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'32 904 Victoria convertible

Poopinagroup

By Poopinagroup
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Poopinagroup

Poopinagroup

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Hello,

My father purchased a 1932 Packard this summer, and I wanted to drop by the forum to read up on these automobiles. My dad drives it to work when the weather permits, and she drives like a dream. The car was purchased in Chicago and trailered to Summerfield FL. If my dad had time, Im sure he would have preferred to drive it to FL-- she is definitely no trailer queen. Other than a few hiccups with the carburetor and fuel pump, she purrs like a kitten, and turns heads like no other vehicle I've ever seen. Anyways, I will be checking here from time to time, and appreciate your tremendous knowledge of these beautiful machines.

Scott

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Poopinagroup

Poopinagroup

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Thanks for your help! I forgot to mention that this is "V" windshield custom Dietrich. I'm sure you guys would have picked that out regardless! Based on my admittedly limited research, there were only 4 built. Where can I find information about the others? I would love to help my dad piece together additional facts about the cars and Packards in general.

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tbirdman 5,000+ Points

tbirdman

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You need to hang out in this forum and start reading up on Packard. I have a 32 Coupe Roadster 903. I learned a lot by hanging out here. Also I read a lot. Have you joined the local Packard club?

Start reading all you can. Here's a good to start with Packard: A History of the Motor Car and the Company and it can be purchased at Amazon reasonably.

Your father has a very nice Packard and it's a Dietrich to boot.

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Tom M 10,000+ Points

Tom M

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<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">she is definitely no trailer queen</div></div> Holy Cow you can eat off that engine. Sweet ride your father bought there.

How far is Summerfield from Sarasota, Fl? The Packard Club there usually has a fall meet in November. I went to it few years back while visiting my step-father. You should have your father check it out. Nice group of guys.

Here is Florida Packard Club website

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Packard enthus. 1,000+ Points

Packard enthus.

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What great photography - what a magnificent car !

We need to get the REAL "experts" in here to tell us more about the story behind this car. Actually, this could be a real historical "find", as I see the makings of several interesting history stories.

First of all, it is obviously a Super Eight, but what year ? Look at the radiator shell. Painted to LOOK like a "Twin Six" / V-12, but, is it a '32 radiator shell, or is it the "exchange" one to make '30 Packards look like mid-year proiduction 1931's...? Racking my brain to remember when the 8 cylinder Packards went do DOWNdraft carbueration...anyone remember ?

Am NOT surprised by the "big" bumpers. A number of "Deluxe Eights" (translation - the 384 cu in Super Eight) came out of East Grand Blvd. with those monster "vibration damper" bumpers that later were exclusively for the Twelves unless "special ordered". A photo of the dash might tell our "experts" a bit more.

I am NOT an expert, but my HUNCH is this car may well be a real historical "find"...meaning, one of the first, if not the first pre-production Dietreichs made for an auto show.

(either that, or some restorer had a hell of a time pulling a fast one on all of us...!)

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TG57Roadmaster 25,000+ Points

TG57Roadmaster

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And the third...this one with the unique Woodlite headlamps, which focused a narrow, (purportedly) brighter beam down the roadway. Note that the front fender lights have mini-Woodlites, a common feature for these uncommon lights.

2875532_Packard_904_Dietrich_3-med.jpg

TG

Newly attached is a Waterhouse Convertible Victoria, from Asheville, '93, with Woodlites.

post-43799-143137927923_thumb.jpg

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TG57Roadmaster 25,000+ Points

TG57Roadmaster

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Scott,

Occasionally you see a motorcar that stops you dead in your tracks, and the '32 Model 904 Dietrich is one of them. I photographed this one in Asheville, NC at the 1993 Packard National Meet. This may sound silly, but it's the kind of car that I approach, speaking in hushed tones, as if admiring one of the Great Master's artworks.

2875532_Packard_904_at_Asheville_Front-med.jpg

No doubt the Packard Club crowd knows where this car is today and its current owner.

TG

post-43799-143137927933_thumb.jpg

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Poopinagroup

Poopinagroup

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Thanks for the replies. I will point him in the direction of the Florida club, as I'm sure he wont mind making the trek a few hours to meet some other Packard owners. I will continue to look into the comments about the various "Frankenpieces" of the car as well. It is interesting to me that no two cars are identical. You folks really are a wealth of knowledge, and I look forward to browsing your site. Even better, I'll have my dad swing by here as well, but he is not a computer person so I may be the closest thing to him actually signing in. ;-)

The best part about this car is how much he LOVES driving it. He worked his butt off his entire career, and is just now starting to take a moment to breathe a little. This car is his pride and joy! He lives near the Villages -- a huge active retirement community in central Florida, and they have a very well established group of auto enthusiasts. Living near the community (with relatively slow speed limits, and folks who aren't in a rush to get where they are going) allows him to drive the car regularly and enjoy it for what it was intended. I should also point out that he built a custom garage for it, complete with A/C so she can rest easy when not in use.

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Tom M 10,000+ Points

Tom M

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<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">allows him to drive the car regularly and enjoy it for what it was intended</div></div> Yes your father is right these old irons are meant to be driven to show off the beauty of them. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> You don?t see that in today?s Iron or is that plastic. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

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Guest bkazmer

Guest bkazmer

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Frankenpieces is a little harsh - I believe Packard had a supply of bodies in white that were used over several years, so the "production" pieces like the front clip varied. The clubs have track of these very distinctive cars - it should be easy to locate "friends"

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Packard enthus. 1,000+ Points

Packard enthus.

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what magnificent photos ! I have no idea how many of that splendid body design wound up on Super Eight chassis, and how many on Twelves. I note that the photos of the cars when they were new, make it appear that the Deluxe Eights ( again...the Super Eights ) had PLATED radiator shells and PAINTED shutters - sort of a "snob" thing by Packard so that the Twelve owners could show they had the bigger, much faster and more powerful engine).

Obviously, restorers today have to do what the original buyers wanted the factory and dealer to do...MAKE IT THE WAY THE CUSTOMER WANTS ! Thus I am not surprised to see many restorers taking advantage of what I NEVER saw on the street, but AM aware was in the "options" sheets - PAINTED radiator shell like on the Twelves and PLATED shutters.

But I am still not clear about the splendid car the first "poster" showed us. Is that magnificent car one of the FIRST, based on a '31 car ? Cant be CERTAIN from the photograph if I am looking at a mid-production '31 Deluxe Eight radiator shell..or a '32.

? ? ? ?

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Restorer32 25,000+ Points

Restorer32

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All '32 thru '34 Packard Conv Coupes used the same bodies and conv top assemblies with the exception of the '32 900 and the '33 1001 which shared a smaller body and slightly smaller conv top assembly. All '32 thru '34 Convertible Victorias shared the same body and conv top assembly. Of course, these rules do not apply to the true Custom cars.

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TG57Roadmaster 25,000+ Points

TG57Roadmaster

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Scott,

My trusted sources show the Motor Numbers for 903 & 904 Series beginning at 193001 to 199999 (with the 384.8 CID engine). Any chance of sharing your Dad's car's Motor Number with the rest of us (drooling) mere mortals? The various experts could then make a determination as to where the car fits in the year's production.

It can be located on the left front side, as indicated in this illustration.

TG

435461-57BuickStonehenge2.jpg

post-43799-143137927955_thumb.jpg

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tbirdman 5,000+ Points

tbirdman

Posted
Posted

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What great photography - what a magnificent car !

We need to get the REAL "experts" in here to tell us more about the story behind this car. Actually, this could be a real historical "find", as I see the makings of several interesting history stories.

First of all, it is obviously a Super Eight, but what year ? Look at the radiator shell. Painted to LOOK like a "Twin Six" / V-12, but, is it a '32 radiator shell, or is it the "exchange" one to make '30 Packards look like mid-year proiduction 1931's...? Racking my brain to remember when the 8 cylinder Packards went do DOWNdraft carbueration...anyone remember ?

Am NOT surprised by the "big" bumpers. A number of "Deluxe Eights" (translation - the 384 cu in Super Eight) came out of East Grand Blvd. with those monster "vibration damper" bumpers that later were exclusively for the Twelves unless "special ordered". A photo of the dash might tell our "experts" a bit more.

I am NOT an expert, but my HUNCH is this car may well be a real historical "find"...meaning, one of the first, if not the first pre-production Dietreichs made for an auto show.

(either that, or some restorer had a hell of a time pulling a fast one on all of us...!) </div></div>

Packard went to downdraft in 33, 10th series. As you indicated the dash should give us a clue if it's a 32 or 31. Also if it's a three speed then it's a 32. A 4 speed could be either 31 or 32.

Both Super 8's and 12s in 32 had the harmonic balancers as standard. Not sure if the 12s were slightly bigger.

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Tom M 10,000+ Points

Tom M

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Scott,

Thanks for sharing the pictures. These are good guys here and they have a lot of experience as you can tell by some of the posts. They have helped be out on many occasions on my Restoration question.

Maybe I will make down by my stepfather again this November and see that lovely car of your fathers at the Sarasota Show. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

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Guest BillP

Guest BillP

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From TG's picture of the Waterhouse car at Asheville meet, what are the things at the ends of the front bumper that look like fog lights off a 71 Vega? My Packard picture books are too far away or maybe I could answer my own question.

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Restorer32 25,000+ Points

Restorer32

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They are vibration dampers which consist of a heavy (I'm thinking 17 lbs?) lead weight suspended between 2 heavy springs. This apparatus is surrounded by oil inside the canister-like ends of the bumper. Here in my office there is a large splattering of oil on the ceiling caused by opening up one of those canisters while assuming that the oil had likely leaked out long ago. If you take the top cover off, the lead weight acts as a pump, propelling oil everywhere. If you need one of these bumpers expect to pay $4500 or so for an original.

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West Peterson 25,000+ Points

West Peterson

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<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">From TG's picture of the Waterhouse car at Asheville meet, what are the things at the ends of the front bumper that look like fog lights off a 71 Vega? My Packard picture books are too far away or maybe I could answer my own question. </div></div>

I don't see the Waterhouse car pictured on this thread, but TG emailed the photo of the green and creme car that you re talking about. That is an optional bumper (not sure if aftermarket or Packard) accessory that is fairly common on cars from the late 1920s to early 1930s. Those are driving lights on the ends. Kind of cool, but maybe doesn't look too good in the photo.

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Guest BillP

Guest BillP

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Maybe we're talking about 2 different cars here, or at least 2 different bumpers. I was referring to the green/cream/red belt molding car with Woodlites. It doesn't have the oil reservoirs at bumper ends that entertained R32, it has (were they a Packard Accessory or aftermarket?) lights at the ends of the bumper.

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