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1932 Packard Twin Six 906

1932 Packard Twin Six 906

Released at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York city, the 1932 Twin Six marked Packard’s reemergence into the super luxury market. It became their flagship model and a pillar of American prestige.

As early as 1912, Packard manufactured the world’s first V12 engine and it was first put into series production for the 1915 Twin Six. Production halted in 1920, but V12 development continued for racing and later powered the WW1 Libery aircraft. After nearly a decade of absence, Packard’s V12 returned to face new competition from Duesenberg and the Cadillac V16.

Developed from the bottom up, Packard’s ‘second generation’ V12 couldn’t have come at a worse time. Effects of the depression were shrinking demand for majestic cars like the Twin Six and all of its competition as well. For this reason, the Twin Six was launched alongside the Light Eight, a more affordable eight cylinder model which was more financially important to the company.

As an answer to Buick’s powerful V8, Packard hired Conelius Van Ranst to make a small bore V12 at an odd, but compact, angle of 67 degrees. Furthermore, it was inspired by his work at Cord and was designed with a complex drive train that powered the front wheels! Unfortunately, major transaxle problems delayed development, and a more traditional RWD platform was chosen after only one FWD prototype was completed. Despite these setbacks, the smoothness and positive attributes of the new V12 motivated Packard to move forward with the model. They enlarged the V12 to balance their heavier Deluxe Eight chassis that was used instead.

The finished engine used modern downdraft carburetors built by Stromberg which were modified to have a larger venturi. This was attached to a zero lash valve train that used a single, center-mounted camshaft to actuate nearly horizontal valves with GM-patented indirect hydraulic tappets. The system was quiet and since spacing between valve train components was reduced to zero, it could go 50 000 miles before a valve adjustment. It also placed some of the combustion chamber in the block, which gave it a ‘modified L-head’ designation. These new features helped the V12 produce a favorable 160 bhp and 322 ft. lbs. of torque which could power most of the various bodies that covered it to 100 mph.

Automatic clutch control was a popular feature among luxury brands which engaged the clutch when the accelerator was released. Packard embraced the concept with their ‘finger control free wheeling’ by offering a switch on the dashboard that automatically used engine vacuum to engage the clutch. This later became an option which was discarded due to lack of control.

At the time, a custom coach built body was a symbol of status and wealth and the Twin Six helped increase Packard’s prestige by featuring some of the best American bodies by Brewster, Fleetwood, Judkins and LeBaron. To keep most of the work in house, Packard hired Raymond Dietrich to design their own in-house bodies which for the most part reflected the conservatism of Packard’s target market. These were offset by Nine more flamboyant designs which flaunted Packard’s ‘Individual Custom’ tag. Prices ranged from $3895 for a standard touring model while the top-of-the-line Landaulet went for $7950. All these designs were later touched up by Count Alex de Sakhnoffsky to include longer front hoods that matched the width of the body.

One of the most striking Twin Six bodies was the Boattail Speedster designed by Ed Macauley which was a further developed version of the earlier 734 Speedster. It was distinguished by its dramatic converging rear end and teardrop pontoon fenders. Further adding to the streamlined shape was a completely disappearing top, hidden spare wheels and rear fender skirts. Most Boattail Speedsters were built by LeBaron and every year Macauley updated its design.

All Twin Sixes were produced in the Ninth Series as either a 905 or 906 model and despite the hard economic times, production reached 549 cars. After 1933, Packard upgraded from the ninth to the tenth series and the Twin Six became known as the Twelve. By the Twelfth series, the engine was increased to 473 cu. in.

In Detail

submitted by Richard Owen
type Series Production Car
production 236
price $ $ 7,950
engine 67 Degree, Cast Iron, V12 w/Modified L-Head
position Front Longitudinal
aspiration Natural
valvetrain 2 Horizonal Valves per Cyl w/Zero Lash Valve Silencers
fuel feed Downdraft Stromberg EE-3 Carburetor
displacement 7292 cc / 445 in³
bore 87.12 mm / 3.43 in
stroke 101.6 mm / 4.00 in
compression 6.0:1
power 119.3 kw / 160 bhp @ 3200 rpm
specific output 21.94 bhp per litre
bhp/weight 64.13 bhp per tonne
torque 436.57 nm / 322 ft lbs @ 1400 rpm
redline 4200
body / frame Steel Body over Press Steel Ladder-Type Frame w/X Center Brace
driven wheels RWD, Hotchkiss Final Drive
wheel type Wire or Wood
front tires 18×7.5
rear tires 18×7.5
front brakes Cable Operated Bendex Drums w/Bragg-Klierath Vacuum Assist, Perrot Control
rear brakes Cable Operated Bendex Drums w/Bragg-Klierath Vacuum Assist
steering Packard Worm & Sector
f suspension Solid Axle w/Semi-Elliptic Leaf Springs
r suspension Live Axle
curb weight 2495 kg / 5500 lbs
wheelbase 3609 mm / 142.1 in
front track 1505 mm / 59.25 in
rear track 1505 mm / 59.25 in
transmission 3-Speed Synchromesh w/Free Wheeling Clutch
final drive 4.69:1
top speed ~162.5 kph / 101 mph

Auction Sales History

1932 Packard Twin Six 906

900362 – Offered by RM at the Amelia Island Concours Auction, this Sport Phaeton was described as one of the twelve produced. Its history is unknown, since the body was taken off its original chassis then modified to go on a more modern Packard chassis. Afterwards the hybrid car was purchased and the body was again modified to go back on a more suitable 1932 Twin Six chassis. This dark violet Twin Six was offered at RM’s Amelia Island Auction and sold for $1 650 000

1932 Packard Twin Six 906

1932 Packard Twin Six Individual Custom 906 Dietrich Convertible Sedan 900104 – sold for $840,000 Offered from the collection of Bob and Sandra Bahre. Original Dietrich Individual Custom bodywork. A well-preserved Steve Gunder restoration. Available for sale for the first time in 33 years. Auction Source: Amelia Island 2014 by RM Auctions

1932 Packard Twin Six 906

 1932 Packard Individual Custom Twin Six 906 Sport Phaeton 900331 – sold for $946,000 Ex-Jim Hull, Dick Dewey, Robert Bahre, and Lee Herrington. Winner of the Most Elegant Open Car at Pebble Beach in 1997. Offered from the Estate of John O’Quinn. Auction Source: Monterey 2012 by RM Auctions
1932 Packard Twin Six 906
1932 Packard Twin Six Individual Custom Dietrich Convertible Sedan 900245 – sold for $1,100,000 Owned new by famed American entertainer Al Jolson. The ultimate Packard with 12-cylinder power, from the most desirable coachbuilder. Known history and concours showings, including Pebble Beach award in 1963. One of only two examples in existence; beautifully presented. Auction Source: 2011 St. John’s Auction by RM