Vehicle Description
In the late 1920s, Packard was riding high on a wave of record
sales and profits. With little indication of the trouble to come
for the luxury car market as a whole, the company forged ahead with
their latest model, the Seventh Series, introduced in August 1929.
The range consisted of the 726 and 733 Standard Eight, followed by
the uncharacteristically sporty 734 Speedster, then the 740 Custom
Eight, and finally the superb flagship 745 Deluxe Eight. Per their
usual practice, Packard offered a dizzying variety of coachwork
options from their in-house body shop and independent
coachbuilders. LeBaron, Brewster, Rollston, and Dietrich were the
most prolific suppliers, however smaller boutique shops like Brunn,
Judkins, and Willoughby also had their opportunity to grace
Packard's outstanding 7th Series with their finest work. Waterhouse
Company of Webster, Massachusetts, was a relative newcomer to the
coachbuilding scene, founded by Charles Waterhouse at the end of
1928. Despite the firm's small size, they quickly made a name for
themselves, attracting prestigious customers. Waterhouse started on
a high note, scoring DuPont Motors as their first client.
Waterhouse created several distinctive and elegant designs, but the
Convertible Victoria is widely regarded as their signature style.
By exclusively using long-wheelbase chassis, designers had ample
space for the broad, blind-quarter top to disappear entirely below
the beltline, which afforded elegant, superbly balanced
proportions. Waterhouse bodies were highly exclusive, exquisitely
crafted, and fabulously expensive. Sadly, the Great Depression
claimed Waterhouse in 1933, just five short years since its
inception. In the end, Waterhouse created only 296 bodies in their
Webster, Mass workshop, and estimates suggest a mere 24 cars
survive to this day. This breathtaking Packard 745 Deluxe Eight
spectacularly highlights Waterhouse's signature Convertible
Victoria design, and is one of only five examples of the type
paired with the flagship Packard 745 chassis. Noted classic-era
restorer and collector Ray Belsito of Massachusetts discovered the
body and chassis when he acquired a large collection of cars and
parts from one of his local clients. Included in the assemblage was
a significant number of genuine Waterhouse parts, which Ray used to
rebuild the body. While not originally equipped with a Waterhouse
body, this Packard 745 chassis proved the ideal platform to
showcase the spectacular coachwork. Ray restored this car for
himself, meticulously working in his spare time over a span of more
than twenty years. The most recent owner was a friend and part-time
employee of Ray's, and was just 15 years old when he first
encountered the beautiful Packard in the back corner of Ray's
workshop. He fell in love with its gorgeous lines, and after years
of watching it slowly materialize, eventually convinced Belsito to
part with it, enlisting his mentor's talents to complete the
project. After years of effort, the results are nothing short of
spectacular. Since rolling out of Ray's shop, it has received the
blessing of Larry Waterhouse, a descendent of company founder
Charles, who included it in his registry of known Waterhouse cars.
Fully restored from stem to stern, the bold and distinctive livery
is what first catches your gaze. Mr. Belsito was particularly proud
of his collection of original paint color swatches, and he scoured
his archives for the inspiration for this unique and stunning
combination. Naturally, the paintwork is finished to
concours-quality standards, with superb panel fit and exquisite
chrome trim. Numerous period-correct accessories include dual
side-mount spare wheels, Packard "Adonis" mascot, radiator stone
guard, twin Pilot Ray driving lamps, chrome disc wheels, and a
windscreen sun visor. The accessories and colors impart this
Packard with an undeniable presence yet do not overpower the
exquisitely proportioned Waterhouse design. The interior is swathed
in lovely dark green leather, complementing the green body side
panels. Like the exterior, the upholstery and trim are meticulously
restored using the finest quality materials. Matching leather
features on the door panels, which are topped with finely restored
wood caps. Carpets, plated hardware, instruments, controls, and
switches are all in superb order. The top is covered in a subtle
salt-and-pepper pattern tan canvas, repeating on the side mount
covers. Packard's legendary 384.8 cubic-inch inline eight got a few
updates for the Seventh Series, including a new Detroit Lubricator
updraft carburetor, and was rated for a healthy 106 horsepower. In
this car, the big eight is presented in the proper shade of Packard
green with black enamel fittings and accessories. Some light patina
from occasional use is apparent in the "bake-off" of the
porcelain-coated manifolds. Aside from that, it is beautifully and
authentically detailed and, requiring only minor attention to
return it to top-level concours condition. Since completing the
restoration, the most recent owner enjoyed this Packard sparingly
on the road and occasionally in shows on the East Coast. On the
rare occasions he showed the car, it regularly brought home the
hardware. At the 2013 Boston Cup, it earned top honors in a special
"Made in Massachusetts" class, and was later invited by Hemmings
Motor News for their concours at the Saratoga Auto Museum. As
offered here, this striking and eminently desirable
Waterhouse-bodied Packard would be a welcome addition to any
collection and is sure to garner plenty of admiration at
prestigious concours events worldwide. Offers welcome and trades
considered For additional details please view this listing directly
on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/6872-1930-packard-745-waterhouse-victoria/
