Vehicle Description
Vehicle No. 758-43
Chassis No. 752872
Engine No. 752901
Packard's Eleventh Series, as the 1934 models were officially
known, ranks among the finest efforts of a company that, in 58
years, never built an automobile that was less than excellent.
Enthusiasts consider the Eleventh Series to have been the peak of
traditional Packard styling, with the upright, slightly vee'd
radiator shell and deeply skirted fenders that nonetheless retained
a bit of the formal dignity of years past. Bodies were handsomely
designed and solidly constructed in the very best Packard
tradition; there was no such thing as an unattractive 1934 Packard,
though certain styles excelled in beauty more than others.
One such standout was what was commonly known as the 2/4-Passenger
Coupe, or, in the factory's official and somewhat wordier
description, the Coupe for Two or Four Passengers. This design was
especially attractive when mounted on the larger Senior chassis,
such as the 1104 Super Eight, which measured 142 inches from axle
to axle and was equipped with a 145 horsepower straight eight and
the modern features of Bijur automatic lubrication and Ride Control
suspension. On this long frame, the coupe was a truly impressive
automobile with magnificent visual proportions. Yet, with the Super
Eight engine, it was also reasonably well-balanced and quite a
pleasure to drive, with good highway power. Super Eights of the
Eleventh Series are wonderful road automobiles, especially with
weathertight coachwork such as that offered by the svelte
coupe.
The coupe offered here was, according to its original firewall
vehicle number plate, sold new by the Thompson Motor Company of
Beverly Hills, California, on 17 November 1933. The vehicle number
758-43, indicates it would have been the 33rd example built. It is
believed to be the only known surviving example produced as, one
might say, a Coupe for Strictly Two Passengers, constructed without
a rumble seat, and instead with a full trunk. This would have had
to have been a special-order feature either from the factory or a
dealer, as the profile of the rear deck lid does not allow it
simply to be reversed as on many other automobiles of the era. It
does retain the standard model's crank-down rear window, providing
flow-through ventilation, as well as the golf bag door in the side
of the body.
To whom the Packard was first sold in last 1933 is not known,
although it was likely a fascinating personage, given Thompson
Motor Company's status as the seller of Packards to the stars. The
longstanding legend that has passed with the car claims that the
first owner was none other than famed actor Clark Gable, "The King
of Hollywood," although no documentary evidence exists to affirm
this. In 1954 the car was registered to Malcolm Waring of Beverly
Hills, as proven by an original California registration card
remaining in the history file. Mr. Waring was reportedly a popular
and very active radio announcer of the era.
In 1958 Mr. Waring sold the Packard to George D. "Don" Letson, who
worked for an oil company out of Los Angeles but resided in
Portland, Oregon. The prized coupe remained with Mr. Letson, an
avid enthusiast and skilled Packard mechanic, for the rest of his
life, and was so highly prized that he restored it twice - the
first time in the early 1960s, to the standards of the time, then
again to a more professional standard in 1996. Following the
completion of the latter it was judged First in Class at that
year's Forest Grove Concours d'Elegance, and also driven by him on
national tours, proving its mechanical capabilities. It became
well-known enough that it was actually the basis of a Minimarque 43
white metal model, which can still be found occasionally with toy
collectors and is instantly recognizable by its color scheme.
The coupe was still in Mr. Letson's ownership at the time of his
passing in 2011, and was thereafter acquired privately for the
Academy of Art University Automobile Collection, where it has been
exhibited since alongside other important Packard automobiles.
The restoration, in rich Packard Maroon with red wire wheels, has
aged lightly, with minor cracking visible around the rear of the
body and some small chips visible around the rear deck lid; yet it
also appears to have been very nicely done, with the car retaining
the original fabric-bound springs still visible under the black
leather seat cushions, and the original cloth backing under the
rear package shelf. Inspection shows "758" written in factory
grease pencil under one of the seat frames. The engine is cooled by
a modern radiator core, likely installed for durability on the
tours that Mr. Letson much-enjoyed. It is equipped with dual
sidemounted spares with hard covers and mirrors, a single driving
light, dual horns, and the classic Cormorant radiator mascot, as
well as chromed hood side doors which were an authentic option but
are rarely seen today.
At the time of cataloging, the car had recorded 69,775 miles.
Accompanying is an owner's manual and small history file including
the historic Waring and Letson registrations. With 1934 largely
considered the most desirable year for Packard due to its styling,
the Super Eight is revered for its power and nimble handling on the
road and has been a favorite for touring enthusiasts. This car
would be an excellent CARavan automobile, having, as it does,
considerable room for luggage and other accoutrements within the
large built-in trunk. It boasts superb West Coast history and
deserves to remain here, enjoyed and shared with other enthusiasts
in the rich tradition of the late Don Letson.
