One of the exceptionally rare “catalogue custom” bodies designed by the great Raymond Dietrich and built by his Dietrich Inc. on Packard chassis, this 745 Deluxe Eight Convertible Victoria was delivered by the Boston branch of Packard Motor Company in Portland, Maine, on 12 May 1930. While the present vehicle number plate is a reproduction, a copy of an early repair invoice from the Boston dealer, included in the file, records both the first owner’s name as well as the original chassis and engine numbers, still present on the car today.

Philip F. Chapman, the owner in question, was a prominent Portland banker, real estate developer, philanthropist, and political kingmaker, who at the time was considered one of the city and state’s most influential citizens. He was responsible for the construction of one of the city’s first skyscrapers, then known as the Chapman Building but long since dubbed the Time & Temperature Building, for its rooftop sign that greets those arriving in Portland’s harbor. It is noteworthy that Mr. Chapman was honored for his retirement from his namesake bank on 14 May—so one wonders if this was a retirement present, even if to himself.

Mr. Chapman drove his Packard to Florida every fall to spend the winter on his yacht at Daytona Beach. At the time of his death in 1949, the Packard was at the marina and remained there, essentially abandoned, until 1958. The estate was settled that year and the car was sold into storage, where it was discovered in the mid-1960s by Classic Car Club of America member Hubbard Clapper of Orlando. Mr. Clapper wrote that, when discovered, the car was in somewhat poor condition but amazingly intact, save only for its gas cap.

The new owner undertook a meticulous restoration, after which Raymond Dietrich obligingly authenticated the car as one of his creations, documented by a copy of his letter, included in the car’s history file. Following its restoration, the Convertible Victoria appeared on the cover of the Winter 1974 issue of the Packard International Motor Car Club’s magazine, along with an article detailing its history. The Clappers enjoyed showing “Victoria” for some years.

Eventually the Packard was sold on to Lester Bowen of Marco Island, in whose ownership it was freshly restored by noted craftsman Steve Cooley in its very striking colors inspired by period Packard advertisements. Mr. Bowen displayed the car at many events, achieving Premier status in CCCA competition and, notably, Second in Class at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in 1998.

The Dietrich Convertible Victoria eventually passed into the ownership of noted collector J. Peter Ministrelli of Troy, Michigan, in whose hands it won its class at the Meadowbrook Concours d’Elegance in 2004. It was sold the following year to the Petersen Automotive Museum and has remained a stalwart of that collection for the past two decades, often displayed in the famous Vault. The restoration is older but largely well-preserved and still highly attractive, and retains such desirable details as the original Dietrich body tag on the sill wood.

This exceptionally rare, desirable custom-bodied Deluxe Eight, believed to be the only surviving example of its kind, is a worthy addition to any collection of the finest Senior Packards.