1931 Packard Deluxe Eight Convertible Coupe by LeBaron, Series 845 (Eighth Series)
- Engine
- 6.3L (384.8 cu in) L-head inline-eight, single carburetor, ~120 bhp
- Colour
- Burnt orange with russet brown accents
A 1931 Packard Series 845 Deluxe Eight Convertible Coupe bodied by LeBaron on the 145-inch wheelbase chassis, and one of only three known survivors of its type. Distinguished by its flush-folding convertible top and flowing coachwork — lines so admired that Packard adapted them for factory production bodies through 1934 — the car spent roughly seven decades with the Meyer family of California and was comprehensively restored by Hill & Vaughn between 1977 and 1980, subsequently earning CCCA Senior Premier status and more than twenty consecutive concours awards on the West Coast.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$315,000
- 1965 →InheritanceRobert Meyerfull documentation
Received the car as a birthday gift from his father Leo; kept it in storage before initiating a full restoration at Hill & Vaughn beginning in 1977, completed in 1980, with a refresh in 1986.
- Date unknownPrivate saleLeo Meyerpartial documentation
California tomato farmer who purchased the car from a Chevrolet dealer in King City where it was being used as a tow vehicle; he initially continued using it as a farm tow vehicle before appreciating its original design and having the tow crane removed in exchange for missing body panels.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownEast Coast private collectorpartial documentation
Well-regarded collector who maintained the car carefully following its acquisition from the Meyer family; the car was consigned to auction from this collection.
Competition
- 1991Classic Car Club of AmericaClassic Car Club of America Senior Premier judgingSenior Premier honors (badge 0951SP)
The car received the CCCA's Senior Premier designation, representing a high-level concours achievement within that organization's judging program.
- —West Coast concours d'elegance events (multiple)Over 20 consecutive awards including First in Class and Best in Show
According to a 1989 letter from Hill & Vaughn, the car accumulated more than 20 consecutive show awards at various concours events along the West Coast.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1977RestorationHill & Vaughn
Full restoration commenced at Hill & Vaughn in November 1977 and completed in May 1980; described as a 100-point restoration, with the car subsequently registered in California as 1931PAC.
Phil Hill and Ken Vaughn's shop was regarded at the time as the premier restoration facility on the US West Coast. Hill personally identified the car as a rare factory semi-custom prior to commencement of work.
- 1980RestorationHill & Vaughn
Restoration completed.
Completion date of the restoration begun in November 1977.
- 1986Bodywork
Cosmetic refresh with updated Burnt Orange and Russett Brown paintwork applied.
- —Repair
Tow crane removed from the rear of the car and missing rear body panels reinstated, returning the vehicle to its original coachwork configuration.
The missing panels were obtained from Walter Paine in exchange for the crane that had been mounted on the car during its service as a farm tow vehicle.
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