packard12man

Dietrich enthusiasts - Below is a link for a Dietrich for sale on "Bring a Trailer". Superb photography, video and terrific read on the restoration. Restoration costs are mind boggling and these bills are from 2010. Prices have probably doubled since then. Any opinions on the car and the final selling price?? https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1934-packard-1108-twelve-dietrich-individual-custom-convertible-sedan/

Stumbled upon a podcast with Rob Myers (from RM) hosted by someone by the name of Jason Stein. The subject was the growth of RM and his career in the antique car hobby. Part way through, Rob mentioned that he has acquired the subject Packard that he has been chasing for over 30 years. I spent some time looking back through this thread and it is amazing how a narrow minded subject as this can garner so much interest. Enjoyed the reread. Needless to say, like everyone else, I would like to know more info. Looking forward to seeing the restoration completed. I'm sure RM will do a marvellous job.

Matt, thank you for letting us ride along with the comings and goings of the big boy toys that you have your hands on. The car looks great with the black walls. Enjoy the show in Miami. I'm sure it will be a very good show as RM does everything first class. Any more photos of your travels and the show would be greatly appreciated. Brian

Terrible news to hear of the passing of a TRUE car guy. My wife and I attended Pebble when Joe won best of show in 2013. Got introduced to Joe at the show by one of the fellows from RM. I had quite a passion for the car which Joe seemed to recognize. I remember saying to him "This is the holy grail of Packards" I think he got a kick out of that. After the show concluded the guys from RM told Joe I was the biggest fan of the car and asked Joe if it would be okay to take me for a ride. Next think you know, due to Joes kindness, here we are driving down 17 mile drive, top down, in the Best of Show Packard. Went from commoner too king for a day. I think Joe and his family showed suburb classics at more concours that any other collectors over the years. Thanks Joe for the ride - RIP Photo from the New Jersey Monthly.

Matt, I think I acquired the B&W photo off of Flickr. Don't remember the date or place. I don't have a whole lot of info on '33's, wish I was of more help. Being as Pebble is featuring Packards this year, I can only assume you will be showing a car??? I am hoping to attend and will try and look you up. The above 2 photos came from the Book "The Classic Car" by Kimes The below 4 page article came from Car Collector 1995

West, thanks for the reply on the Maybelline Dietrich. I enjoy researching the history on the individual Dietrich's. Between the Chicago connection and the Gooding Article (referring to a sports sedan), I thought I may have been onto something. Needless to say - the Maybelline saga continues. My condolences in the loss of your friend John Bohmer.

I just read the catalogue description from Gooding regarding the Green Dietrich Conv. Sedan - putting stock in an auction catalogue description to say the least is going out on a limb but Mr Bohmer makes mention of a 34 Sport Sedan parts car in Chicago. The odds have to be pretty good that the parts car is the remains of the missing Maybelline car. To bad Mr Bohmer is not with us any longer to ask the question!

Looking forward to the upcoming Pebble Beach auctions. Any expert guesses on the selling prices of the three Dietrich's? My 2 cents worth - Mecum's Brown Conv Sedan 800K, Gooding Green Conv Sedan 600K and the RM 33 Victoria 2.6M

Matt, congratulations on working on a big boy toy. I am sending along a few photos you might enjoy. If you are a member of the CCCA, and you go on their website, and search for Bayard Badenhausen in the bulletins, there is an interesting tale of the blue sport phaeton owned before Briggs Cunningham ownership.

In regards to the upcoming Dietrich book, it is being published by Dalton Watson Fine Books. Unsure of the original date as I have seen reference to 1961 and 1981. Possibly the book was written and never published!! If it was 1961 both the text and photos should prove interesting as Dietrich and many of his contemporaries were still alive with 1st hand knowledge of the era. Below is the link to the website where I became aware of the book. https://www.daltonwatson.com/Raymond-Henri-Dietrich-Automotive-Architect-p/dietrich.htm In relation to the Smith Auction regarding the '34 Town Car, you are right Packard marketed it as an All Weather Cabriolet. When I mentioned that it was low on the totem pole of collectability I was comparing it to the other individual customs not the factory sedans. Does anybody have any guesses as to the hammer price?

Eagerly awaiting this new book on the life and times of Ray Dietrich.

Looking for some of the experts to comment on the 34 Packard Town Car in the upcoming Mark Smith Auction. I realize Town Cars are about as low as you can go on the collectability scale - BUT the more I look at the photos the more I like it. Auction estimate is 40-60K which in my opinion it is worth more than that in parts. The cost of restoration would probably be double or triple the selling price of the finished product. Ed Blend states that in his opinion only one was produced. Going through my files I thought I had come across a 2nd car - my thought being the chrome rad shell and European headlights. Then I spotted a rotary club decal on the windshield so obviously it's the same car. Gooding's site gives very little info as to the history but apparently it spent some of its life in France and then Mexico. If I was 20 years younger and not a tractor mechanic Id buy it myself just to save it from becoming a parts car! Ed Blend also stated that it is a Dietrich design built in the Packard custom body shop and marketed and labeled as a LeBaron. "I'm confused" After discussion with the wife, she's says I can't buy it - so it's up to someone else to save it.

Question for the Dietrich experts. Curious to know the amount of aluminum used by Dietrich - I'm pretty sure the doors are skinned in aluminum, but I wondering was the cowl, gas tank apron, rumble seat lid and parts of the body shell also aluminum? And is there a difference between the open cars vs the closed cars in materials used?

Time to broaden my horizons as I am running low on Dietrich material. As per the comments about the Holy Grail, you would assume this is on every Packard enthusiast top 5 list. Photos obtained off of the internet over the years.

A couple of Deluxe 8 Conv. Victoria's that I saved off of the internet years ago. Anyone know the whereabouts of these two cars today or where these photos were taken? Of note - the 2nd car - headlights, door handles and rad mascot - looks like a possible European delivery!