1934 Packard Twelve Individual Custom Convertible Sedan by Dietrich
A 1934 Packard Twelve Individual Custom Convertible Sedan bodied by Dietrich, built to the personal order of Arctic explorer and adventurer Louise Arner Boyd. The car accompanied Boyd and her chauffeur Percy Cameron on a 1935 research journey through rural Poland under a United States government delegation, and was documented in over 500 published photographs. Subsequently owned by Richard Jenkins, Phillip Goddard, and later Bill Hirsch of Newark, who carried out a full restoration and used the car extensively in competition, it has accumulated multiple AACA and CCCA awards and a class win at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.
Ownership
- —Auction saleEstimate US$1,200,000 – US$1,400,000
- 1934 →Factory deliveryLouise Arner Boydfull documentation
Ordered and built to her personal specifications, including a division window and reading lights. Used extensively for travel, including a 1935 research trip through rural Poland with her chauffeur Percy Cameron.
- → 1999Bill Hirschfull documentation
Newark, New Jersey, automotive supplies businessman who carried out a thorough restoration. He exhibited the car widely and used it as the inspiration for his company's logo; it also served as the reference for a Franklin Mint scale model.
- 1999 →Private salePresent ownerfull documentation
Kept the car in a high-quality collection for roughly two decades, entering it in CCCA CARavans and major concours events, and commissioning a cosmetic refresh in 2015.
- Date unknownRichard Jenkinspartial documentation
New Jersey resident; one of several subsequent owners after Boyd parted with the vehicle.
- Date unknownPhillip Goddardpartial documentation
Iowa resident; owned the car at some point in the chain between Boyd and Bill Hirsch.
Competition
- 2000AACAAACA Senior First PrizeSenior First Prize
Achieved while still in the present owner's collection, reflecting the car's well-maintained condition.
- 2001CCCACCCA Premier FirstPremier First
Awarded in the same year as the AACA Joseph Parkin Award.
- 2001AACAAACA Joseph Parkin AwardMost outstanding Packard in its division
Presented alongside the CCCA Premier First recognition in 2001.
- 2015Pebble Beach Concours d'EleganceAward winner, American Classic Open Packard class
Entered following a 2015 cosmetic restoration carried out in Longmont, Colorado.
- 2016Concours d'Elegance of America at St. John'sDon Sommer Award — Most Significant Classic
Stood out among a notable field that included multiple other significant Dietrich-bodied vehicles.
Maintenance & restoration
- 2015BodyworkColour Restoration
Cosmetic refresh carried out to prepare the car for Pebble Beach exhibition, covering paintwork and appearance items.
Workshop located in Longmont, Colorado.
- —Restoration
Comprehensive restoration to original condition carried out by Bill Hirsch, bringing the car back to its factory specification.
Hirsch was notably proud of the result and used the car's silhouette as the emblem of his automotive supply business.
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