Packard: Building a masterpiece part 2 – 1940

Packard 1940 . “Building A Masterpiece

Packard: Building a masterpiece part 1 – 1940

Packard 1940 . “Building A Masterpiece

Vintage Rolls-Royces and Packards feature at auction

Worldwide Auctioneers has added a fine array of Rolls- Royce and Packards from the collection of acclaimed specialist, Robert B. Merrifield, to the exciting line up of cars to its second annual, ‘The Auburn Auction’ which will take place at Worldwide Auctioneers corporate Headquarters in Auburn, Indiana on Saturday September 5th.

Once a feature of the well-respected Barney Pollard Collection is, a highly original 1921 Rolls Royce Springfield Silver Ghost 40/50hp Oxford 7- Passenger Tourer, bodied by Rolls- Royce Custom Coachworks of New Haven, Connecticut, with only 24,000 miles from new. Accompanying it is an extremely rare 1928 Rolls-Royce Springfield Phantom I Pall Mall Tourer, one of just 33 Pall Mall bodied examples built and sold by Rolls -Royce of America, with coachwork by the Merrimac Body Company of Massachusetts.

Enthusiasts will also get the chance to acquire a multiple award winning 1939 Rolls- Royce Wraith 25/30 All-Weather Tourer with coachwork by Thrupp & Maberly and an exceptional 1928 Rolls-Royce Springfield Phantom I Landaulet, fitted with a Brewster Landaulet “St. Stephen” body. An immaculate 1931 Packard Deluxe 8 Model 840 Sport Phaeton 7-Passenger Touring, regal 1937 Packard Twelve 1508 Convertible Sedan and tour ready 1937 Roll-Royce 25/30 Saloon, both of the latter again featuring body work by London coachbuilder Thrupp & Maberley, complete the selection.

Rare classics for auction at Pebble Beach

Two exceptionally rare and desirable cars are to be auctioned off at the annual Pebble Beach Auction on August 15th and 16th. Auctioneers, Gooding and Company are delighted to announce the consignment of the 1935 Duesenberg Model SJ Roadster, owned by Prince Serge M’Divani, and the 1927 Packard 343 Convertible Sedan from the estate of Racing Legend Phil Hill.

For those of you who feel you have sufficiently deep pockets can either participate or witness the action via live webcast on www.goodingco.com.

Other highlights include two California Spiders and the Michael Schudroff collection of important post-war cars, the majority of which will be sold at no reserve.

Great Gatsby Rolls-Royce sold at Bonhams auction

Clark Gable’s Packard Darrin, the Rolls-Royce driven by Robert Redford in The Great Gatsby, President Woodrow Wilson’s Silver Ghost, and racing legend Fitch Whitmore’s Le Mans Special were hot lots at the annual Bonhams auction, held at the Greenwich Concours d’Elegance last week.

Bonhams great white tent bulged with crowds of collectors, movie buffs and the curious wanting a glimpse at the cars with notable movie connections, which went on the block at noon on Sunday.  The sale featured the famed Ted Leonard collection, who prized himself of acquiring exceptionally fine motorcars with celebrity pedigree. ¨ ¨The telephone banks, manned by a half dozen Bonhams specialists, were a buzz fielding bids coming in from all over the world including Japan, with one lot fetching over $130,000 USD from a private collector, Austria, Holland, the U.K. and US collectors from the west coast, mid west, Pacific northwest, and deep south.

The ex-Clark Gable 1938 Packard Eight Convertible Victoria sold for $282,000 USD to a private U.S. collector who beat out four bidders in the crowd.

The 1928 Rolls-Royce 40/50hp Phantom I Ascot Dual Cowl Sports Phaeton, from the 1974 motion picture The Great Gatsby drew huge crowds during the auction preview days, and sold amidst applause to a telephone bidder, against several in the room — at $238,000 USD.

Ex American President Woodrow Wilson’s 1923 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Oxford Touring Car, given to the president after he left office by supporters, went to a bidder in the room for $161,000 USD.

“Collectors recognize that it is rare to see cars of this caliber, and history assembled in one sale, and the bidding action certainly demonstrated keen interest from around the world,” Rupert  Banner, of Bonhams Manhattan Motorcars department said after the sale.  “The sale also demonstrates that in this market, cautious pricing provides the best results.”

The top lot of the sale was a stunning 1934 Bugatti Type 57 Stelvio Drophead Coupe, which sold for $419,500 USD. The crowd literally held their breath as intense bidding for this lot from collectors assembled under the tent and those on the telephone ended with the car going back to Europe.

The highlight of the event though, was when racing legend John Fitch, aged 92, took the podium to give background information on his 1952 Fitch-Whitmore Le Mans Special, which lead a “charmed life” he said, to a standing ovation from the crowd.  The car fetched $403,000 USD. ¨¨”It was amazing to have this living legend join us at the event, and the crowd was thrilled to see him hop into his Le Mans Special — illustrating the spirit and sprite of someone far younger than his 92 years!”  Mark Osborne, Bonhams west coast motorcar specialist said.

“A one-of-a-kind event certainly, and we are proud to add the excitement of the auction to the enjoyment of the famed Greenwich Concours d’Elegance.¨¨Rarities were also highly desirable at the event, including a 1963 Porsche 356 Carrera 2 Convertible, one of only 28 built, which fetched $381,000 USD from a bidder under the tent.

Concours condition offerings were also highly desirable with the bidders; a 1953 Jaguar XK120 Roadster, refinished to a very high standard in its original colors of pastel green with a suede green interior sold for $106,470.

The sale totaled nearly $5M, with number of entries and sale total comprising the largest auction event ever at the Greenwich venue. ¨¨The automobilia section of the sale, which started at 10:30 on Sunday, saw  ‘Plates’ by Scott Hanson, circa 1998, a map of mainland America made from the license plates of each state sell for $3,965 USD, and bidders eagerly bought up automobile related posters, artwork, models and parts.

The History of Packard: The Definitive Story – 200

When James Packard — the son of a hardware mogul — purchased the 13th ever Winton car produced, he expressed dismay at the vehicle’s inherent unreliability. On his trip home from the Winton factory, the car broke down several times and completed the journey being pulled by horses. When Packard complained to Winton about the car he was told that if he could build a better car then perhaps he should put his money where his mouth was. Packard did exactly that, and founded a company that would go on to earn the title of ‘the American Rolls-Royce.’

The story of this famous marque is brought to life through modern and historic film footage, backed with an informative narration. There won’t be much fresh information here for real Packard enthusiasts, but this DVD does offer a good starting place for those interested in the history behind this iconic marque.

The History of Packard: The Definitive Story
Region 0, Running Time: 125 mins
DVD supplied by Techbooks
Review by James Black