Vehicle Description
In Packard's illustrious history, there are plentiful examples of
why the marque consistently stood head and shoulders above its
rivals. From the company's inception in 1899, Packard represented
quality and uncompromising excellence. In 1913, their
recently-hired chief engineer, Jesse Vincent, began work on a
sophisticated new V-12 engine intended to firmly establish the
marque as the undisputed king of American luxury. The typically
conservative board gave Vincent the green light to develop the
engine for aircraft use, which progressed into approval for
motorcar production. Ahead of its launch in 1916, Packard's
President drove a new Twin Six half-way across the country in
grueling conditions, and declared it "the greatest piece of
machinery that ever went upon the highways." Following a hiatus,
Packard reintroduced the twelve-cylinder in 1932 as an all-new
clean sheet L-head design. The Twin Six name also returned briefly,
but the marketing department changed it to the more
upscale-sounding Twelve from 1933-onward. As it had with the
original Twin Six, Packard produced a superb engine, delivering
seamless power with unparalleled refinement. It held its place as
the flagship of the marque through 1939, spawning some of the most
exquisite and sought-after automobiles of the Classic Era. Of all
the body styles of the Classic Era, none balanced imposing scale,
grand proportions, and a hint of rakishness quite as effectively as
the dual-cowl phaeton. Yet by the 1930s, fair-weather phaetons were
disappearing from automaker's catalogues, displaced by more
practical convertible offerings with greater all-weather
capability. As such, this 1935 Sport Phaeton was one of just four
authentic dual-cowl sport phaetons produced on Packard's brilliant
Twelfth Series Twelve chassis. Delivered new in Lake Forest,
Illinois, the Packard was discovered as part of its original
owner's estate in the early 1950s. Local resident David Dangler
acquired the Packard and sold it to Jay Gross, owner of the
Princeton Auto Museum in Princeton, Illinois, where the car was
exhibited for many years. Well-known collector Walter Cunny
eventually purchased the Packard from Gross' museum, and
commissioned its painstaking restoration, completed by Fuller
Brothers Restorations of Clinton, Iowa. As part of the restoraiton,
the car was converted to dual side-mounted spares, using correct
original fenders from a 1935 Twelve sedan, and fitted with front
and rear heaters. Following the project's completion, the car was
awarded 99.25 points at the 21st Classic Concours in Indiana in
1977, and it scored a perfect 100 points at the 1979 Indiana Grand
Classic. It appeared in the February 1995 issue ofCollectible
Automobilemagazine. Longtime enthusiast Dr. Gerald Greenfield of
Federal Way, Washington, bought the Packard from Mr. Cunny in 1996,
and traded it in 1998 to Joe Hayes of Chicago, returning it to its
home area. It was subsequently part of a well-known Ohio collection
before joining the stable of its most recent owner, a respected
connoisseur of Classic Packards, in 2014. In its current care the
car was thoroughly detailed and improved, with a new, correct black
top, top boot, and side curtains made to the original designs.
Other work included minor repairs to the upholstery; and a
mechanical overhaul that included adjusting the steering box,
rebuilding the clutch and brake boosters, installing new coils, and
fitting new blackwall tires for a . In early 2022, it benefitted
from an engine and radiator flush, rebuilt water pump, and oil
change and tune-up. Today, the car wears its older restoration
well, with a pleasing character and light patina. Some slight paint
crazing is noted on close inspection, particularly on the upper
surfaces, though it is consistently finished and beautifully
detailed. Brightwork, including the chrome wire wheels, is
excellent all around, and the engine bay is well-prepared while
showing signs of moderate use. As a testament to its quality, this
stunning Packard has been exhibited at prestigious events including
the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance (2014), the Concours
d'Elegance of America at St. John's, and the Elegance at Hershey
(both 2016), and it has been considered one of the finest of its
kind for many years. That still holds true today-and with its rare
and attractive body style and celebrated V-12 engine, this Sport
Phaeton would be a most suitable acquisition for exhibition or
touring in style. Offers welcome and trades considered For
additional details please view this listing directly on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/7288-1935-packard-twelve-sport-phaeton/
