Vehicle Description
Packard introduced the Tenth Series in 1933 at the 33rd National
Automobile Show. The entire model range had been revamped with new
styling and a new naming scheme. The old Standard Eight, Deluxe
Eight and Twin-Six nomenclature were dropped for the simpler Eight,
Super Eight, and Twelve. Packard execs found the new names more
upscale, helping to differentiate Packard from entry-level
eight-cylinder cars like Ford. Names aside, the new Tenth Series
featured the first hints of the emerging streamlined styling
trends. Skirted front fenders gave a fuller look, and the radiator
grille featured a Vee design. A new X-member frame featured 17-inch
wheels and refinements to the adjustable power braking and ride
control systems. The flagship of the fleet was, of course, the
Twelve, and Packard offered it as either the Model 1005 on a
142-inch wheelbase or the Model 1006 on a 147-inch wheelbase.
Eleven body styles were available on the 1005, while the 1006 was
only offered in two formal limousine styles. Packard produced the
10th Series for only eight months until the 11th Series replaced
it. As a result, just 525 Twelves were built in 1933. This 1933
Packard 1005 Twelve wears handsome Club Sedan coachwork from the
factory catalog and is one of only a handful of known survivors.
This long-time California car was first sold in August 1933 via
Earle C. Anthony's Los Angeles showroom, though little of its early
history is known. In February 1979, this car surfaced in a
classified ad in the LA Times. The advertisement described the car
as one of 5 known examples, and while it was mostly complete, it
needed a total restoration. An artist, avid car collector, and
restorer from nearby Altadena, California, Mr. Ron Lawless
recognized the rarity and importance of the car and soon brought
the derelict Packard home. The late Mr. Lawless would restore the
car himself over ten years, painstakingly disassembling it down to
a bare chassis and rebuilding every component along the way. Period
photos show the car was complete but rough, requiring considerable
effort to return it to its former elegance. While indeed an
ambitious project, Mr. Lawless was up to the task, and the results
are truly outstanding. He would go on to enjoy his finely restored
Packard for nearly 40 years. With the restoration completed by the
late 1980s, Ron showed his Packard extensively on the West Coast,
earning numerous awards. In 1989, the Packard entered a CCCA Grand
Classic, receiving a National First Prize and Senior badge. As late
as 2009, it was still being shown, winning its class at the LA
Concours. Today, the restoration has matured, and the car has taken
on a pleasing and attractive patina. The Club Sedan coachwork is
understated and handsome, the bodywork appears straight and tidy,
and it exhibits consistent fit and finish, a testament to the
quality of the original restoration. The black paintwork is glossy
and attractive, with some cracking visible in the lacquer on close
inspection. The chrome is very good overall, with bumpers and
headlamps in excellent condition and only some minor pitting found
on smaller parts. This car is well equipped with dampened bumpers
(standard on the Twelve and optional on the Super Eight), dual
side-mount spare wheels with painted covers, a trunk rack, and twin
chrome trumpet horns. Packard intended the Club Sedan to be a
luxury car for the owner-driver, so accommodations are generous and
comfortable for the driver and passengers. The cabin is trimmed in
lovely blue-gray fabric in both front and rear, with complementary
carpet and headlining. The upholstery is remarkably well-preserved
considering the age of the restoration, appearing clean, tidy, and
generally free of excessive wear. Restored woodwork surrounds the
windows, while wood-grained metal panels (Mr. Lawless' specialty)
dress instrument fascia. Factory correct switches, controls,
gauges, and the Waltham clock are all in fine condition. Under the
hood rests Packard's sublime 445.5 cubic-inch L-head V12, producing
160 horsepower in standard form. Photos show the engine was rebuilt
during the restoration, and it remains appropriately detailed in
proper Packard green with period-correct plumbing and hardware.
Some of the enamel on the manifolds has worn off through regular
use and heat cycles, which is not out of the ordinary for an older
restoration. Otherwise, the finishes and detailing are quite good.
It is a delight to drive, with prodigious power and the smooth,
easy-driving nature expected from a Packard of this era. Rare and
elegant, this Packard Twelve has been well-maintained and enjoyed
by a dedicated enthusiast for the past 40 years. Its charming,
care-worn patina and usable nature make it a prime candidate for
AACA tours, CCCA CARavan touring, or similar driving events, and it
is sure to entertain its next keeper for many more years. Offers
welcome and trades considered For additional details please view
this listing directly on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/7465-1933-packard-twelve-club-sedan/