Re: 120 Dietrich body Victoria 1937

Posted by 58L8134 On 2015/2/1 9:29:52

Hi flackmaster

".....how do the 120 convertible sedans, designated as Dietrich, with bodies not built by Packard not classify as custom coachwork?"

Man, there's a touchy question in some circles! Owners want their car recognized by CCCA as such, others are dead set against it. Its the stuff of heated arguments. The convertible sedan bodies all were built by Murray whatever the series. But the consensus is that a box of "Dietrich" coachbuilder tags was left on the shelf, so why not attach them to the new 120 convertible sedan bodies to give them a bit more cache in the showroom.

By this time, Ray Dietrich was years out of his eponymous company, being frustrated by Chrysler body engineering at every turn when he tried to give their cars even a modicum of stylishness..... To say that company wasted the talents of a great designer is to make massive understatement!

Steve

PS: Thanks Owen for posting the photo of the late Ed Hermann's 120 LeBaron convertible Victoria, its a real gem. Makes one wish they had included that style at least for 1937.