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• Auction House:
  Webb's
• Sale Name:
  Warbirds & Wheels
• Sale Date:
  30 Mar 2014 ~ 1pm (NZ time)
• Lot #:
  32
• Lot Description:
  1941 180 Packard All Weather Cabriolet
• Notes:
  This one-off design by Rollson was ordered by E. Parmalee Prentiss of Pocantico Hills, New York, the son in law of John D. Rockefeller. Mr Prentiss would acquire a custom motor vechicle every year as a gift to his wife Alta Rockefeller. As on all of the cars commissioned by Prentiss, no manufacturer's badging were permitted, as is the case with this immaculate 180 Senior. The Rockefellers and Prentices could afford any car in the world but they usually chose Packards. While this Rollson model was in the Packard Catalogue from 1938 to 1942, this is the only example produced in 1941 – on the eve of America’s entry into the theatre of war. It is Serial number 2001 of a set of numbers starting with 2001. This 4,075 pound car, riding on a 138-inch wheelbase, is powered by a 356 cubic-inch inline-eight producing 160 horsepower. New, this car sold for $4,695, while a Packard standard 4-door sedan sold for $1,076. It was the first automobile to have power windows, which are hydraulic. It should be noted that Packard offered over 100 factory options. This beautiful automobile found its way into the prestigious Harrah’s auto museum (NV, USA) and the Managing Director of the Rockefeller auto museum in Arkansas recalls that they had Alta’s All Weather cabriolet in 1963 until it went to Harrah’s in the 70’s, and that the family owned the car from 1941 until Alta’s death in 1962. He remembered that it had the initials “ARP” on the door and that the hubcaps had covers on them to hide the Packard name because Mr. Prentice did not want to advertise the car they preferred which reflects provenance of this particular automobile. Having recently completed a three-year restoration Alta Rockefellers 180 Packard All weather Cabriolet remains a celebration of 20th century optimism and luxury design.
• Estimate:
  NZ$175,000 - 225,000
• Realised Price:
  *****
  

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• Category:
  Automobiles & Accessories

This Sale has been held and this item is no longer available. Details are provided for information purposes only.