1932 Packard Dietrich Individual Custom Convertible Victoria, Twelve
- Engine
- 7.3L L-head V12, 160 bhp
A 1932 Packard Ninth Series Deluxe Eight Dietrich Individual Custom Convertible Victoria, one of only four known survivors of its body style. Delivered new through the Park Avenue Packard dealership in New York City, the car passed through a distinguished succession of notable collectors including twice through Otis Chandler's hands. A comprehensive 22-month concours restoration was completed in 2016–2017, after which the car earned Best of Show at the Morgan Adams Concours d'Elegance and 2nd in Class at Pebble Beach in 2018. It retains its original chassis, engine, and coachwork.
Ownership
- —Auction saleEstimate US$1,300,000 – US$1,500,000
- —Auction saleSold US$1,215,000
- —Auction saleSold US$1,056,000
- 1932-04-13 →Factory deliveryInitial East Coast ownerspartial documentation
Vehicle was delivered via the Park Avenue Packard dealership in New York City and apparently stayed on the East Coast through its earliest years of ownership.
- 1950 → 1968Acquisition unknownRussell Lewispartial documentation
Washington, New Jersey resident and passionate Packard devotee who regarded this car as his personal favorite; kept it in substantially original condition and was among the founding members of the Classic Car Club of America, listing this vehicle in its early rosters.
- 1968 → 1970Private saleRichard Cantwellpartial documentation
Fellow New Jersey collector and longtime admirer of the car who had known Lewis.
- 1970 → 1975Private saleGraham Rowleypartial documentation
Goffstown, New Hampshire owner who purchased from Cantwell and subsequently sold to an Illinois collector.
- 1975 →Private saleJames Tharppartial documentation
Palos Park, Illinois owner who later transferred the car to a well-known collector specializing in Dietrich-bodied Packards.
- → 1986Private saleJohn Mozartpartial documentation
Prominent collector with a particular focus on Dietrich vee-windshield Packards; held the car for several years before selling.
- 1986 →Private saleOtis Chandlerpartial documentation
Notable Full Classic collector who initiated a restoration but was persuaded to part with the car shortly thereafter.
- → 1998Private saleImperial Palace Collectionpartial documentation
Las Vegas casino-based automobile collection where the restoration was completed; curator Richie Clyne oversaw a final road test at Las Vegas Motor Speedway before accepting delivery.
- 1998 → 2006AuctionOtis Chandlerpartial documentation
Chandler repurchased the car at the dispersal of the Imperial Palace collection, viewing it as the prize that had eluded him; it became a centrepiece of his renewed Full Classic holdings at the Vintage Museum of Transportation and Wildlife in Oxnard, California.
- 2006 →InheritanceFranklin Otis Booth Jr.partial documentation
Cousin of Otis Chandler and prominent Los Angeles businessman and philanthropist who received the car from the Chandler Estate and kept it for the remainder of his life.
- → 2022Acquisition unknownProminent collector in the American Westpartial documentation
Commissioned an extensive 22-month concours-level restoration carried out in a private workshop between 2016 and 2017, after which the car earned significant show honours.
- 2022 →Acquisition unknownCurrent ownerspartial documentation
Acquired the car for a varied but carefully assembled collection; shortly before purchase a new soft top and cover were fitted by RM Auto Restoration in Blenheim, Ontario, and the car has since been kept on display.
- Date unknownPrivate saleCharles Wallacepartial documentation
Massachusetts owner who acquired the Packard mid-restoration from Chandler and subsequently transferred it to a Las Vegas casino collection.
Competition
- 2016Morgan Adams Concours d'EleganceBest of Show
Award followed the completion of a lengthy concours restoration carried out in the owner's personal facility.
- 2018Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance2nd in class
Achieved against notably strong competition in its class.
Maintenance & restoration
- 2016RestorationOwner's personal shop
Comprehensive 22-month concours-grade restoration conducted in the current owner's private facility, resulting in Best of Show and Pebble Beach class honours.
Duration spanned 2016 to 2017; the car retains its original chassis, engine, and coachwork as first delivered.
- 2022BodyworkRM Auto Restoration
New convertible top and boot cover fitted by specialist craftsmen prior to the current owners' acquisition.
Workshop is located in Blenheim, Ontario.
- —Restoration
Restoration begun by or under the direction of Otis Chandler following his 1986 purchase, but left incomplete when he sold the car to Charles Wallace.
Work was subsequently finished by the Imperial Palace after Wallace passed the car to them.
- —Restoration
Completion of the restoration carried out while the car was in Imperial Palace ownership; curator Richie Clyne verified the finished quality via a high-speed test at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
The restorer's identity is not named in the catalogue prose.
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.