Eric Minoff
Vice President, Head of Department - US
LOT 138
1934 Packard Model 1102 Convertible Victoria Design by Dietrich, Inc. Chassis no. 72719 Engine no. 375159
Estimate: US$110,000 - US$140,000
Lot 138
1934 Packard Model 1102 Convertible Victoria
The Audrain Concours Auction|4 October 2024, 17:00 EDT|Newport, Rhode Island, International Tennis Hall of Fame
1934 Packard Model 1102 Convertible Victoria
Design by Dietrich, Inc.
Chassis no. 72719
Engine no. 375159
Design by Dietrich, Inc.
Chassis no. 72719
Engine no. 375159
320ci L-Head Inline 8-Cylinder Engine
Single Dual-Throat Carburetor
120bhp at 3,200rpm
3-Speed Manual Transmission
Front and Rear Solid Axles, Semi-Elliptic Leaf Springs
4-Wheel Drum Brakes
*One of the most desirable of production Packard bodies
*Exceptional refinement and engineering excellence
*Handsomely presented older restoration
*CCCA Senior Premier Winner, badge #1978
*Shown at Pebble Beach and Meadowbrook in 1996
*Includes color-matched trunk with fitted suitcases
*Offered from long-term static display and requiring recommissioning
THE 1934 PACKARD
Charles Dickens may have written "It was the best of times; it was the worst of times" about the beginning of French Revolution, but that sentiment applied just as well to Packard in 1934. The cars were wonderful, offered in a profusion of models, body styles and optional accessories, but the Great Depression was at its deepest and even Packard's elite clientele was not buying. It was cold comfort when Packard finished the year with 42.7% of the luxury car market. Cadillac and Lincoln were even worse off. Marmon and Peerless had called it quits in 1933 and Pierce-Arrow was well on its way to going out of business.
In the 1934 luxury market Packard's accomplishment was truly remarkable, but that success only amounted to only 8,000 cars, and these were spread out over three different engines and five different chassis configurations.
In addition to the inherent quality, luxury, performance and silence for which Packard was justly famous, the marque's design and styling combined conservative elegance with a hint of sporting flair. Raymond Dietrich had laid down the basic lines of Packard's cataloged and custom bodies while working for Murray Corporation subsidiary Dietrich, Inc. in the late 1920s. Ray Dietrich's concepts were embraced by Ed Macauley, who was appointed Packard's styling director in 1932 by his father – and Packard's President -- Alvan Macauley. Alexis de Sakhnoffsky joined Packard as a part-time consultant through the early 1930s, contributing his own sense of form, flow and streamlining to the development of Packard coachwork, work which was implemented with talent and skill by Werner Gubitz.
While the few remaining independent coachbuilders continued to body Packard chassis, the economy and Packard's extensive catalog of finely-styled designs kept most Packard coachwork production in their own expansive in-house facilities. That was, as it turns out, a serendipitous consequence as the Packard coachwork of the early 1930s, and particularly 1934, is among the best of the period.
Relying on Packard's traditional buttressed grille shell, since 1932 vee-shaped with vertical blinds, complemented by vee headlight lenses and the "down-tick" dart-shaped shoulder molding created by Hibbard & Darrin, Packard cataloged no less than thirteen standard bodies on the prestigious 1104 Super Eight alone. Deliveries of closed sedans predominated but it is the few, very special, open 1934 Packards that are most appreciated today. The essence of classic design and quality, their appeal is timeless.
THE CAR OFFERED
Of all the catalogue bodies offered by Packard on the 11th Series chassis, the 2-door Convertible Victoria has emerged as the most achingly desirable. Whether fitted to an 1102 Eight as offered here, or a Super Eight or Twelve – the Dietrich Convertible Victoria blends subtle sporting character with exquisite proportion and detail. With the top up, it is defined by the broad blind-quarters, when folded, the top sits low and flat thanks to the elegant dip in the rear section of the body, ensuring a clean and uncluttered profile.
This marvelous example was restored in the early 1990s while in the care of Classic Era collector Elliot Jones. The project reportedly took over three years to complete and is said to include a powder coated chassis for durability, and as many original parts as possible. The body is finished in ivory with burgundy fenders and accent lines, against a richly appointed burgundy leather interior.
Attesting to the quality of the work, this car was reportedly shown at Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in 1996, the prestigious Meadowbrook Concours in 1996, and again at Meadowbrook in 2003. In current ownership, the restoration remains exceptionally well preserved, with fine detailing found throughout. It has been on static display as part of a large private collection for an extended period, and as such, will require recommissioning to return to the road. A celebrated CCCA Full Classic, this handsome and desirable Packard is widely eligible for CCCA touring and show events and is certain to draw admiring looks wherever takes you.
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