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 | — | Original V12 nomenclature; reverted to Twelve from 1933. |
| Twelve | 1933–1939 | — | Mainstream V12 production. |
| Dietrich / LeBaron coachwork | 1933–1937 | — | 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.
Regional ranges authored independently — each reflects its local market, not an FX conversion
Vintage cars require disciplined preventive maintenance: lubrication regimes, magneto service, carburettor synchronisation, brake adjustment, and timber and trim conservation. A car used regularly and serviced annually by a specialist will outlast a stored example neglected for decades.
Strong CCCA and Packard Club support; specialist mechanical and coachwork shops across the US. Confirm the availability of marque specialists, period-correct fasteners, coachwork trim, instruments and tyres before committing. A car requiring fabricated one-off parts will absorb time and cost that a similar example with active specialist support will not.
Each region quoted in its local currency — independent market readings, not FX conversions
Top coachwork firm; formal cars have softened modestly. Excellent value at the mid-tier.
| Date | Auction | Car | Mileage | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-08-16 | Gooding & Co. Pebble Beach | 1934 Twelve Sport Phaeton (Dietrich) | — | $946,000 Sold |
Top coachwork firm; mid-tier offers strong relative value.
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