Coachwork by Dietrich

Engine - 445.5 cubic-inch Twelve cylinder
Transmission - 3-Speed synchro-mesh
Horsepower - 160
Production - One of One for 1933

“WOW! A dozen WOWS!”

Despite the economic climate of the United States during the early 1930s, Packard was able to persevere, as they had positioned themselves well over the years financially. The firm owned the properties making up their production facilities, and was actually able to maintain a margin of profit through the Great Depression, albeit small. Packard never wavered in its tradition of producing some of the most extravagant custom bodied examples to demonstrate their capabilities. In keeping with the practice of limited production of their most elite offerings, it may not be surprising that this Individual Custom Dietrich Convertible Victoria is the sole example produced on the short-lived 1006 Twelve chassis. Furthermore, the car was photographed on the factory studio turntable upon its completion in 1933, adding to its remarkable provenance.

Chassis 1006-22 was delivered new to a Packard Distributor in Hartford, Connecticut, and remained in the area until being acquired by Frank Akutowicz in 1950. Akutowicz took the Packard with him to college in Pennsylvania, and in 1953 he replied to an ad placed in Motor Trend Magazine by Armin “Mitty” Mittermaier, who was in search of a 1932 to 1934 Packard Dietrich Victoria. Mitty traveled to Pennsylvania to inspect the 1006 Twelve Victoria, and upon laying eyes on its original two-tone green paint and intact original interior, he proclaimed “WOW! A dozen WOWS!”. A deal was quickly struck and Mitty proceeded to drive the all-original Packard back to his home in Ft. Wayne Indiana.

After driving the Packard for a few years on select Classic Car Club of America outings, Armin would undertake its first restoration, thankfully able to utilize all of the Packard's original wood and components given the cars amazing originality. When completed, the Dietrich Victoria took residency in Mittermaier's home, in a specially built space where it could be viewed from his dining room table! The cherished Packard would remain with Mitty until his passing in 1993, finally selling from his estate to Otis Chandler in 1997. Chandler immediately had a frame off restoration completed by Bob Mosier, a noted authority in the restoration of many concours-quality classic automobiles. To this day the restoration still presents as a freshly completed work, a testament to the quality of the restoration and to the quality of the original automobile.