• Sold new by Packard of Manhattan May 22, 1938
• Classic Car Club of America Senior winner
• One of only 157 Packard V-12s in 1938 and one of the rarest body
styles
• V-12 power
Packard's 424-cubic inch V-12 engine, the Twin Six, made the
company's fortune when it was introduced in 1916. It was
discontinued in 1923 due to cost concerns, leaving the company to
concentrate on six- and eight-cylinder motors for the remainder of
the 1920s.
The resurgence of multi-cylinder fever in the early 1930s brought
enormous V-12s and V-16s from Cadillac, Marmon, Pierce-Arrow and
Lincoln, prompting Packard to reintroduce a 445.5-cubic inch, 160
hp V-12 in 1932. Generating almost double the horsepower of the old
V-12, it was billed as the Twin Six for the first year and then
became famous as "The Twelve." It was built until 1939 and was
perhaps the finest American car of the decade.
Designed by C.W. van Ranst, who had worked for Harry Miller and
E.L. Cord, the engine boasted 322 foot-pounds of torque and could
propel enormous coachbuilt sedans and limousines to 60 mph in 20
seconds. One was timed at 101 mph, but Packard only claimed "in
excess of 85 mph."
The 67-degree engine was a modified L configuration with valve
stems almost horizontal and operated by a camshaft deep in the
engine's heads through roller rockers on hydraulically adjusted
eccentrics. The result was almost completely silent. In 1935
aluminum heads and a longer stroke boosted the engine displacement
to 473 cubic inches and the horsepower to 175, putting a genuine
100 mph in reach.
Most bodies emanated from LeBaron and the Murray Body Corporation,
but while Edward Macauley headed Packard's in-house styling
department, along with Alex de Sakhnoffsky, Raymond Dietrich was
the most influential figure. However by 1937 Dietrich had gone, and
the custom bodywork was shared between Brunn and Rollston. The
senior-series cars were updated with four-wheel hydraulic brakes
and independent front suspension, in common with their junior
siblings.
The car offered here is a five-place Victoria, a body style named
after a horse-drawn carriage, which featured fitted side-windows
and an expansive blind C-pillar. Preferred by owner-drivers, the
Victoria could be buttoned up tight in inclement weather, or the
top could be lowered into a well behind the doors, for a sleek open
look when the sun came out.
This car was sold new by Packard of Manhattan in New York City. It
was painstakingly restored a number of years ago and won a Classic
Car of America Senior First Place Trophy #1609. In recent years the
owner has used this Victoria as a tour car, for which he describes
it as ideal. Finished in gleaming black paint, it has a fine red
leather interior, banjo steering wheel and grey dash that was only
used for the 1938 model year.
The black canvas top has red piping, and the car carries twin
side-mounts with mirrors, twin spotlights and a rear trunk rack.
The chrome and paint are excellent, and overall this five-passenger
Victoria may be described as a superior motor car, reported to be
in sound mechanical condition .
VMC Stock ID: 241214
Mileage: 10183
VIN: A600378
Engine: V12
Transmission: 3-Speed
Gear Ratio:
Wheelbase: 134.4 inches
Wheels:
Tires: BF Goodrich Silvertown 8.25/16
Exterior Color: Black
Interior Color: Red Leather
