Re: Mid-30s Twelve what-if

Posted by 58L8134 On 2013/11/16 12:12:20

Hi

Paul's extravagant '37 1506 Twelve 'Rothschilds' coupe de ville set me to checking the specifications for that model. Consider it was on a 132 1/4" wb, 5335 lb touring sedan with the 180 hp 473 ci compared to the '34 1106 on 134 7/8" wb, 5400 lb LeBaron Runabout Speedster with the 160 hp 445 ci twelve. Other than the aerodynamic advantage of the speedster form over the sedan, wasn't the 1506 a 'sleeper' performance car wolf in ordinary sedan sheep's clothing. Of course, no Packard Twelve was ordinary in it's time, just the same, specification suggest it was capable of besting any challenger on the highway. Now, just think if Packard had continued to offer sport versions of their open cars as they had from 1922- 26 with lowered and narrowed bodies fitted to this lightest, most powerful chassis.

Of the factory photo mod, I'd bet if they used the phaeton long front doors and cowl with chrome windshield mated to the victoria coupe lower quarters/rear roof/deck such a body would have been a cinch. They would have had to fit the doors with wind-up windows to close it with the folding canopy. But what a great, high-style and performance models to field. While not many would have been sold, those few that were would have been seen in the company of the glitterati of the day, so good for their prestige reputation. Wonder if any 1506 chassis were custom-bodied?

Steve