Rare pre-war Packard V12 put up for auction (41 photos)
One of the most elegant classic cars of the pre-war era was put up for sale, and even with a custom body from the Dietrich studio. Produced from 1933 to 1939, the flagship 12-cylinder Packard Twelve (the brand’s line then also included 8- and later 6-cylinder models) cannot be called very small-scale, since over 35 thousand of them were assembled, a significant part of which have survived to this day. day. 
The popularity of the car among the powerful then and among collectors now was explained not only by its impressive exterior and luxurious interior, but also by its well-designed engine. The 6.9 to 7.8 liter overhead valve V12, depending on the generation, provided decent power by the standards of its time and had a quiet and smooth ride, which was a must for executive cars such as Packard.
Most Packard Twelves were shipped to customers as factory units. Versions with custom bodies from LeBaron and Dietrich cost more, and are now valued significantly more. One of these cars, a four-door convertible sedan from Dietrich, is currently being sold at the Bring a Trailer auction.
The Packard Twelve is equipped with a 160-horsepower 7.3-liter V12 with a 2-barrel Stromberg carburetor mated to a 3-speed manual transmission. Drum brakes on all wheels with mechanical drive and vacuum booster. The front and rear suspensions include solid axles with leaf springs and double-acting hydraulic linkage shock absorbers, the stiffness of which can be adjusted via a knob under the instrument panel. The chassis is equipped with a Bjiur automatic lubrication system. The cabin has a retractable glass partition between the driver and passenger area.
This car was sold new in Los Angeles 90 years ago and has only had a couple of owners since then, ending up in a private collection. Having undergone a complete restoration of the body, engine, chassis and interior to new condition in the 21st century, he collected a harvest of awards at various auto beauty competitions (Pebble Beach 2010, Amelia Island 2011) and even starred in a movie (“Law of the Night”). Bidding has already exceeded $701,000. 
