Eric Minoff
Vice President, Head of Department - US
LOT 42
1934 Packard Twelve Model 1108 Individual Custom Convertible Sedan Coachwork by Dietrich Packard Vehicle no. 1108-45
Sold for US$456,000 inc. premium
Lot 42
1934 Packard Twelve Model 1108 Individual Custom Convertible Sedan
1934 Packard Twelve Model 1108 Individual Custom Convertible Sedan
Coachwork by Dietrich
Packard Vehicle no. 1108-45
Coachwork by Dietrich
Packard Vehicle no. 1108-45
445.5ci L-Head V-12 Engine
1 Stromberg Carburetor
160bhp at 3,200rpm
3-Speed Manual Transmission
4-Wheel Semi-Elliptical Leaf Spring Suspension
4-Wheel Drum Brakes
* One of just 960 twelve-cylinder 11th Series Packards built
* One of only about a dozen Dietrich Convertible Sedans known to survive
* In the collection of John O. Bohmer for 60 years
* A well-documented example of the pinnacle of Packard design
* CCCA Full Classic®
THE PACKARD 11TH SERIES TWELVE
The Packard Eleventh Series V12 is a quintessential American classic of the early 1930s. Making its debut in late 1933 for the 1934 model year (following Packard's typical off-sequence model schedule), it was essentially an evolution of the outgoing 10th Series. The 11th Series featured new fenders and other stylistic refinements giving a fuller appearance, enhancing the already elegant form of the 10th Series, and resulting in what many consider the quintessential Classic Era design. On the one hand, the leading manufacturers of the day competed to see which could be declared "King of the Hill" when it came to the multi-cylinder luxury car market. Cadillac, Auburn, Franklin, Lincoln and Pierce-Arrow all brought out 12-cylinder models in the early to mid-1930s, just as the Depression took a stranglehold on the world's economy. As Packard was generally acknowledged to have marketed the world's first production V12 with the 1916 "Twin Six", when their later twelve was introduced in 1932, it quickly became a standard by which others were measured. Its 67° V-block gave it the kind of smooth balance expected of a Packard and indeed when standing by one at idle, it may be difficult to discern if it is running or not, such is its level of refinement.
On the other hand, Packard styling for 1934 was a fleeting moment of perfection as industry priorities were changing rapidly. The market was demanding quieter smoother riding cars and drivers were expecting cars with lighter steering and better brakes. Wheels began to shrink – the stately 20" quickly gave way to 17" wheels and fenders gained skirting to hide the empty space as wheels shrunk. Up to 1934, the bodies were basically designed for the earlier 1930-32 era cars and the fenders and noses were changed to blend the two, somehow managing to retain the early 1930s elegance.
THE CAR OFFERED
This 1934 Packard 1108 is a gorgeous example of the rarely seen Style No. 4070 Convertible Sedan. It is one of just 960 11th Series Twelves built, and the gorgeous Convertible Sedan coachwork is highly desirable and rarely seen with only about a dozen examples surviving.
This example was in the collection of Packard enthusiast John Own Bohmer for some six decades. As documented in Bohmer's book A Man and his Cars, this rare Packard was in Minneapolis in the post-WWII era, owned by an Alaskan dentist who no doubt enjoyed it sparingly given the limited driving season up there. The car was eventually sold on to a friend of Bohmer's who drove the unrestored open Packard as daily driver. An enthusiastic motorist, he was also apparently an equally enthusiastic drinker and one night combined his two loves. Driving his rare Convertible Sedan late one night, he crashed the car at high speed—but managed to survive. It was at this point the Bohmer was finally able to acquire the Packard he had been chasing...albeit at a discount but in need of restoration. Purchasing the car for "a grand", the Packard was loaded up and brought home.
Sitting as a soon-to-be-started project from a decade, the restoration was started in earnest in 1977. Photos of the car prior to restoration are on file. Initially working to restore the car himself—and buying a disassembled '34 Twelve Touring Sedan as a part car—Bohmer set out working to bring the old girl back to her former glory. It was soon discovered that the 'custom' in 'Custom Dietrich' meant the parts car was not a final solution and set out to have full restoration completed by marque experts. The professional restoration took three years to complete and is documented in receipts and records. Once completed in 1982, the restored Custom Convertible Sedan was shown at the Packard meet in Warren, Ohio where it promptly won first place.
Maintained as part of Bohmer's expansive Classic Era collection until he passed away in 2022, the current owner acquired the car the next year.
The hallmark of a good restoration is not how it looks when finished but decades later, and this example demonstrates how a quality restoration can ripen with time. This Packard remains a worthy centerpiece to virtually any collection, with style and substance in abundance, equally capable of further concours accolades or returning many miles of sublime touring pleasure.
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