Packard’s twelve-cylinder models were, by the late 1930s, the height of American engineering and design, adopting more streamlined, graceful styling that embodied the vigorous spirit of their age. Accordingly, they remain among the most desirable cars that this great manufacturer ever produced, especially the open models such as the five-passenger convertible victoria, with its long, fleet lines taken from designs by the revered Raymond Dietrich.

The car offered here bears its original vehicle number and body number tags, identifying it as a genuine twelve-cylinder convertible victoria, delivered by the famous Earle C. Anthony of Los Angeles on 2 July 1936. One can well imagine the first owner that it must have had, driving his or her new treasure down Sunset Boulevard. Eventually the car made its way North, and was fully restored for Mr. Needham by Tim Reaume of Chatham, Ontario, several years ago, as the final restoration completed for his distinguished collection.

The body is richly finished in a lustrous, subtly metallic Golden Tan, with a tight proper red leather interior and tan cloth top; the dashboard is correctly finished, with bright, clear gauges, including a factory radio, while the engine compartment shows only minor signs of age and use. The wire wheels are painted body color and shod with whitewall tires, which have a wonderful period-correct look, accentuated by the dual side-mounts with metal covers and mirrors. A classic Packard cormorant graces the radiator shell. At the time of cataloguing the car recorded 17,265 miles.

Mr. Needham last exhibited the car, with preparation by RM Auto Restoration, at the Cobble Beach Concours d’Elegance in 2016, receiving the Tom Thomson Art Gallery Timeless Design award. It has remained on display in his collection since, and is offered here to an owner who will treasure it just as he did for many years.