Vehicle Description
Packard Vehicle No. 53742
Chassis No. 194311
Engine No. 194283
As one of the finest years from the peak-era of the Packard brand,
the Steinman Collection's 1932 Eight Deluxe Victoria is a true
piece of automotive history. While Packard built fewer than 40
Eight Deluxe Victorias in 1932, far fewer are known to survive. At
over 19 � feet long, it displays sheer elegance in steel, canvas,
and leather, with a Dietrich design offering exceptional rarity.
The car was originally sold by Packard of New York in October 1931,
and was signed by the five Packard employees who assembled. Their
signatures remain on the inside of the firewall. The Victoria has
been featured in numerous books about the history of Packard, and
for decades, has been synonymous with David Steinman and the
quality of his restorations. Affectionately known in the Steinman
family simply as "The 32", it has been the crown jewel of the
Steinman Collection for nearly seventy years.
First discovered on his way to a local Philadelphia dive bar in
1956, Steinman, with a fake ID in hand, would first spot "The 32"
at a repair shop on the corner of Haines and Magnolia. Although the
Packard had seen better days, the young automotive enthusiast saw
past the torn top and faded chrome and recognized its potential.
Returning home to tell his father about a "Packard like none I've
ever seen", his conservative father knew his son had a keen eye for
automobiles and agreed to go take a look. After a quick glance,
David's father pronounced that he should return tomorrow and bring
the Packard home. Returning bright and early the next morning with
$500 in his pocket, the repair shop owner explained that he was
performing exhaust work and while the owner might sell it, it would
be expensive - not a penny less than $325. Worried that if he
pulled out all of his money, the price would go up, Steinman
reached in, and miraculously pulled out exactly $325! It was clear
that he and "The 32" were meant to be together.
Awaiting restoration, "The 32" sat under a tent in his parents back
yard for several years. In 1962 Steinman received an offer of
$1,200 to purchase it as it sat, but his new bride soon caught wind
and dashed to the scene to halt the transaction - for which he
would spend the next several decades thanking her. A full frame-off
restoration was completed by 1967 and now sporting a sleek black
exterior "The 32" began its life anew as a show car. As proudly
described by his estate, the only prize short of a first place
trophy was at his first CCCA event in 1967 where despite being
flawless, the judging team couldn't stomach the idea of giving 100
points to the self-confident 30 year old. To smooth Steinman's
feathers, his friend, mentor, and famed Packard enthusiast Bob
Turnquist told him that it was a friendly bit of hazing and from
then on, the car would be judged solely on merits. Soon, CCCA and
AACA trophies piled up, with Steinman rightfully earning a spot on
the CCCA board.
Upon moving to Vermont in 1978, Steinman brought "The 32" to the
famed Stowe Car Show several years in a row and won Best of Show
each time. The show's organizers quietly pleaded with Steinman to
leave the Packard at home so someone else could have a chance. The
consummate gentleman, Steinman obliged, only to claim the same
prize with other cars from his collection! Acquired when he was
just 19 years old, this Packard has been affectionately referred to
by David's sons as their 'older sibling' and it has been
exceptionally well-cared for, including a thorough refresh in the
1990s. With excellent provenance, this stunning Packard Victoria is
not only an exceptionally rare example but also a well proven show
vehicle that proudly wears its half-century-old restoration.
