1934 Packard Eleventh Series Twelve Individual Custom Dietrich Convertible Victoria
- Colour
- Charcoal
This 1934 Packard Eleventh Series Twelve carries bespoke coachwork by Dietrich in the Individual Custom convertible victoria style, distinguished by unique teardrop fenders derived from a LeBaron/de Sakhnoffsky design and originally fitted to only two cars. Once part of Packard's traveling exhibition fleet, it was later owned by a Puerto Rican jurist before falling into taxi service and eventual abandonment. After repatriation to the United States, a multi-decade restoration was completed by RM Auto Restoration, culminating in Best of Show honours at both the 2013 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and the 2016 Concours d'Elegance of America.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$3,745,000
- 1934 →Factory deliveryPackard Motor Car Company traveling show fleetpartial documentation
Vehicle formed part of a touring exhibition group of special display cars traveling between Detroit and New York, including a stop at the Pittsburgh Auto Show.
- 1934 →Private saleRicardo LaCosta IIpartial documentation
Prominent Puerto Rican attorney and later judge who acquired the car in New York at the conclusion of the touring exhibition; documented in a period photograph published in several books.
- → 1968-08-27Acquisition unknownPatrick G. Youngpartial documentation
Airman from New Hampshire believed to have brought the car back to the United States from Puerto Rico in the early 1960s; sold it to the next owner on a documented date.
- 1968-08-27 →Private salePaul Baughmanfull documentation
Akron, Ohio resident whose acquisition is confirmed by a copy of the original title; he contacted historian Ed Blend after purchasing the car, and images of it in as-found condition were published in Blend's 1971 book.
- → 1996Acquisition unknownJohn Wheatleypartial documentation
Respected restorer from Tulsa, Oklahoma who held the car for close to three decades and initiated restoration work.
- 1996 → 2012Private saleDale Adamspartial documentation
Noted craftsman who continued the restoration begun by the previous owner before selling the car onward.
- 2012 →Private saleJoseph and Margie Cassinifull documentation
New Jersey Superior Court judge and spouse who commissioned RM Auto Restoration to complete a full concours-quality restoration and subsequently campaigned the car at major North American concours events.
- Date unknownInheritanceLaCosta family estatepartial documentation
Family had no interest in retaining the vehicle after Ricardo LaCosta II died; the car was sold and subsequently used as a taxi and later abandoned at a military base in Puerto Rico.
Competition
- 20132013 Pebble Beach Concours d'EleganceBest of Show; 1st in Class
Car made its post-restoration debut here, first taking class honors before being selected as the overall Best of Show winner.
- 20162016 Concours d'Elegance of America at St. John'sBest of Show; Best in Class
- 20162016 Amelia Island Concours d'EleganceBest in Class
Maintenance & restoration
- 2012RestorationRM Auto Restoration
Full restoration completed by RM Auto Restoration, encompassing bare-metal bodywork finished in charcoal, a period-correct Dietrich-style leather interior, and meticulous attention to all trim details including the rear-mounted spares and unique rear bumperettes. Over 14,000 hours of labour were expended, and original components including the chassis, engine, firewall tag, dashboard radio, and chromed radiator shell were retained.
Commissioned by Joseph and Margie Cassini; completed in time for the car's debut at Pebble Beach in 2013. Photographic and documentary records of the restoration process are included with the car.
- —Restoration
Restoration work commenced during John Wheatley's ownership and continued by Dale Adams over a period spanning from Wheatley's tenure through to 2012.
Work began under Wheatley and was carried forward by Adams; the car was sold before completion.
Are you the owner of this car?
This car's public record is built from its auction and competition history. Register your ownership and privately add your own records to make it a verified Legacy Metrics passport — provenance that backs your car's value at sale and gives your insurer evidence to price against. Roy reviews and verifies every registration personally.