A competitor is said to have famously described Raymond Dietrich as “a man that the gods smiled upon.” Indeed, before striking out on his own in 1925, the redheaded young designer built an enviable résumé that included some of America’s most prestigious custom coachbuilders. He was an apprentice draftsman at Brewster, where he met Thomas Hibbard, with whom he would co-found LeBaron in New York City. Hibbard eventually went to Paris and decided to stay, while Dietrich was lured to Detroit by the Murray Body Corporation, through Edsel Ford’s influence. There, he took 50 percent ownership of a new firm, Dietrich Inc., which initially worked largely on Lincoln chassis, no doubt to the enthusiasm of the intellectual Mr. Ford.

However, Dietrich’s lasting glory would come as the result of the custom bodies that he produced for several Packard agencies. One of these agencies took three custom show cars that he bodied on a nationwide tour in 1926. At tour’s end, Dietrich received a shocking 150 orders. This was a number that did not escape Packard President Alvan Macauley’s notice. Macauley ordered another 175 bodies, beginning a long association of Detroit and Packard, which resulted in hundreds of custom and semi-custom bodies for the cars of East Grand Boulevard.

The most prestigious of these were the so-called Individual Customs, which were produced on Super Eight and Twelve chassis from 1932 through to 1934. Built largely to individual tastes, as true “factory customs” are, these striking bodies were known for their lithe and sporty lines, which were created by the vee’d windshields, a beltline that curved away from the windshield, and an extraordinary long hoodline, and they were assembled on massive 147.5-inch wheelbase chassis. They were tremendously expensive, particularly in 12-cylinder form, and with a modified L-head V-12 that could displace 445.5 cubic centimeters and develop 160 brake horsepower under the hood, the Dietrich Packard had power to match its style. It was a masterpiece of form and function.

FROM THE COLLECTION OF A CONNOISSEUR

Robert Bahre and his family have stood at the peak of American motorsport for five decades. Following ownership of various New England tracks and racing teams since the mid-1960s, Mr. Bahre opened New Hampshire International Speedway in June 1990. The speedway was remarkably designed, yet it was constructed without consulting engineers. It became known as a tremendously successful and challenging track, and it has grown over the years to become the largest sporting venue in New England, as well as a highlight of the NASCAR circuit.

Off the track, one of Mr. Bahre’s lasting passions has been for the world’s finest antique automobiles, in particular, Dietrich Individual Customs on Packard’s most desirable Classic Era chassis. Over the years, he has been able to build a complete collection of superb examples, with each being restored by the finest artisans and all being held among Packard cognoscenti as the finest of their kind.

During the early years of his collection, in 1981, Mr. Bahre acquired an original Dietrich Individual Custom Convertible Sedan from Harrah’s Automobile Collection. The car, which was mounted to a 904 Super Eight chassis, had resided in Harrah’s fabled halls since 1962. Earlier ownership was recorded as Edgar C. Lawrence and James F. Baccardo, both of San Jose, California.

Mr. Bahre’s passion, however, was for Dietrich Individual Custom Packard Twelves. As luck would have it, an opportunity presented itself in the form of his friend, Bob Adams, who owned a donor chassis, engine, and drivetrain, which had only 18,965 miles, from an appropriate Ninth Series Twin Six that had also been acquired from Harrah’s.

Soon, Mr. Bahre had purchased the Twin Six and set his plans to work. Both cars were delivered to respected Packard restorer Steve Gunder, of Topeka, Kansas. Mr. Gunder removed the Super Eight’s Dietrich bodywork and installed it on the newly acquired Twin Six chassis. The body was in excellent condition, and as such, all of the original body panels were able to be saved, in addition to all of the correct Dietrich hardware.

Rich lacquer paint was applied, in the factory color of Packard Maroon, as well as soft plum leather upholstery, which provides an elegant contrast to the black canvas top. These colors emphasize the joyful dual personality of the Convertible Sedan design that was created by Raymond Dietrich, a man who insisted that his convertibles look as good with the top up as it does with it down. With the top and division window raised, it is a formal sedan for elegant occasions. With the top lowered, the windows disappear into the doors and the Packard becomes a lighthearted open tourer. Its lines are set off by chrome wire wheels and wide whitewall tires, and the car looks spectacular with its top up or down, demonstrating the genius of Dietrich’s eye.

Mr. Bahre is an enthusiast who prides himself in cars that are not only restored by the best but also maintained by the best. Accordingly, the Packard has enjoyed excellent care over the last three decades. The result is a restoration that belies its age, as its paint, interior, and chrome are crisp and nearly fresh, and it is still virtually show ready in all regards. Importantly, the car is still equipped with the vacuum-assisted clutch that was available only on the Ninth Series Twin Six, and it still functions properly.

The car is accompanied by a collection of documentation that dates back to the 1960s, including Harrah’s registrations.

Only rarely has Mr. Bahre chosen to part with one of his cherished Dietrich Individual Custom Packards. Indeed, this car is only being sold because a duplicate has now been acquired for the collection. Offered here is that rare opportunity, for a connoisseur of equal foresight and superb taste.