La Jolla Concours features rare 1934 Packard speedster

LA JOLLA, Calif. _  General Lyon's 1934 Packard Runabout Speedster will be on display for one day only at the La Jolla Concours d'Elegance on Sunday, April 9. The Packard was delivered new in Washington, D.C., and little is known about the first owner, a man named Mr. E. Specth. When new, the car was finished in black, with black leather. The car remained with Specth until it was purchased by George Hormel, founder of the George Hormel Foods in Austin, Minn. — best known for the 1937 introduction of the ham product Spam. Hormel kept the car until his death in 1946, when it was passed down to his son Jay, and later to his grandson George A Hormel II in 1954. The car was eventually sold to noted collector Jack Nethercutt, who kept the car for 15 years before selling it to Bill Harrah in the 1970s.

In September of 1985, Gen. William Lyons procured the automobile and commissioned restorer Richard Martin to conduct a comprehensive restoration, changing the color to the shade of blue it wears today.

For information, visit LaJollaConcours.com or call 619-233-5008.