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I was recently told that Packard never built any Super Eight V-windshield customs in 1933 or 1934. The only reason that there were a few 1932s assembled was because the 12 chassis came out late, and they started putting the customs on the Super Eight chassis. Once the 12 came on the scene, no V-windshield customs went on the Super Eight chassis from the factory.

There's a gentleman on the PackardClub.org site asking if anyone knows the current location of his old 1105 convertible victoria.

West, the gentleman insists again that it's a 1933 Twelve so he's mistaken about it being an 1105. He says it has a flat windscreen.

Yeah, my bad. When he mentioned 1105, I started thinking he had a Super Eight. If his was a 1933 Twelve, then it would be a model 1005.

Back to my question, though. I'm curious if anyone knows of a V-windshield Dietrich of any body style that was originally fitted to a 1933 or 1934 Super Eight chassis???

Can't say I recall seeing one, but most of the same Dietrich body styles (4002, 4068, 4069, 4070, 4071, 4072 and 4182) were available on both the 1108 and the 1105, at least according to Turnquist's book and other sources.

Hi

One supposes Packard would have gladly built such a combination if ordered, though dealers would have dissuaded the buyer, urging him to go for the ultimate chassis with that ultimate custom body, a Twelve.

One of those Dietrich styles was diverted from Packard: look closely at the '32 Lincoln KB Twelve Sport Berline Model 240, other than the flat windshield and attractive close-coupled quarters, the lower body is shared with the V-windshield convertible sedan.

Begs the question, why didn't Packard have this seductive sport sedan too????

Steve

Steve, I'm a great admirer of the KB Lincolns, but you don't think the 33-34 Packard Dietrich Sport Sedan was seductive as well?

I seem to recall a fairly recent article, in CCCA's quarterly I think, about these sport sedans. Perhaps it was by Walt Gosden - do you recall the article? I'm sure it's an issue I would have saved and now need to go look for.

Here's another example of a Dietrich sport sedan. I believe three of these were built, at least two are known to exist. There is also this exact same body on an existing REO Royale. Usually custom bodies were built in threes, so perhaps the third one ended up on the Royale.

google.com/search?q=32+Lincoln+KB+Twelve+Sport+Berline+Model+240&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=Ca7_UsLIMcK2yAGqooCYAQ&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1849&bih=1374#q=%221932+Lincoln%22+KB+Sport+Berline&tbm=isch&facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=TAHTKbtYS8BusM%253A%3BgjcitHIlghFRtM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.team-bhp.com%252Fforum%252Fattachments%252Fbeyond-borders%252F1014241d1352895368t-pebble-beach-concours-delegance-2012-02.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.team-bhp.com%252Fforum%252Fbeyond-borders%252F128340-pebble-beach-concours-delegance-2012-a-2.html%3B802%3B615

Even though they were catalogued I've never seen a single photo of one. The LeBaron phaeton also was listed as available on the Su8 chassis.

For 1933, aesthetically there is little reason to choose the Su8. However, I think the 9th series Individual Custom 8 by Dietrich is the high point. I remember a super low mileage coupe. I'd take that over the twelve any day. In Turnquist's book there is a spread of 9th series Custom Eights. I think they sold the most coupes, but I have seen one victoria, one convertible coupe, and one convertible sedan. Don Sears has a phaeton. So I have seen more 9th series Dietrich eights than Twin-Sixes. For the longest time the only the only Dietrich Twin-six to be seen was Dick Dewey's. Since then a few others have popped up, but none as nice as that coupe I saw years ago.

And of course most of the radiators on the eights have been painted over which looks like crap and is virtually impossible to reverse without it looking like collision repair.

Hi Dave

Oh yes, the '33-'34 Dietrich Sport Sedan is right at the top of my seductive Packards list! To take nothing away from those, but the Sport Berline version has specific details that elevate it just a bit higher for my taste. The convertible sedan-type, half-door construction with thin chrome window frames and the rear top shaped and separated from the trunk quarters make the difference. It, as well as the Dietrich Sport Sedans that West cites, were the very beginnings of the 3-box sedan architecture to eventually flower on the '38 60 Special. It's just one of my personal, quirky little obsessions, bear with me!

I recall that fine CCCA article too, have to delve into my stacks to find and revisit it. Authored either by Walt Gosden or Richard Burns Carson, it's one of the best examinations of that all-too-brief custom body trend.

Steve

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I guess we all have our likes and dislikes. I love the painted radiator shells. Not nearly as heavy looking as the chrome shells. But then, I dislike chrome wheels, Trippe lights and spot lights, too (Pilot Ray is okay by me).