Found abandoned in a horse barn in Montecatini, Italy, this elegant 1937 Packard Export
model 12-cylinder convertible once served as a “starter’s” car at one of the world’s fastest harness racing tracks!
Originally ordered by Marc Droulers, former owner of the Grand Hotel Villa d’Este in Cernobbio, Italy, overlooking Lake Como, this ’37 Packard Twelve was delivered in January 1938 to Packard dealer, Ditta Bandera Franco, in Milan. Jean-Marc Droulers (Marc Droulers’ son) is currently the President/CEO of Villa d’Este. Since 1929, it has been the home of the prestigious Concorso d’Eleganza which each year attracts the world’s finest classic vehicles.
After the War, the powerful Packard was sold to Societa Trenno, S.r.l., owners of the Sesana harness racing track in Montecatini for use as a starter’s car. The tony Tuscan town is best known for its Montecatini Terme Spa.
Finished in Richmond Gray Metallic, the magnificent 12-cylinder Model 1507 convertible coupe ended up spending decades languishing in a horse barn at Sesana. Rescued by Edo Anseloni in the early-1980s, it was found with its original matching number 473-cubic-inch V-12 and chassis. For service at the harness races (late-1940s, early-1950s), the Packard’s rumble seat had been removed and the cavity filled with a huge electric motor powering the folding gates used to keep the horses lined up. After years of seasonal use, the Packard was parked in one of the old horse barns.
After towing it home behind his Citroen, Edo Anseloni cleaned the V-12’s carburetor and
distributor, changed spark plus, drained and refilled the gas tank and
added a new battery.
“I just cranked it a couple of times and it fired right up and ran like a new car,” says Anseloni, who was at Pebble Beach in 2007 when his barn-find Packard took a trophy in Prewar American Classic, Open Class. He also participated in the Pebble Beach Tour.
He stored the Packard at Museo-Memoriale della Liberta in Bologna until 2002. He then sold it to his friend, vintage American car collector and current owner, Nicola Bulgari.
“Sig. Anseloni, like myself, cannot bear to see a classic American treasure like this majestic Packard, abandoned,” says vintage car collector, Bulgari.
“Beyond its stately elegance and outstanding craftsmanship, there’s a powerful V-12 engine and an independent front suspension chassis which make the Packard a joy to both look at and drive. It still has its original Marchal headlamps and Italian license plate.”
Edo Anseloni lives in Bologna where he built and runs Museo-Memoriale della Liberta, that showcases 50 U.S. military vehicles, including a fully functional Sherman tank that he often drives! The interactive Museum chronicles and celebrates the liberation of Bologna by the U.S. Army 10th Mountain Division.
Shortly after purchasing the rare ’37 Packard Twelve, Bulgari shipped it to Keith Flickinger at Precision Motor Cars, Allentown, PA where it went through a multi-year body-off restoration. After being shown at a few major concours, it was shipped back home to Italy. Like all cars in Nicola Bulgari’s collection in Rome, this stunning Packard is exercised often, driven to special events
and never trailered!
For more information about Museo-Memoriale della Liberta:
http://www.museomemoriale.com/
For more information about the Villa d’Este Concours:
http://www.concorsodeleganzavilladeste.com/