LeBaron was established in 1920 by automotive luminaries Thomas L. Hibbard and Raymond H. Dietrich. Both men previously worked as draftsmen for one of the most prestigious American coachbuilders, Brewster & Co., in Long Island, New York. The name LeBaron was chosen to invoke the prestige and grandeur of French design. The initial vision for their new operation was not a coachbuilding company, but rather a design-consulting firm, where they would create fresh designs and engineering plans from which a number of coachbuilders could work. After merging with the Bridgeport Body Company in 1923, LeBaron had the ability to construct the very designs it created. Although, by 1927, Hibbard and Dietrich had left the firm they built, their influence remained and LeBaron continued as one of the country’s premier custom coachwork builders.

Packard Motor Car Company built 520 examples of its top-of-the-line Twelve in 1933, and offered the exclusive chassis in a generous range of catalogue and custom body styles. Several surviving examples of custom coachwork on the Twelve chassis are unique, including the car offered here. This LeBaron Town Car has had the good fortune of being held in high regard throughout its life by knowledgeable and long-term owners.

This Packard was ordered new by Mrs. Aaron Carpenter of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and is one of three such Twelves bodied to this design by LeBaron. Notably, this is the only example of the three to receive the option of the collapsible landaulet roof, allowing the rear passengers to enjoy the open air when weather permitted. The Carpenters ran the very successful Pennsylvania-based E.F. Houghton Company, which produced specialized lubricants for scores of applications, and Mrs. Carpenter was chauffeur-driven in the car, creating a stir in later years wherever it appeared in Philadelphia society. The Carpenters used the Town Car until 1957, when it was sold to local enthusiast Gil Christensen who displayed it at a local show in Cape May, New Jersey, late that year before selling it to Al Dumrose of New Mexico in 1958. The Landaulet remained a cherished favorite by generations of the Dumroses for over a decade, taking part in family functions and local parades.

Bruce Dillman of Newtown, Connecticut, acquired the Packard Twelve in 1974 via legendary collector and classic car tire manufacturer Tom Lester, and commissioned an extensive refurbishment in 1987, retaining Kent Bain of Automotive Restorations Inc. Mr. Dillman recently recalled that the car was in excellent condition throughout, requiring minimal metal work prior to the application of new paint. The interior appeared original at the time, and not in need of replacement, though a new leather top was installed.

In 1996, Mr. Dillman sold the Packard via Martin Godbey of Sarasota, Florida, to noted Packard authority N. Gene Perkins, where it joined his enviable collection of 12-cylinder and Individual Custom Packards. The car remained with Mr. Perkins until 2008, when it was purchased by well-known Packard enthusiast Dr. Lonnie Fallin, who campaigned it on a CCCA CARavan in Colorado later that year. Dr. Fallin reports that he soon undertook a major body-on restoration, which included paint, interior, and mechanical refurbishment. The Packard made its concours debut at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance® in 2009, earning a Second in Class award. The following year, it took high honors at the CCCA Grand Classic in Hickory Corners, Michigan.

Offered here is a one-of-one formal but sporting Packard Town Car Landaulet that has been cherished and respected throughout its life, and it deserves to be counted among the truly great surviving Packard Twelves. This special LeBaron-bodied Individual Custom has been a favorite in several collections since it was new, and it is sure to imbue the same pride of ownership to its next caretaker.

*Please note that this vehicle is titled by its Packard Vehicle Number, which is 100646.