1934 Packard Twelve Coupe Roadster, Eleventh Series, 1107 (142.5-inch wheelbase)

901634roadUnited States

Engine: V12
Colour: Silver with red leather interior

The fifth example produced of the rare 1934 Packard Eleventh Series Twelve Coupe Roadster (chassis 739-15, platform 1107), this car is documented in the standard reference work on the model. Originally retailed by the Zell Motor Car Company of Baltimore in June 1934, it passed through several noted American collectors and was professionally restored by John 'Jocko' McNeal of Orchard Auto Restoration, a leading specialist in Eleventh Series Packards. It was later featured in multiple books by automotive author Dennis Adler, including being named one of the 100 most beautiful cars ever made.

Ownership

—Auction sale
Sold US$417,500
RM Sotheby's catalogue lot →
→ 1934-06-21
Zell Motor Car Company of Baltimore
full documentation
Original selling dealer; firewall tag confirms this firm conducted the initial retail sale on the noted date.
→ 2010Acquisition unknown
Large collection in the American West
partial documentation
Anonymous multi-car collection somewhere in the western United States; custodianship lasted several years before the current owner acquired the car.
2010 →Private sale
Current owner
partial documentation
Houses the car as a prominent piece in a distinguished private museum; the vehicle has remained there for approximately 14 years prior to the auction offering.
Date unknownAcquisition unknown
Woodrow Portz
partial documentation
Long-term custodian based in Solon, Ohio; still held the car when the standard reference work on the model was compiled, retaining it well into the late 1970s.
Date unknownAcquisition unknown
Collector in St. Louis
none documentation
Brief or undocumented tenure following the Portz ownership; identity not recorded in the prose.
Date unknownAcquisition unknown
Pete Davis
partial documentation
One of several successive owners in the chain between the St. Louis collector and Bill Chorkey.
Date unknownAcquisition unknown
Dr. Larry Morawa
partial documentation
Held the car immediately before Bill Chorkey in the documented ownership sequence.
Date unknownAcquisition unknown
Bill Chorkey
partial documentation
Michigan-based enthusiast who commissioned a full restoration by John McNeal of Orchard Auto Restoration, a noted Eleventh Series Packard specialist; later sold to Dr. Murphy then repurchased when the Murphy collection was dispersed.
Date unknownPrivate sale
Dr. Joseph Murphy
full documentation
Pennsylvania-based collector assembling a curated group of Full Classics; during his tenure the car was featured in multiple books by Dennis Adler, including a list of the 100 most beautiful cars ever built.
Date unknownPrivate sale
Bill Chorkey
partial documentation
Repurchased the car upon dispersal of the Murphy collection; second ownership period ended when the car was permanently sold out of his stable.

Competition

No competition history extracted from the catalogue.

Maintenance & restoration

—Restoration
Orchard Auto Restoration
Full restoration carried out to a high standard in silver with red leather interior, with care taken to preserve original details including a Packard Proving Grounds test sticker inside the glove box.
Work performed by the late John 'Jocko' McNeal, regarded as a leading authority on Eleventh Series Packards; commissioned by owner Bill Chorkey.

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