1930 Packard 745 Deluxe Eight Convertible Victoria (Dietrich body)
A 1930 Packard 745 Deluxe Eight Convertible Victoria bodied by Raymond Dietrich, believed to be the sole surviving example of this coachwork variant, delivered in Portland, Maine to a prominent local banker. After decades in storage following its first owner's death, it was discovered and restored in the 1960s, with Dietrich himself authenticating it. The car subsequently achieved Premier status in CCCA competition and placed Second in Class at Pebble Beach in 1998, before entering the Petersen Automotive Museum collection around 2005.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$236,500
- 1930-05-12 → 1949Factory deliveryPhilip F. Chapmanfull documentation
Prominent Portland banker and civic figure who took delivery from the Boston Packard branch. He routinely drove the car to Florida each winter; it was left at a Daytona Beach marina at the time of his death.
- 1949 → 1958InheritanceChapman estatepartial documentation
Following the first owner's death the car sat largely unattended at a Florida marina until the estate was settled and the vehicle was placed in storage.
- → 2005Private saleJ. Peter Ministrellipartial documentation
Noted collector from Troy, Michigan, in whose ownership the car won its class at the 2004 Meadowbrook Concours. Sold it to the Petersen Automotive Museum the following year.
- 2005 →Private salePetersen Automotive Museumpartial documentation
Major Los Angeles automotive museum that acquired the car and kept it as a long-term collection piece, frequently displaying it in the facility's celebrated Vault gallery.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownHubbard Clapperpartial documentation
CCCA member based in Orlando who discovered the car in storage in the mid-1960s; it was in degraded but largely complete condition. He commissioned a thorough restoration and had the body authenticated in writing by Raymond Dietrich. The Clappers showed the car for several years and it was featured on a 1974 magazine cover.
- Date unknownPrivate saleLester Bowenpartial documentation
Marco Island owner who had the car freshly restored by craftsman Steve Cooley in colors drawn from period Packard advertising. He showed the car extensively, attaining Premier status in CCCA judging and a class placement at Pebble Beach.
Competition
- 19981998 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance2nd in class
Entered while owned by Lester Bowen following the Steve Cooley restoration.
- 20042004 Meadowbrook Concours d'Elegance1st in class
Class victory achieved during J. Peter Ministrelli's ownership.
- —Classic Car Club of AmericaCCCA Premier judgingPremier status achieved
Car shown at multiple CCCA-sanctioned events under Lester Bowen's ownership, earning the organisation's highest rating.
Maintenance & restoration
- —Restoration
Thorough restoration carried out by Hubbard Clapper after acquiring the car from storage in the mid-1960s. The work was later authenticated in writing by designer Raymond Dietrich himself.
Restoration prompted coverage in the Winter 1974 issue of the Packard International Motor Car Club magazine.
- —RestorationSteve Cooley
Full fresh restoration executed by craftsman Steve Cooley for owner Lester Bowen, finished in a vivid colour scheme inspired by period Packard promotional imagery.
This restoration formed the basis for the car's successful concours campaign including Pebble Beach 1998.
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