America's pre-war V12 luxury benchmark — refined, smooth and the chassis of choice for the most ambitious coachwork.
The Packard Twelve (1933–1939) — earlier known as the Twin Six — was Packard's V12 flagship. Powered by a 7,755cc 67-degree V12 producing 160–175 bhp, the Twelve carried bodywork ranging from formal limousines (Packard's own factory bodies) to bespoke coachwork by Dietrich, LeBaron, Rollston and Brewster. Roughly 5,700 Twelves of all body styles were built across seven years, with Dietrich-bodied Sport Phaetons and convertible coupes among the most desirable.
America's pre-war V12 luxury standard; the chassis underneath some of the era's most flamboyant coachwork.
| Variant | Years | Production | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Twin Six (1932) | 1932 | Not separately recorded | Original V12 nomenclature; reverted to Twelve from 1933. |
| Twelve | 1933–1939 | Not separately recorded | Mainstream V12 production. |
| Dietrich / LeBaron coachwork | 1933–1937 | Not separately recorded | Bespoke open and convertible bodies. |
For pre-war and vintage cars such as the Packard Twelve, provenance is paramount. Chassis and engine number matching, period coachbuilder records, factory build sheets where available, continuous ownership documentation, original handbooks and any competition or concours history are the foundation of value. Coachbuilder identity, body style (open > closed), CCCA Full Classic status, continuous history.
The 7.7-litre V12 is famously smooth; carburation, ignition and the lubrication system are standard service items. Specialist support is strong in the US. A pre-purchase inspection by a recognised marque specialist should include compression and leak-down testing, magneto and ignition checks, chassis straightness and frame survey, axle and steering wear assessment, brake system review (mechanical or hydraulic per period), and an extended road test on varied terrain to expose carburation, cooling and gearbox issues that only emerge under sustained running.
Pre-war coachwork is rarely truly original after a century of use. Establish whether the body is original to the chassis (period photographs, build records, coachbuilder plates), whether it has been re-bodied at any point, and the standard of any restoration. Quality of timber framing, ash health, panel beating and paint depth are all critical. Concealed structural rot, re-bodies presented as original, and 'tribute' cars built on later or unrelated chassis must be priced accordingly.
Dietrich and LeBaron open coachwork leads; formal limousines and four-door sedans trade more modestly. For vintage cars, event eligibility — Mille Miglia, Goodwood Revival, Pebble Beach, VSCC events, Le Mans Classic — can underwrite a substantial proportion of market value. Verify FIA/FIVA papers, period race history where claimed, and the car's standing with the relevant marque registry before purchase.
| Date | Auction | Car | Mileage | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-02-27 | RM Sotheby's Miami | 1936 Packard 1407 Twelve Sport Phaeton | — | US$401,000 Sold |
| 2025-10-03 | Bonhams The Audrain Auction | 1934 Twelve 1107 Coupé | — | US$307,500 Sold |
| 2025-02-15 | Broad Arrow The Academy of Art University Collection | 1934 Twelve 1108 Convertible Victoria | — | US$357,000 Sold |
| 2024-08-16 | Gooding Christie's Pebble Beach Auctions | 1934 Twelve 1107 Coupé Roadster | — | US$423,000 Sold |
| 2023-08-17 | RM Sotheby's Monterey | 1933 Twelve Individual Custom Convertible Victoria | — | US$3,305,000 Sold |
Top coachwork firm; mid-tier offers strong relative value.
Our view, not advice. This section is Car Collector International's editorial judgement on where this model sits in the collector market, based on the production, specification and market data set out in this guide. It is not a recommendation to buy or sell and it is not investment advice. Values can fall as well as rise.
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The valuation figures in this guide are for research purposes only and do not constitute financial or investment advice. See our full disclaimer.
