Packard Museum announces donation of rare ‘37 Packard now on display

Staff report

WARREN

The National Packard Museum has acquired and is displaying a rare 1937 Packard 12 Coupe Roadster, the gift of the late Edward Lozick of Cleveland, a longtime museum member and benefactor.

It is an exemplary illustration of the luxurious design, styling, engineering and elegance of the Packard automobile, Mary Ann Porinchak, museum executive director, said in a news release.

It is one of 70 Model 1507 Coupe Roadsters the Packard Motor Car Co. of Detroit produced in 1937, and it was delivered new on March 8, 1937, to its original owner in Montreal, Canada, for $3,450, Porinchak said. It is one of no more than 20 known to have survived.

Lozick acquired it in 1994 and spared no expense in restoring it to its original condition, Porinchak said. It is on exhibit in the museum’s Great Hall. The earliest Packards were made at a factory on Dana Street Northeast in Warren.

“Ed rejected several offers for the car, always stating as his reason that he wanted his car to be exhibited at the museum in Warren for everyone to admire,” Porinchak said. “Ed’s ’37 is simply a stunningly gorgeous Packard convertible, the epitome of the classic era,” she added.

Lozick, along with his wife, Catherine, has supported the museum for many years. In 2009, he underwrote the costs of presenting “Opus II: The 1937 Showroom,” one of the most prestigious Packard events since the Packard Centennial Celebration in 1999, Porinchak said.

In 2010, he and Catherine awarded the museum with a $100,000 challenge grant payable over three years. And in 2013, they renewed their challenge with a $50,000 two-year grant.

The museum is at 1899 Mahoning Ave. NW. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 5 p.m., Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., closed Mondays. Admission is $8 for adults, $5 for seniors 65 and older, and children 7 to 12 and free for kids under age 7.