I'd like to invite any of y'all to visit Scotty's Castle in Death Valley National Park either before or after this event.

The historic owner of Scotty's Castle - Albert Johnson was a long time Packard owner and we have on display here his 1914 7 passenger touring sedan - one of only 4 left in the world - and his 1933 Twelve Coupe Roadster.

The castle grounds are open from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM 7 days a week.

Thanks and hope to see some of you.

Mike Wehmeyer
Scotty's Castle
Death Valley National Park, California

Quote:

Tim, thanks for the quick reply! So fw # is really 176397, number from the plate is 639 44, and the motor # is 901361. Haven't found the other 3 s/n as the car is a bit hard to get under right now. The delivery date and dealer info on the plate are blank. Looks like the car was at the proving grounds in May 1933.

We have a picture of Albert Johnson standing in front of the car at his home in Chicago. It must've been taken in early '33 as he sold the house and moved to California that year. The picture also helps us confirm stories that we've had handed down to us about his driving ability - the right side white walls are pretty well scuffed Mr. Johnson gave this car to a family member but several years later she married someone he did not approve of and he took the car back and drove it out here to the Castle where it has been ever since.

In the background of this picture in the driveway sits another Packard - still trying to determine the year based on the front end. Mr. Johnson owned Packards almost exclusively since at least 1912 as he wrote a letter to his sister in 1913 stating that his "old" Packard was running fine but he want the big six cylinder touring car so the family could travel together. As a result he bought a 4-48 in 1914. That car is here at the Castle as well.

Given that '33 was the worst year of the depression for the US would Mr. Johnson have paid MSRP do you think? Given the relatively small number of cars Packard built that year one would think he might have been able to negotiate a good price, especially as he had been a Packard owner since the early 1900's and he was known to be a very "thrifty" individual.

Mike

Hello,

Trying to verify some information on the 1933 Packard that is here at Scotty's Castle in Death Valley National Park.

I have this car as a 1933 Twelve Coupe Roadster, model 1005, body style 639, build # 44, firewall # is I(eye)76397. Do these numbers make sense? I don't know where to look on the engine for the s/n or where to find the body number either - any help would be appreciated. I also understand that there were some 500+ of this car produced?

Thanks,
Mike Wehmeyer
Scotty's Castle
Death Valley National Park.

PS - we also have a 1914 touring sedan and we understand it is only 1 of 4 left in the world.