Dietrich, Inc. Coachbuilders
Dietrich, Inc. Coachbuilders - Over 10,000 Classic, Collector and Current Cars and Trucks at RemarkableCars.com
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 1932 Packard Model 904 Dietrich Sport Phaeton | 1932 Packard Model 904 Dietrich Sport Phaeton 1932 Packard Model 904 Dietrich Sport Phaeton Location: 2009 Concours d'Elegance Amelia Island, Florida Date: March 15, 2009 Photos By: Douglas Wilkinson by Douglas |
 1934 Packard 1104 Super 8 Convertible Victoria Dietrich | 1934 Packard 1104 Super 8 Convertible Victoria Dietrich 1934 Packard 1104 Super 8 Convertible Victoria Dietrich Location: 2009 Concours d'Elegance Amelia Island, Florida Date: March 15, 2009 Photos By: Douglas Wilkinson by Douglas |
 1930 Lincoln Model L Convertible Sedan | 1930 Lincoln Model L Convertible Sedan 73,700.00 USD Offered For Sale at the: RM Auction - Vintage Motor Cars at Meadow Brook Hall August 6, 2005, Auburn Hills, Michigan RM Auctions One Classic Car Drive Blenheim, Ontario N0P 1A0 Canada Phone: 519-352-4575 Website: www.rmauctions.com 1930 Lincoln Model L Convertible Sedan LOT: 104 Estimate: $80,000-$90,000 US Chassis No. 62427 AUCTION RESULTS: Lot was Sold at a price of $73,700 90bhp 384.8 cu. in. L-head V8 engine, three-main bearings, mechanical lifters, Stromberg carburetor, three-speed sliding gear transmission and four-wheel mechanical drum brakes. Wheelbase: 136" Begun by Henry Leland, Lincoln was only in its second year of production when a sly Henry Ford rescued the company and took control. Ford was now in the luxury car business and he and son Edsel were about to make Lincoln a leader in the marketplace rivaling such notables as Pierce-Arrow, Packard and Cadillac. In 1930 production of the Model L was nearing an end with an all new K to appear in 1931. To help boost sales Lincoln made some subtle, but tasteful and visibly noticeable changes to the L models for 1930. The appearance of the 1930 Lincoln was practically the same as the previous year, but the fenders were painted to match the body color rather than in a contrasting shade. This discrete change gave the L a far more modern look. In addition, natural canvas tops and spare wheel covers also provided Lincoln’s open cars with yet another change in appearance. All Lincolns in 1930 were equipped with four-wheel mechanical drum brakes and powered by its tried and true 90bhp 384.8 cubic inch V8 engine. A significant mechanical change was the addition of worm and roller type steering that provided more precise steering and improved considerably overall handling. The British magazine The Autocar tested the Lincoln L in 1930 and candidly compared it to the contemporary Isotta-Fraschini. They discovered the performance of the standard Lincoln was equal to the Super Sports Isotta that claimed 150bhp and a top speed of 100mph. The top speed of the Lincoln was 80mph with a 10 to 30mph time of 5.2 seconds and fuel consumption of 12 miles to the gallon. It should also be noted that every US President in the past decade had owned a Lincoln and Calvin Coolidge declared it was his favorite car. Many foreign dignitaries and presidents also owned Lincolns. There were 20 Lincoln models available in 1930 that ranged in price from $4,200 for a five passenger Sport Phaeton to the $7,200 all weather, seven passenger Cabriolet Brougham. With sales totaling 4,356 cars, Lincoln was 26th in sales in 1930. Although appearing in Lincoln catalogs, the five passenger Dietrich bodied Convertible Sedans were special order vehicles and more like factory custom cars. In 1930 a mere 40 were produced and retailed for an exclusive $6,600. This Lincoln was technically known as the Model 182 and weighed in at 5,000 pounds. This CCCA recognized 1930 Dietrich bodied Convertible Sedan can best be described as having undergone a sympathetic restoration as it remains a low mileage original example that was never totally disassembled. While now featuring a new interior, a cosmetic repaint, fresh brightwork and a rebuilt engine and mechanicals, the vendor describes this car as a fully sorted Lincoln that is superbly detailed and in excellent running condition – this rare, stately Lincoln is ready for show or go. by Douglas |
 1930 Packard 745 Convertible Victoria | 1930 Packard 745 Convertible Victoria 269,500.00 USD Offered For Sale at the: RM Auction - Vintage Motor Cars at Meadow Brook Hall August 6, 2005, Auburn Hills, Michigan RM Auctions One Classic Car Drive Blenheim, Ontario N0P 1A0 Canada Phone: 519-352-4575 Website: www.rmauctions.com 1930 Packard 745 Convertible Victoria LOT: 090 Estimate: $225,000-$275,000 US Chassis No. 181570 AUCTION RESULTS: Lot was Sold at a price of $269,500 106hp 385 cu. in. inline eight-cylinder engine with four-speed transmission, Bijur chassis lubrication, leaf spring solid front axle, leaf spring live rear axle and four-wheel mechanical drum brakes. Wheelbase: 145" During the era of coachbuilt automobiles, Packard was the undisputed leader, selling more cars than all other fine car brands combined. No other manufacturer since has enjoyed such a commanding lead. Heads of state and captains of industry alike chose Packards for their personal transportation. Many consider the 745 to represent the ultimate Packard from this period. Its long 145 inch wheelbase provided the ultimate platform for the custom coachbuilders of the era to create what many consider to be their finest designs. For 1931, Packard moved the cowl ahead, creating more body space, but shortening the hood by five inches. As a result, the long hood of the 745 series is highly prized by collectors today. Additionally, the seventh series introduced the flowing fender line that has since come to characterize the classic era. Unlike the earlier cars, the line from the crown of the fender to the running board creates a single, beautiful, sweeping arc. Most Packards were production cars – well built, luxurious, smooth, and quiet. Even these were frighteningly expensive, selling for the price of a very nice house. Most Packard buyers could well afford a comfortable, closed car. Consequently, the sportier open bodies are far rarer today, and coachbuilt ones are the rarest and most desirable of all. One of the most respected designers of the classic era, Ray Dietrich was also one of the most influential. After stints at Brewster and LeBaron, he formed Dietrich, Inc. where his smart and elegant designs attracted the attention of Packard management, and as a result, Packard became one of Dietrich’s best customers. Lacking an in-house styling department, Packard incorporated Dietrich design cues in later production cars. In fact, after 1933, all open Packards carried Dietrich body tags. Nevertheless, Dietrich still built a few custom bodies for the senior Packards, and these special cars have come to epitomize the ultimate in classic styling. Every line is exquisite, starting with the graceful low cut windshield, continuing with the Dietrich trademark beltline, and finishing with a superbly crafted top that makes the car look as good with the top up as it does down. Although the selling price of this remarkable coachbuilt Packard is not known, its first owner could certainly afford to indulge himself. A long time Packard dealer, Alvan T. Fuller was also a highly successful politician, serving terms in the Massachusetts House of Representatives, as a U.S. Congressman, and finally as Governor of the state of Massachusetts from 1925 to 1929. It is interesting that according to the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, Fuller never accepted a dollar for his time in public service. The Packard’s next owner is believed to have been a wealthy business man who drove the car to Florida for the winter in the late 1930s and early 1940s. Eventually, the car was discovered in a garage by Mr. and Mrs. Hubbard G. Clapper of Orlando, Florida. By 1997, the Packard was owned by Les Bowen, who commissioned acomplete professional restoration by Florida restorer Steve Cooley. Following restoration, the car earned its CCCA Premier award in 1999 and 2001. It also scored a perfect 100 points at the 100th anniversary Packard National Meet and won a Best in Class award at the 2004 Meadow Brook Hall Concours d’ Elegance. Notably, this remarkable coachbuilt Packard is documented by Ray Dietrich himself. In a letter to the Clappers dated July 4, 1974, he confirms the details of the car’s construction, along with its original VIN, engine number, cowl ID, and body numbers. According to Dietrich, “This letter will authenticate the 1930 Packard 745 Victoria Convertible which you own as having been designed by me and built under my supervision.” This unique Dietrich design displays the master’s talent for line and proportion. Beginning with the 745’s long hood, the body is designed to end over the rear axle, emphasizing the body’s sporty close-coupled proportions. The beltline is unusual, extending from the grille shell to the rear of the body with cutouts below the windows first seen on Parisian designs by Hibbard & Darrin. The effect is to lend the car a distinctly European flavor. Although the car’s original colors are not known, the body’s orange paint is typical of Packard’s advertising of the period. The cream beltline provides the perfect accent color, while complementing the flawless leather interior. Black fenders were, of course, common at the time, and combined with the black top give the car a pleasing contrast. Particularly attractive are the wheels, correctly finished with painted rims and stainless spokes. Today, the car’s condition is essentially as restored, showing little or no deterioration of interior finishes, engine bay, and exterior trim and brightwork. There is some minor age-related deterioration of the paint finish along the hood and door moldings. The car is well equipped, including dual sidemounted spares with accessory rear view mirrors, a stone guard, Packard Custom hood ornament, and a correct painted trunk with additional rear mounted trunk rack. Many experts consider the 745 series Packards to represent the pinnacle of the custom body era. While hundreds were built, few survive today. The Fuller car offered here combines many of the ultimate attributes sought by today’s collectors: a history of important owners, provenance and period documentation, and an exceptional quality of restoration. The result is a car fully suitable to show, while remaining quite capable of touring – where the sight of this majestic Packard on today’s roads is sure to create an indelible impression upon those fortunate enough to witness it. by Douglas |
Dietrich, Inc. Coachbuilders
Dietrich, Incororated
Detroit, Michigan
Founded by Raymond Dietrich
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