Beschreibung:

EX-SERGIO FRANKIE COLLECTION 1934 PACKARD V12 DUAL COWL SPORT PHAETON LeBARON REPLICA COACHWORK Chassis no. not applicable Engine no. 901838 Black with red leather interior Engine: V12, 445 ci., 160bhp at 3,200rpm, stromberg dual downdraft carburetors; Gearbox: three speed manual; Suspension: semi-elliptic front and rear leaf springs with dashboard adjustable shock absorbers; Brakes: four wheel, vacuum-assisted drums all around. Left hand drive. The true Classic Car era, 1925 through 1942, brought forth some of the best designs and craftmanship ever seen on automobiles from both sides of the Atlantic. The American coachbuilders led the world in numbers, quantity of cars produced, and arguably, in design as well. Consider these names: Dietrich, Holbrook, Judkins, Brunn, Locke, Murphy, Derham, Rollston, Walker, Willoughby and of course LeBaron. Each company built beautiful automobile bodies on the best cars of the era: Cord, Lincoln, Stutz, Duesenberg, Pierce-Arrow, Cadillac, Chrysler, Franklin and Packard. This 1934 Packard Phaeton is a prime example, combining the technologically superb Packard Eleventh Series V12 chassis with magnificent LeBaron design. Packard was the first company to introduce a V12 engined car into production in 1915 under the model name 'Twin Six' and its success was measured by 35,046 total production units before it gave way to a Straight Eight in 1922. The Detroit company dominated the luxury car market and it was in response to Cadillac's majestic V16 that the second generation V12s were introduced. The LeBaron Dual Cowl Phaeton is generally considered by classic car collectors as the most desirable of all Packards ever built and many connoisseurs feel that it may be the pinnacle design of the classic era. In 1934 one of the four original LeBaron Sport Phaetons was exhibited at the Paris Automobile Show where it won a prize for design excellence. The brainchild of Alexis de Sakhnoffsky, the Sport Phaeton was the dream car for the future. Its long fluid shape creates an illusion of great speed which is epitomized by the hood ornaments found only on the LeBaron-bodied cars. Only four of these authentic 1934 LeBarons exist today and as a result they are almost unobtainable. However, the example offered here is one of a handful of replica bodied LeBaron Packards. The chassis, running gear and motor on this car came from a low mileage 1934 Packard Limousine that was in excellent condition when the LeBaron body was initially built. It is believed that the work was done by a group of California coach builders who were commissioned by singer, Sergio Frankie, to build and finish the car as a dual cowl in silver with red leather interior. Several years later Mr. Frankie decided that the Packard was not finished to the highest standard and therefore had the Packard recommissioned in the lovely black with red color scheme it appears in today. Unfortunately, Mr. Frankie passed away during the second phase of the restoration and the Packard was sold from the estate. William Lassiter purchased the Packard in the late 1980s. Jack Dietz did all of the finishing work including refurbishing much of the chrome, replacing the convertible top irons and bows and fitting the rear cowl. The engine compartment and motor are both in clean and well presented condition and feature a Bijur Oil System and dual Stromberg carburetors. The exterior is well presented and shows only minor wear in some areas. Overall the Packard Dual Cowl Sport Phaeton is in good condition, though it is not recognized as a Full Classic by the Classic Car Club of America. It is eligible for tours and events under the Modified Classic category. The sale of this sexy LeBaron bodied Packard presents a wonderful opportunity to enjoy one of the most memorable and individual looking designs at only a fraction of the price of the original.