MOTORINGPURSUITS  12.24

Restored, Resurgent Packard

Back on its Historical Journey

The JBS Collection’s 1934 Packard Twelve 1108 Custom Convertible Sedan by Dietrich, originally owned by heiress-turned-explorer Louise Arner Boyd, won two awards at the 2024 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and is the first automobile to be featured in the upcoming interview series, The Journey.

The JBS Collection and owner Jack Boyd Smith Jr. had a day to remember on Sunday, Aug. 18, in Monterey, California. At the 2024 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, the collection’s freshly-restored 1934 Packard Twelve 1108 Custom Convertible Sedan by Dietrich was awarded both the Gwenn Graham Most Elegant Convertible Award Sponsored by Lalique North America, and the Briggs Cunningham Trophy Sponsored by Ford Motor Company.

The 12-cylinder 1934 Packard 1108 Custom Convertible Dietrich Sedan—its restoration recently completed to original specifications by LaVine Restorations, Inc. of Nappanee, Indiana—was originally owned by infamous California heiress-turned-explorer, Louise Arner Boyd. Boyd was a U.S. delegate to the 1934 International Geographical Congress in Warsaw, Poland, and had this very Packard custom built for her three-month journey across Poland.

According to Car and Driver who test-drove the vehicle, all of the Hummer’s drive modes affect throttle maps, torque distribution, steering, ride height, shock damping, braking, and interior sound enhancements. Off-Road mode is the go-to setting for general driving off the beaten path; it gives a good mix of increased damping, a sensitive but manageable accelerator, increased rear steering (0.6:1 of front angle), and a more aggressive rear virtual-locking differential. Terrain, the Hummer’s most capable off-road drive mode, takes everything up a notch by dampening throttle inputs for smoother torque application in hill- and rock-climbing situations. It features softer shock damping for better articulation than in Off-Road mode, and it has the most aggressive traction control and rear locker settings. Most impressive, Terrain mode also increases the rear steering angle to 1.2 times the front angle, which allows the rear axle to oversteer the front.

The vehicle has plenty of rear-seat space for loading in long-legged teenagers. The cargo area is big enough for five adult occupants’ luggage, although the high floor does create a bit of a squeeze.

GMC has introduced the limited-edition 2024 Hummer EV 3x Omega Edition with an exclusive new Neptune Blue Matte exterior color. The special edition includes an extreme off-road package, black exterior badges, transparent sky panels, exclusive high-lux carpet flooring, black beadlock mounted spare wheel, and a host of other attractive features.

In summary, the Hummer EV SUV is an exceptionally exciting ride. It accelerates like a sports car, handles like it’s thousands of pounds lighter, and it possesses a unique charm like no other vehicle. If you and your family are looking for a vehicle that is going to take you through a range of emotions – this is your ticket to loads of entertaining driving.

Acknowledgments: Car and Driver