Beschreibung:

1929 PACKARD 645 DUAL COWL PHAETON COACHWORK BY DIETRICH Chassis No. 169957 Engine No. 170031 Black with red striping and red leather interior Engine: straight eight, 384.8ci., 120bhp at 3,200rpm; Gearbox: three speed manual; Suspension: semi-elliptic leaf springs front and rear; Brakes: four wheel drum. Left hand drive. The eight cylinder engine that Packard had revealed in 1923 as a successor to the V12 provided the backbone of Packard's future production until the end of the 1930's. The design was a simple side valve (L-head) of the highest quality with a light alloy crankcase with the crankshaft running in nine main bearings. It gave smooth and effortless performance. The new engine provided the model name for Packard's most prestigious model of this era, the Eight. The eight cylinder was designated the 645 for 1929 and was offered in 21 body styles. This car carries the very desirable and attractive Dual Cowl Phaeton coachwork designed by Dietrich. The name of Dietrich is always closely associated with the finest coachbuilt Packards of the late 1920s and early 30s. 1929 marked the first application of the Packard family coat-of-arms as a radiator emblem. The temperature gauge was removed from the radiator filler cap to a more easily read dash-mounted position and an automatic cylinder oiler avoided engine wear caused by dry starts. This Dietrich Dual Cowl was ordered new in 1928 by President Chacon of Guatemala. Little is known about the car's history in South America other than it acquired the stable name 'Bombero' and there is now a bullet hole in the base of the windshield frame from a bullet aimed at the president while he was driving. A photograph of this car taken in front of the presidential palace was published in the Antique Automobile Magazine, May-June 1975 issue. It is believed that this Packard was acquired by a collector in Wisconsin in the early 1960s. In the early 1980s it passed into the hands of a retired surgeon who spent ten years having the car meticulously restored with no expense spared. The Packard was totally dismantled and various specialists were employed to prepare the car for concours work. In early 1991 the current owner purchased the car, and in July he showed it in the Primary Division (never shown before) of the Classic Car Club of America Grand Classic (National Meet) where it won First Place. This result was favorably commented upon in The Classic Car magazine, vol. XXXIX, no.2, September 1991, page 26: Of the sixty-two cars on hand, most were presented for judging. Just eleven were for display only; the fifty-one judged represented the largest number for any of the eight Grand Classics. My personal favorites included a black and red trimmed 1929 Packard Phaeton... This Packard is still in very fine condition and would probably judge in the high 90s today. The current mileage is showing just 234 since restoration. Deluxe items and extras include stone guard, Pilot Rays, Fish Tail bumpers, Packard trunk with three pieces of luggage, side mounted mirrors, side curtains and a top boot. The rear opera lights work and there are keys for the glove compartments and trunk. Last year the engine was tuned by Kent Baines of Automotive Restorations. There are photographs of the earlier restoration work and the car comes complete with an original owner's and workshop manual. This stunning custom built 645 Phaeton is recognized as a full classic and is eligible for all classic car touring and showing events and caravans.