Measuring our at nearly 500ci and producing 160hp, the Packard V12 isn’t exactly the type of engine a modern hot rodder would want to slap into his car and go hunting for ducks at the strip but more than eight decades ago, owning a 1932 Packard Twin Six V12 meant that you were someone who was loaded and wanted only the best things. It also meant that you were one of the few people who had two nickels to rub together as the Great Depression was raging and people were struggling for money to buy food let alone luxury cars that cost as much or more than some people made in a lifetime. That being said, this is one neat engine and despite its depression roots, it now commands rich guy money with an asking price of $80,000.
If you think that’s off the wall, consider the logical argument that the seller made. Less than 600 of these engines were ever produced and if 5% of the original run of cars survived that’s about 30 cars, give or take. If you are going to restore a 1932 Packard Twin Six V12 where else are you going to go for an engine, right? This one has lived in comfy heated storage for many years after being rebuilt and used briefly in Washington State.
Perhaps the most interesting part of the whole lump is the exhaust. Like us, you are probably looking at the photos wondering where the exhaust manifolds are. You need to start by looking at the intake manifold because the exhaust come right back up into the valley and is channeled through a spider-like exhaust manifold that is one piece and has a single dump at the rear of the engine. In terms of efficiency, this is probably as bad as it gets but we sure think that it looks cool. That exhaust manifold alone must be unobtanium of the highest order. Times 10.
Here’s a brief snippet of the eBay description, the rest is a great read and you can see it by clicking the link at the bottom of the page –
This mighty power plant is a cast iron 67 degree monoblock design with a bore of 3-7/16 inches and a stroke of 4 inches. These dimensions result in a displacement of 445.5 cubic inches. This engine has 4 main bearings, hydraulic zero lash valve lifters and a Stromberg – Duplex dual venturi downdraft carburetor. This rare carburetor is included even though it is not shown in these older photos I took when transporting this engine several years ago. I do not have the air cleaner for this engine. It will take me a few days to get this engine to where I can get more and better photos of it.
In 1932 this engine was rated at 160 HP at 3,200 RPM. In 1935 the stroke was increased from 4 inches to 4-1/4 inches which increased the displacement by 27.8 cubic inches and increased the output to 175 HP at 3,200 RPM. The size and output of this fine engine remained unchanged through 1939 which was the last year that Packard produced a twelve cylinder automobile.
SCROLL DOWN TO SEE PHOTOS AND THE HIT THE LINK FOR MORE PHOTOS AND INFO –
Dual turbo’s from eBay – obviously.