1935 Twelve All-Weather Town Car by LeBaron
473 cu. in. V12. 175 hp @ 3200 3200 rpm. 366 lb/ft torque @1400 rpm. 3-speed mnaual transmission. 4-wheel mechanical brakes. 144” wheelbase - 5,950 pounds. $6,435 when new.
On loan, courtesy of Pacific Atalnatic Ventures Inc.
Designers Raymond Dietrich and Thomas Hibbard founded the coachbuilding firm LeBaron Carrossiers in 1922 while the duo was working for Brewster & Co. in New York City. They chose “LeBaron” because it sounded elegant and was easy to say. Briggs purchased LeBaron in 1926 and built custom car like this one for many companies before Chrysler bought Briggs in 1953.
This Twelve Town Car was the most expensive model Packard offered in 1935 and was specially designed to be driven by a chauffeur. A style that harkens back to horse-drawn carriages, the open front allows the driver to easily get in and out to assist passengers. “All-Weather” connotes a soft-top that can be placed over the driver’s compartment when bad weather is expected.
In 1935…Penguin Books is founded, printing affordable paperbacks for the masses. Babe Ruth hits his 714th home run, an MLB record that stood until 1974. The United Kingdom requires a driving test and license plates to drive legally. Average income: $1,600. Gallon of glass: $0.15. Average new car: $625.
