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https://packardinfo.com/xoops/html/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=7814&cid=31

Would that be the proving grounds house in the background???? Sure looks like it from other pics i've seen. cAption does not indicate location.

Perhaps the Proving Grounds, I'm not sure. The car, which is obviously misidentified as a phaeton, is perhaps a 4th Series town car, similar to a 645 town car by Murphy seen at the PAC National in Boston (Danvers). A rather poor photo of the Murphy 645 town car taken on that occasion is attached.

Kev, the picture caption should be corrected from "phaeton" to "town car".

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Dave
The 1927 car is more than just a town car. It indeed has a second cowl, which would need to be moved somehow before passengers entered or exited.

The 645 Murphy town car you posted belongs to Bob Valpey and is an all-original car.

West, Bob Valpey's indeed and a wonderful piece, I was reluctant to mention his name, some folks can be sensitive about that. As to the other town car, do you know whose coachwork it was, and if it has survived?

Quote:
No. I'd love to know how it works, though. The top that would have to cover the second cowl and the driver's compartment is quite long. You'd think there'd have to be some sort of support system. I also wonder if the top for the back "cabin" is openable??? I have no idea who the coachbuilder is... LeBaron, maybe??

Gee, I don't have an idea, I suppose it could be Brewster, Holbrook, or even (remotely) Willoughby. I'll forward a picture to Jim Pearsall - he's about the most knowledgeable I know for cars like this.

Looking through Hugo Pfau's book, Judkins has a similar-looking sedan, where the back rear-most quarter comes down. Another thought would be Kellner.
Where did this photo come from?

Based on the file#, the photo is from the Making of Modern Michigan collection. Guess we should go back to the source and see if the identification was just incorrect on the original, or somehow got transposed.

EDIT - Went back to MMU site and found it, it's called a 343 phaeton by Kellner. So perhaps it's a Kellner and the description of the body type was an error in the original archives? Or perhaps the rear portion of the top is removeable as well? Whatever it is, it's certainly unique.

EDIT #2 - Thus, to respond to the initial question, I'd assume the photograph was taken somewhere in France and not the Proving Grounds.

I'm not sure what to call the body style with the rear cowl and cab configuration like that. Town car doesn't quite seem right, either. I wonder if that rear top section just removes completely, which would indeed mean it's a dual cowl phaeton... or could at least transform into one. How about, "transformable phaeton"?

Aaagh. I just read the caption for the first time. It says Kellner... and that the top is raised. So that means it does go down.