“With the introduction of the new Tenth Series cars Packard offers what are unquestionably the greatest Packards ever built.” Packard was not shy when promoting its 1933 offerings, and its mechanical refinements justified this advertising claim. The short, seven-and-a-half-month production run yielded just 520 of the top-of-the-line Twelve series. Most sporting among the 11 production body styles was the coupe roadster, body design no. 639, such as the example offered here.

This Packard Twelve Coupe Roadster was delivered new to rodeo champion and western film actor Edmund Richard “Hoot” Gibson, who no doubt could afford the $3,850 price tag – a 40% premium over its Super Eight counterpart. The Packard passed to two Los Angeles-area owners before acquisition by Temple Buell III of Denver, Colorado, and Santa Barbara, California. He successfully completed the 1984 Great Race with it before Phil Bray took possession in 1989.

A hands-on enthusiast, Mr. Bray completed a frame-off restoration, which earned the car a 100-point score at the 1992 CCCA Grand Classic in Michigan. Encore First Place CCCA wins followed in 1993 and 1994, along with AACA Junior, Senior, and Grand National awards, as well as the coveted Joseph Parkin Award.

The Packard was then acquired by Fred Drasner of New York, who served as co-owner and CEO of both the New York Daily News and U.S. News & World Report. The car remained in Mr. Drasner’s collection until 2002, when it was sold to noted collector Jim Fasnacht of Houston, Texas. Mr. Fasnacht enlisted LaVine Restorations of Nappanee, Indiana, to execute an exacting restoration of the car. Receipts totaling more than $225,000 document the 18-month effort, and the car emerged in the colors it carries today: solid black paintwork with a matching canvas top and contrasting brown leather upholstery and carpeting. The freshly restored Packard made its debut at the 2003 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance®, where it received a class award after handily completing the 70-mile Tour d’Elegance.

The Packard’s current owner acquired the car in 2011, and it has been well cared-for among a large collection of automotive finery. The car presents beautifully, its black paintwork set off by chromed wire wheels fitted with blackwall tires, plus metal side-mount covers and the painted radiator shell, all of which contribute to its purposeful stance.

Automotive historian Karl Ludvigsen described the Packard Twelve’s acceleration as “exceptional for such a massive machine, while it trickled easily away from 5 mph in top gear.” These road manners – coupled with a concours restoration and numerous awards – make this Coupe Roadster a rare and desirable offering.