained the Packard classic upright body stance
and the prominent radiator grille with the iconic tombstone-shaped
shell. Offered on two different chassis lengths and with nearly two
dozen different body styles, the 1934 Twelves were powered by a
160-horsepower, 445.5-cubic-inch V-12 engine backed by a
three-speed synchromesh manual transmission. Despite being large
and imposing automobiles, the Twelves were capable of speeds in
excess of 90 mph and acceleration that could rival almost anything
else on the road.
Easily one of the most dramatic of all the Eleventh Series body
styles, the 1108 sport phaeton was originally designed by the great
Alexis de Sakhnoffsky. Traditionally more conservative in styling
that its competitors, Packard was relatively late in recognizing
styling's value as a sales tool. It wasn't until 1932 that
president and general manager James Alvan Macauley finally accepted
the idea and appointed a group of expert stylists, led by
Sakhnoffsky, to work with Edward Macauley, Packard's in-house
styling head. The Murray Body Corporation and LeBaron were also
drafted into the mix, the latter already established as a leading
design firm, but the main outside influence was Raymond
Dietrich.
Dietrich, who had co-founded LeBaron in New York City with fellow
designer Thomas Hibbard in 1920, had later formed Dietrich Inc. and
begun designing custom bodies for Packard, Lincoln, Marmon, and
other manufacturers. One of his most influential designs was for
the 1929 Packard 645 DeLuxe Eight, a dramatic concept with a raised
beltline, giving the impression of decreased height and increased
length. One of the period's great American automotive designs, it
dictated the Packard look all the way through the Eleventh Series
represented in the 1934 Twelve sport phaeton design seen here.
Working within that famous Packard design aesthetic, Sakhnoffsky
wrought his own sensational design, leading with Dietrich's new,
taller radiator to his majestic false hood and the sculpted ovoid
pontoon fenders that were another of his signature design elements.
In contrast to the standard Packard motif, the beads flowing down
from the front fenders and around the wheel openings were
eliminated, and the running boards were not anchored to the front
fenders. From any angle, Sakhnoffsky's design is the essence of the
sporting phaeton: elegant yet rakish, elements that are masterfully
incorporated in this LeBaron-style sport phaeton.
At an invoice price of nearly $8,000 each, the sport phaetons were
almost twice the cost of a standard 1934 model. Consequently, it is
believed that only four original LeBaron Model 1108 examples were
produced. Each was a full custom model built to the exacting tastes
of those who ordered it. With the rarity, exclusivity, and
incredibly large price tag, only ultrawealthy luminaries such as
Clark Gable were able to purchase them in the period. All known
examples are featured in prominent, long-term private collections
and museums, and none are likely to enter the market in the near
future. To experience the sport phaeton on the road, a finely
crafted re-creation may be the only available option.
This 1934 Packard 1108 Twelve sport phaeton was handcrafted by
master coachbuilder Fran Roxas of Chicago, Illinois, using truly
exceptional LeBaron-style coachwork. Completed in 1987, the sport
phaeton was finished in stunning blue with matching leather
upholstery and impressive details that include dual remote
spotlights, Pilot Ray driving lights, wind wings, and wide
whitewalls on chromed wire wheels. This is an outstanding way to
experience one of Packard's rarest and most glamorous offerings.
Built with no expense spared, the car was even shown at the
prestigious Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance, where the judges were
so taken by its beauty that it was incredibly awarded Best of Show.
The car has been well maintained since, underscoring the quality of
the work completed by Roxas. A wonderful tribute to one of
Packard's finest creations, this sport phaeton remains simply
stunning and would be a wonderful addition to any Packard
collection.To view this car and others currently consigned to this
auction, please visit the RM website at
rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/am20.