1938 Packard - Significant Cars, Inc.

Packard was founded by brothers James Ward Packard , William Doud Packard and his partner George Lewis Weiss in the city of Warren, OH. James Ward believed that they could build a better horseless carriage that the Winton cars owned by Weiss (An important Winton stockholder) and James Ward, himself a mechanical engineer, had some ideas how to improve on the designs of current automobiles. By 1899, they were building vehicles. The company, which they called the Ohio Automobile Company, quickly introduced a number of innovations in its designs, including the modern steering wheel and years later the first production 12-cylinder engine.

While Ford was producing cars that sold for $440, the Packards concentrated on more upscale cars that started at $2,600. Packard automobiles developed a following not only in the United States, but also abroad, with many heads of state owning them.

In need of more capital, the Packard brothers would find it when Henry Joy, a member of one of Detroit's oldest and wealthiest families, bought a Packard. Impressed by its reliability, he visited the Packards and soon enlisted a group of investors that included his brother-in-law, Truman Newberry. In 1902, Ohio Automobile Company became Packard Motor Car Company, with James as president. Packard moved its automobile operation to Detroit soon after and Joy became general manager and later chairman of the board. The Packard's factory on East Grand Boulevard in Detroit was designed by Albert Kahn, and included the first use of reinforced concrete for industrial construction in Detroit. When opened in 1903, it was considered the most modern automobile manufacturing facility in the world and its skilled craftsmen practiced over eighty trades.The 3.5 million ft plant covered over 35 acres and straddled East Grand Boulevard. It was later subdivided by eighty-seven different companies. Kahn also designed The Packard Proving Grounds at Utica, MI.

Throughout the nineteen-tens and twenties, Packard built vehicles consistently were among the elite in luxury automobiles. The company was commonly referred to as being one of the "Three P's" of American motordom royalty, along with Pierce and Peerless. Packard's leadership of the luxury car field was supreme.

Entering into the 1930s Packard attempted to beat the stock market crash and subsequent depression by manufacturing ever more opulent and expensive cars than it had prior to October 1929. The Packard Twin Six was introduced for 1932, and re-named the Packard Twelve for the remainder of its run (through 1939). For one year only, 1932, Packard tried fielding an upper-medium-priced car called the Light Eight. As an independent automaker, Packard did not have the luxury of a larger corporate structure absorbing its losses as Cadillac did with GM and Lincoln with Ford. However, Packard did have a better cash position than other independent luxury marques. Packard also had one other advantage that some other luxury automakers did not; a single production line. By maintaining a single line, and inter-changeability between models, Packard was able to keep its costs down. Packard did not change cars as often as other manufacturers did at the time. Rather than introducing new models annually, Packard began using its own "Series" formula for differentiating its model change-overs in 1923. New model series did not debut on a strictly annual basis, with some series lasting nearly two years, and others lasting as short a time as seven months. In the long run, though, Packard did average approximately one new series per year. By 1930, Packard automobiles were considered part of the "Seventh Series". By 1942, Packard was in its "Twentieth Series". There never was a "Thirteenth Series".

This stunning car, one of only 5 built in 1938, 1 of 3 known to exist and 1 of only 2 without sidemounts, has been the subject of a long term personal restoration, which is nearly complete. Style # 3087- called the Cabriolet deLuxe was commissioned by Packard to promote its Reengineered Senior Cars as well as lend prestige to the entire Packard line. The Senior Cars featured a new independent suspension that moved the front end under the engine for improved steering and handling, while also shortening the front end by 5 inches, resulting in a new geometry and look. Most cognoscenti consider this body and the companion Touring Cabriolet (#3086) as the pinnacle of late Classic Era Packard design. These bodies were the first truly custom built Packards as they were not only handbuilt by Brunn but were also installed at the Coachbuilder in contrast to most other custom bodied cars which typically shipped "in the white" to Packard, and finished and installed at the Packard Factory. These were the most expensive Packards offered in the Pre War era at a cost of $8,510.00.

The flowing lines of the Brunn Coachwork with its fully integrated trunk stand alone. The uninterupted Front Fenders draw ones eyes rearward and perfectly accentuate the arched belt line. Finished in Indian Maroon with a Black Top, the car sports many unique features. With a Full Leather Front Seat, the drivers compartment has a fold back convertible top for configuration as a Town Car. In the Rear, the passengers are given privacy by the Divider Window. The luxurious broadcloth upholstery features a side facing single jump seat-ideal for secretarial use- an Intercom for rear passengers, a separate trunk mounted Radio with arm rest controls, rear compartment clock, beautiful Walnut trim, and of course a collapsible rear landaulet roof.

The seller, a well respected Packard 12 expert and restorer, states this is the finest car he has ever restored, the body was in excellent condition and required no woodwork whatsoever. The car has been nut and bolt restored from the ground up, and was completely rebuilt. It runs and drives quite well, and just needs some minimal sorting (radio installation and some final buffing and touch up) which will be accomplished prior to delivery of the car to its new owner.

This is a rare opportunity to acquire one of the finest Custom Bodied late Packard 12's.