The American manufacturer Packard offered discerning consumers the
opportunity to buy high quality, large and powerful automobiles. These
were often conservative in styling, but this changed with this V-12
powered Model 1106 Sport Coupe of 1934, which, with the exception of its
vertical and high-shouldered grille, looks little like other Packards. A
close-coupled fastback, this coupe evidences styling cues used by
Figoni & Falaschi, Saoutchik, Carrozzeria Touring, and Letourneur
& Marchand―coachbuilders that were at the forefront of the design
world. Yet, this Packard was built by LeBaron, which despite its
French-sounding name was as American as New York, Bridgeport, and
Detroit, where the company was variously based.
The new Sport
Coupe embodied many design hallmarks attributed to the Art Deco style: a
sloping roofline was echoed by the curves of the voluptuous pontoon
fenders, while the curved upper shape of the full rear fender skirts
matched the contour of the fenders themselves. Continuing the theme, the
trunk opening was almost circular. Distinctive almond-shaped motifs
were used for the rear quarter windows, backlight, and many smaller
details. Other distinctive visual features include the triangular rear
quarter interior lamps, bold chrome windshield moldings, curved hood
louvers, and the stylized emblems for the fender skirts.
The
style of this Packard—streamlined, sleek, and modern—appealed to
affluent buyers far more than Chrysler’s more radical Airflow. Yet, this
relatively bold car was ideal for someone who wasn’t afraid to be seen
and talked about.
Source: Internet