Gooding & Company, the world’s leading auction house for collectors of rare and exceptional cars, announces that it will be presenting an exciting collection of Packard Twelves at its 2012 Scottsdale Auctions on January 20 & 21: six extraordinary automobiles from the estate of Thomas A. Moretti, the beloved and respected Packard Twelve collector. The centerpiece of Moretti’s collection is an extremely rare 100-point 1932 Packard Twin Six Coupe formerly owned by Hollywood legend Clark Gable. “We are honored to have been chosen to sell the beloved cars from the Moretti Estate,” says David Gooding, President and founder of Gooding & […]
Gooding & Company, the world’s leading auction house for collectors of rare and exceptional cars, announces that it will be presenting an exciting collection of Packard Twelves at its 2012 Scottsdale Auctions on January 20 & 21: six extraordinary automobiles from the estate of Thomas A. Moretti, the beloved and respected Packard Twelve collector. The centerpiece of Moretti’s collection is an extremely rare 100-point 1932 Packard Twin Six Coupe formerly owned by Hollywood legend Clark Gable.
“We are honored to have been chosen to sell the beloved cars from the Moretti Estate,” says David Gooding, President and founder of Gooding & Company. “Tom was a rare combination of passionate collector and restorer who restored each of his Packard Twelves to perfection. I am in awe of Tom’s painstaking quest for excellence.”
The Moretti Estate Collection of Packard Twelves. Image copyright and courtesy of Gooding & Company; Photos by Pawel Litwinski.
The Thomas A. Moretti Estate Collection
Thomas Moretti was an admired Packard Twelve collector, respected by professional restorers and fellow collectors for his encyclopedic knowledge and sensational, award-winning restorations. A testament to his craft, Moretti completed full restorations on five of his Packard Twelves, all of which won First in Class at Pebble Beach, an unbelievable feat many professional restorers never achieve.
Clark Gable posing with the 1932 Packard Twin Six 905 Coupe Roadster. Photo Courtesy of mptvimages.com.
The 1932 ‘Clark Gable’ Packard Twin Six 905 Coupe Roadster
(Estimate $650,000 – $850,000)
One of only a few 905 Convertible Coupes known to survive, this elegant Packard was originally owned by Hollywood legend and automotive enthusiast Clark Gable. The car later gained great respect for its own sparkle, winning its class at three of the most respected collector events in America following Moretti’s exquisite restoration: Pebble Beach, Amelia Island and Meadow Brook. As a 100-point, open Twin Six with golden Hollywood heritage, it is the closest thing to what collectors can call a ‘perfect’ Packard.
“Tom was a great steward of American Classics, and when his cars came to the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, they almost always won their class,” says Glenn Mounger, Former Chairman of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. “His restorations were authentic down to the smallest detail.”
The Packard Twelves of the Thomas A. Moretti Collection are listed below in chronological order:
1932 Packard Twin Six 905 Coupe Roadster
(Estimate $650,000 – $850,000)
- – One of very few genuine examples known to survive
- – First in Class at Pebble Beach, Amelia Island and Meadow Brook
- – 100-point car in CCCA judging
1933 Packard Twelve 1005 Coupe Roadster
(Estimate $350,000 – $425,000)
- – Displayed at Pebble Beach in 1976 and 1998
– Four-owner car from new - – An ideal and experienced touring car
1934 Packard Twelve 1107 Convertible Victoria
(Estimate $450,000 – $650,000)
- – First in Class at Pebble Beach, Amelia Island and Meadow Brook
- – Three-time 100-point car in CCCA judging
- – Very rare and desirable, open body style
1934 Packard Twelve 1107 Seven-Passenger Touring
(Estimate $400,000 – $550,000)
- – First in Class at Pebble Beach, Amelia Island, Meadow Brook and Glenmoor Gathering
- – Rare and with a unique body style, this car is believed to have served as an official parade car for the City of New York in 1934
- – 100-point car in CCCA judging
1936 Packard Twelve 1407 Coupe Roadster
(Estimate $350,000 – $425,000)
- – Longtime California car
- – First in class at Pebble Beach
- – Two-time 100-point car with a Senior Premier award in CCCA judging
1936 Packard Twelve 1408 All-Weather Town Car by LeBaron
(Estimate $250,000 – $350,000)
- – One of only three examples known to exist
- – First in class at Pebble Beach, Amelia Island and Meadow Brook
- – 100-point car with a Senior Premier award in CCCA judging
Gooding & Company will be conducting its annual Scottsdale Auctions on January 20 and 21, beginning at 11 a.m. both days, at the Scottsdale Fashion Square at 68th Street and East Camelback Road. Guests may preview the cars on Thursday and Friday, January 19 and 20, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, January 21 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. An auction catalogue for $80 admits two to the viewing and auction. General admission to the viewing and auction can be purchased at the tent for $30 per person. Bidder registration forms, press credentials and additional auction information are available at www.goodingco.com or by calling (310) 899-1960. Auctions are broadcast live at www.goodingco.com/auction.
About Gooding & Company:
Gooding & Company, internationally celebrated for its world-class automotive auctions, provides unparalleled service in the collector car market, offering a wide range of services including private and estate sales, appraisals and collection management. Preceding each auction, a complete catalogue is made available online at www.goodingco.com and a virtual auction guide is published via Gooding & Company’s IAC award-winning iPhone and iPad app. Gooding & Company will conduct its annual Amelia Island Auction on March 9, 2012. For additional vehicle information and up-to-the-minute results, follow Gooding & Company on Facebook and Twitter @GoodingCompany.