Vehicle Description
August 21st 1933 market the introduction of Packard's beautiful
11th series. The 11th series is the last, and in the opinion of
many, the very best of the classic era Packards before the era of
streamlining came to dominate styling trends among American
automobile manufacturers. The curvaceous, full-figured fenders and
v-shaped grille of the 11th Series form an elegant yet imposing
look that defines the classic era. As before, buyers had their
choice of eight-cylinder and twelve-cylinder models on a variety of
wheelbases. At the entry level was the Standard Eight, followed by
the Super Eight with its additional power, trim and more luxurious
body options. At the top of the range lay the Twelve, which had
been renamed from the earlier "Twin Six". The Twelve was powered by
the magnificent 445 cubic inch, side-valve V12 which delivered a
silken 160 horsepower in virtual silence. A fully synchronized
transmission and adjustable vacuum assisted four-wheel brakes made
it a sublime machine to drive. It is said that it was Packard's
magnificent V12 engine that inspired Enzo Ferrari to use the same
layout in his own sports cars. While the entry level Eight models
were offered with various catalog body styles, the prestigious 1108
Twelve was often custom-bodied by the finest coachbuilders in the
world to individual client specifications. Packard produced more
than 8,000 vehicles in 1934 but just 960 left the Detroit factory
equipped with the expensive and exclusive V12 engine. Among
American coachbuilders, Derham of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is one
of the lesser known; despite the fact that it outlasted virtually
every one of its more famous competitors - surviving well beyond
the era of custom coachbuilding into the 1960s. Founded in by
Joseph Derham 1887 as Rosemount Carriage Works in Philadelphia's
Main Line area, it was said that Derham's coaches rivaled those
from Brewster in terms of quality and style. Their first auto body
was a closed limousine built for local woman Pansy Griscom in 1907,
who incidentally remained a loyal client through until 1960. Joseph
Derham's sons entered the business and soon found a niche market
for quality "semi-custom" bodies which were of beautiful quality,
but less expensive than fully custom coachwork offered by others.
They cleverly partnered with local dealers to provide small
production, semi-custom bodies. By 1920, this formula was proving
quite lucrative and with more than 200 employees in their
Philadelphia works, over 250 cars per year were built, most of
which went to dealers and distributors. But amid the production
work, their custom coachwork continued, with lusciously styled
custom bodies trickling out on Rolls-Royce, Duesenberg and Packard
Chassis. Interestingly, Derham operated into the 1960s when it was
purchased by Albert A Garthwaite, founder of the famous Algar
Ferrari dealership which still survives today. This handsome and
imposing 1934 Packard 1108 Twelve (Chassis 1108-88) wears one such
custom body built by Derham Body Co. This custom Sports Sedan was
originally constructed in 1930 and supplied on a Packard 745
chassis owned by John Bromley. Mr. Bromley upgraded to a new
Packard Twelve in 1934 and, like many loyal Derham clients, had the
body from his older car updated and transferred to the new chassis.
The body is in a sporty and elegant close-coupled style with an
upholstered roof and faired-in, upholstered trunk. The low roofline
and short cabin accentuate the 1108's long bonnet, making for a
stunning visual effect, particularly when viewed in profile.
1108-88 remained in Mr. Bromley's possession until the 1950s when
it was sold to a Packard dealer and disassembled for restoration.
It remained unfinished when it was sold again in 1965, changing
hands again to Mr. Ken Vaughn who purchased the car sight unseen
for $750 and shipped it to his southern California home. The late
Mr. Vaughn was widely regarded as one of the finest restorers of
Packard automobiles, and he restored this car alongside his young
son Glenn, prior to teaming up with another noted Packard
enthusiast, Phil Hill, to establish Hill &Vaughn Restorations.
While the car was described as "a mess" when the Vaughns received
it, the original components and body were intact the restoration
was completed to a very high standard. The elder Vaughn showed the
car extensively in the 1970s, amassing 5,000 miles in the process.
The beautiful Derham sports sedan earned awards at CCCA Grand
Classics as well as a First in Class and Gwenn Graham Most Elegant
Car Award at Pebble Beach in 1972. The Twelve then found its way to
the prestigious Otis Chandler Collection in the late 1990s, who
returned to Pebble Beach with 1108-88, where it was awarded a
second in class - wearing a then-30-year-old restoration! The car
remained with Mr. Chandler until his passing in 2006. Today, the
Derham Sports Sedan remains as elegant and stylish as ever. The
restoration belies its age, a testament to the quality of Mr
Vaughan's work. The tan main body sits atop deep brown fenders. The
fenders and brown body swage lines are accented with orange coach
stripes which complement the orange wheels. The fixed "faux
convertible" roof is trimmed in tan canvas which is repeated on the
upholstered trunk and side-mount spare wheel covers. The paint
remains remarkably good, showing some minor cracking, crazing and
touch ups in a few areas but still shiny and very attractive. The
extensive brightwork presents very well, with very good bumpers,
lamps and details such as Packard Twelve hub caps and
Packard-script outside mirrors. The painted radiator shell is
adorned with chrome slats and topped with a Goddess of Speed
mascot. The luxurious interior is simple yet exquisitely appointed.
Tan broadcloth upholstery is fitted front and rear over brown
carpeting, and the interior chrome fittings remain simply
beautiful. The dash features original instruments, a correct
original radio, and the wood-grain finish presents in very good
order save for one notable scuff. Rear passengers have a fold-down
armrest, cigar lighters, and a robe rail with lap blanket. The
quality of the interior is excellent, showing the great care this
car has received while in the hands of its enthusiastic owners.
While the cosmetic presentation is quite impressive, it is in the
performance where this V12 Packard truly makes its mark. It runs
strong and drives beautifully, delivering power in virtual silence
and exceptional ease thanks to the synchronized gearbox, vacuum
assisted brakes and surprisingly light steering once underway. Just
five examples of this body style were built by Derham, and this is
the only one fitted to a 1934 1108 chassis, making it a true
one-off. It delivers in terms of exclusivity, style and outstanding
history in a beautifully presented and utterly usable package.