As America's luxury automobile builders entered the cylinder wars of the early 30's Packard countered in 1932 with a new Twin Six. Designed like its predecessor to be the smoothest, most quiet powerplant on the market, its L-head, 473 cubic inch displacement design emphasized abundant torque and nearly imperceptible power impulses from the firing of the twelve cylinders, not specific power output. This 1936 Packard Twelve is the 927 Convertible Victoria, a design badged with the Dietrich name which had in 1931 become Packard's in-house coachworks for Senior series coachwork. It is one of the most attractive examples of American coachwork, a superbly balanced, elegant and refined creation that complements the 1936 Packard's raked, vee radiator, skirted front fenders and simple, understated chrome. It is a gorgeous older restoration in dark blue with inviting cognac leather upholstery and interior trim and a tight-fitting tan Haartz cloth top. The exterior is subtly highlighted with chrome wire wheels, wide whitewall tires, dual enclosed sidemount spares with mirrors, luggage rack and chrome headlight housings. The interior is richly finished with beautiful woodgrain and instruments with the unusual accessory of a radio. It is a 1977 AACA Senior National First Prize winner plus a Classic Car Club of America Premier winner in its present guise. It has been magnificently maintained with little use. Everything was done and it was done right, as its preservation demonstrates. Condition aside, though, it is the fabulous convertible victoria coachwork that makes this Packard Twelve stand out, a design that will bring enthusiastic comments from any onlooker, especially when it glides nearly silently by at 70mph.