256: 1936 Packard Twelve Convertible Victoria Start Price USD 162,500.00 Current Price USD 350,000.00 Time Left - Bid Count 8 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Saturday, August 02, 2008 End Time Saturday, August 02, 2008 Location Meadow Brook Hall, Rochester, MI See more about '256: 1936 Packard Twelve Convertible Victoria' Description click for larger image256: 1936 Packard Twelve Convertible VictoriaSeries 1407. 175 bhp, 473 cu. in. side-valve, twelve-cylinder engine, three-speed synchromesh manual transmission, four wheel semi-elliptic leaf springs, front beam axle, and live rear axle, and four-wheel vacuum assisted mechanical drum brakes. Wheelbase: 139"James Ward Packard purchased a car from pioneer manufacturer Alexander Winton in 1898. However, he found several shortcomings in his new car and let Mr. Winton know about them. Winton, however, felt that his car was the epitome of perfection and told Mr. Packard that if he wanted his ideas incorporated in an automobile he should build it himself.By November 1899, with the help of his brother and two former Winton employees, Packard had done just that. Four further cars were built that year, and 47 of a "Model B" in 1900, under the auspices of the New York and Ohio Company, a subsidiary of the brothers' Packard Electric Company, which manufactured transformers and electric lighting equipment. The cars were fairly conventional for the time, runabouts with a single-cylinder engine under the seat, two-speed planetary transmission and chain drive. Novel for the period, though, was an automatic spark advance.On 10 September 1900, the brothers formed the Ohio Automobile Company in their hometown of Warren, Ohio. Finding their customers satisfied, they adopted the slogan "Ask the Man Who Owns One". Men owning one included William Rockefeller and wealthy Detroit businessman Henry B. Joy, the latter buying large quantities of stock in the company. Joy subscribed the entire issue of 2,500 shares in 1902, at which time the firm became the Packard Motor Car Company. A year later, it moved to Detroit, where a huge modern concrete factory, designed by industrial architect Albert Kahn, was being built.Two and four-cylinder cars were built from 1902, but it was a single-cylinder car that bettered Winton's coast-to-coast record in 1903, driver Tom Fetch carving two days off the record in "Old Pacific". Other Packard competition included the Vanderbilt Cup races and sand racing at Ormond Beach in Florida, where chief engineer Charles Schmidt set a world record in January 1904. With the launch of the Model Thirty in 1907, Packard became a well-established builder of luxury cars, comprising, with Peerless and Pierce-Arrow, the "Three Ps" of prestige American automobile manufacturing.The Depression had a tremendous impact on fine car makers in North America, reducing sales to a fraction of what they were in the early 1920s. In fact, from 1929 to 1933, Packard production dropped by nearly half each year when compared with the previous. In spite of slipping sales, Packard continued to make improvements each year, and as a result, the company was able to maintain a hold on its market share; Packard would be the only member of the "Three Ps" to survive the Depression.A study conducted in 1936 revealed that 95 percent of the vehicles sold had a sticker price less than $750 considered the low-priced field by Depression standards. Nearly all of the remaining five percent sold in 1936 were considered mid-priced vehicles in the $1,000 price range. That left a mere fraction of one percent of the cars sold in America being luxury vehicles of the caliber and quality of the majestic Packard Twelve.Many consider the 1935 to 1939 Twelves to be the finest automobiles ever produced by the Packard Motor Car Company. It is certainly true that they represented the end of an era -- never again would Packard offer the exceptional quality of a hand-built senior car. In 1936 there were 5,100 production workers at Packard, 2,500 of them worked building 5,985 senior cars, while the remaining 2,600 workers produced an astounding 55,042 Packard 120 models. The distribution of labor is telling of Packard's commitment to producing the finest automobiles, even while economic pressures dictated a move to produce high volume inexpensive vehicles to keep themselves out of the red.For 1935, Packard introduced many changes that have made these later cars among the most highly prized collector cars today. More horsepower and improvements in suspension and steering made the 1935 (and later) cars easier and more comfortable to drive. For the first time the car was designed as a whole, with body, hood, fenders, and running boards integrated into a smoothly-executed design which has for years been regarded as one of the most attractive bodies of the era.The fourteenth series for 1936 was largely carried over from the previous year, but the slight differences remain important to collectors today � the most significant of these being a new radiator, which was raked back five degrees to give the car a much sleeker look. It also marked the last year for 17-inch wire wheels and the traditional double blade bumpers with hydraulic dampers.Most Packard Twelves were fitted with one of several different four-door sedan offerings but today it is the open cars that are most highly sought after by collectors. The example offered here carries the very attractive five passenger Convertible Victoria body style which is unique in combining the sporting appeal of a two-door open car with the ability to carry two couples in luxury and comfort. It is also worth noting that Dietrich's designers were able to fit a top mechanism that looks elegant when up, yet hides almost completely when folded.The striking Packard offered here is one of just 682 Twelves built by Packard in 1936. According to its original firewall data tag, it was delivered new by the noted California Packard dealer, Earle C. Anthony. Although the early ownership history is not known, by the late 1980s the car was in the hands of Gerry Mariani, a well-known Canadian Packard enthusiast. Later it was sold via RM Classic Cars to Lloyd Needham, a highly respected London, Ontario collector. Several years later, the vendor acquired the car.Finished in a striking shade of Packard Blue with a lovely tan leather interior accented by brushed nickel, rich woodgrain, and an elegant Hartz cloth top, this Packard is accented with twin sidemounted spares, fitted with matching original metal covers and accessory rearview mirrors. A lovely set of chrome wire wheels are fitted with wide whitewall tires. An in-dash radio, a rare and expensive option, is also installed. Notably, the headlights have been fully chrome plated, a rarely seen Packard option.A recent road test revealed that the car starts and runs well; the clutch action is smooth, and the transmission shifts quietly and easily. The restoration, while no longer fresh, remains very presentable. The engine bay exhibits signs of use, though it remains very clean and attractive.The quality of the restoration is attested to by the recognition the car has received on the show field. It was invited to participate in the Packard centennial in 1999 and later the same year it was the poster car for the Willistead Concours, where it also was awarded the Best in Show trophy. In addition, since restoration, the Packard has been awarded its CCCA Senior and Premier awards in national competition, and would still show strongly at any prestigious event throughout the country.Not only is this car well-known in Packard circles, but it retains its original body and engine, as well as all of its original data and body plates. This Packard Twelve Convertible Victoria offers the comforts of a closed car with the undeniable appeal of sporting coachwork, combined with the power and prestige of the mighty Packard Twelve.Auction House RM Auctions5 West Forest AveYpsilanti, MI United States 48197519.352.4575Important NoticeRM Auctions usually auctions automobiles at the rate of 20 lots per hour. 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