The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Vintage movie car glamour at Concours 2022
The Concours of Elegance has announced that its 10th anniversary event this year will celebrate the history of one of the most innovative car manufacturers of all time: Packard.
The American marque, known for its refinement, mechanical quality and opulence, was one of the finest automobile makers in the first half of the 20th Century, and was a favourite among European royalty, corporate America, actors and celebrities.
The Concours of Elegance – famed for gathering together the rarest cars ever created – will showcase a selection of the world’s finest Packard Twelves at Hampton Court Palace in September.
Belonging to prominent American Jack Boyd Smith Jr, The JBS Collection’s ‘Magnificent Seven’ have been subject to a 100-point restoration by specialists LaVine Restorations, and have never been displayed outside the US before.
On display will be a gun metal grey 1933 Packard
Twelve Coupe Roadster – of which only five were ever manufactured – and just two remain.
This model and year was the first run of the Packard Twelve, which succeeded the Packard Twin Six.
The car features a 7.3-litre 160bhp V12 engine and was the only year that
featured a unique foldout window design.
This particular Packard commands a sizeable trophy cabinet, having won three recent awards, at Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, Amelia Island
Concours d’Elegance, and Concours d’Elegance of America at St John’s.
Alongside it is a blue 1934 Packard Twelve Coupe Roadster, a 1934 Packard Twelve Formal Sedan, a 1934 Packard Twelve Victoria, a 1934 Packard Twelve Convertible Sedan, and a Convertible Coupe model.
Fans will also be treated to a black 1936 Packard Twelve All Weather Cabriolet, once owned by Charlie Chaplin. The car featured in The Godfather and The Betsy, as well as appearing in Remington Steele with Pierce Brosnan.
Packard was active from the production of the first Packard vehicles in 1899 to the last Detroit-built Packard model in 1956.
The Concours of Elegance takes place from September 2 to 4 at Hampton Court Palace in London.
For tickets, go to concoursofelegance.co.uk/ tickets