Packard Twelve History
Packard's magnificent V12 of the classic era (1933–1939) — a rival to the finest Rolls-Royce, Cadillac V16, and Pierce-Arrow.
Photo: “1934 Packard 12 11th Series Model 1107 Club Sedan (6663854635).jpg” by David Berry from Rohnert Park CA, USA / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0
History
The Packard Twelve, introduced for 1933 (briefly badged Twin Six in its first year), was the company's flagship through the great Classic era. Its 60-degree L-head V12 grew from 445 to 473 cubic inches; by 1935 it produced 175 hp, propelling some of the most coachbuilt and admired American cars ever made.
Built to compete with Rolls-Royce, the Cadillac V16, and Pierce-Arrow, the Twelve carried bodies by LeBaron, Dietrich, and other great coachbuilders and is today among the most coveted of all Classic-era cars. Only about 5,262 of the second-generation Twelves were built before the line ended in 1939, as the multi-cylinder luxury market collapsed in the late Depression.
Generations
Packard Twelve · Twelve (V12 flagship)
Photo: “1934 Packard 12 11th Series Model 1107 Club Sedan (6663854635).jpg” by David Berry from Rohnert Park CA, USA / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0
Packard's 60-degree L-head V12, growing from 445 to 473 cubic inches and up to 175 hp, carried coachbuilt bodies by LeBaron, Dietrich and others through the Classic era.
1934 Photo: “1934 Packard Twelve 1108 Dietrich Convertible Sedan (3828552745).jpg” by Craig Howell from San Carlos, CA, USA / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0
1935 Photo: “1935 Packard 1207 12 Coupe Roadster (21560223020).jpg” by Sicnag / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0
1936 Photo: “1936 Packard Twelve Convertible Sedan - Automobile Driving Museum - El Segundo, CA - DSC02248.jpg” by Daderot / Wikimedia Commons — CC0 1.0
1937 Photo: “1937 Packard 1507 Roadster (34808770595).jpg” by Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0
Body styles
- Sedan
- Convertible
- Coupe
- Limousine
- Roadster
Related models
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