Vehicle No. 222887
Chassis No. 223084
Engine No. 223277C

This Packard 343 began its journey at the Detroit plant, assembled as a bare chassis, equipped with a 384 cu-in L-head eight-cylinder engine mated with a three-speed manual transmission. Subsequently shipped to the renowned Walter M. Murphy Company, it received this distinctive “Clear Vision” convertible sedan body, designed by W. Everett Miller, which is noted for its distinctively slim pillars which inspired the Clear Vision name.

It is believed that only three of these bodies were produced for the Packard 343 chassis, with this being the only known surviving example. The elegant coachwork includes numerous exquisite details, such as solid rosewood running boards with open step gates, discreet door handles that blend seamlessly into the design, a full windshield for rear passengers, and a radiator stone guard. The Murphy-built trunk complements the car's lines, particularly when paired with the optional dual rear-mounted spare tires, enhancing its already stunning long and narrow silhouette.

The Packard was delivered to Carl Henderson's Packard City in Santa Monica, California, on 16 April 1927 and quickly purchased by its first owner, the Fairbank family, who were prominent in Canada's rail and petroleum industries, for an impressive $9,200. The car remained with the Fairbank family in California for many years until it caught the attention of legendary Ferrari racing driver and the first American Formula One World Champion, Phil Hill in the mid-1960s. Hill, a passionate collector and skilled mechanic, was a prominent fixture in the California car collecting scene, having won three of the early Pebble Beach Road Races, and restoring the first collector car to win Best of Show at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in 1955. After retiring from racing in 1967 to his hometown of Santa Monica, Hill and his business partner Ken Vaughn founded Hill and Vaughn, one of the first ground-up restoration shops in the nation. Hill, also a lifelong enthusiast of Packard motorcars sparked by his aunt's ownership of a 1918 Packard Twin-Six Fleetwood Town Car, immediately recognized the extraordinary qualities of the Murphy Convertible Sedan and purchased it from Robert Fairbank, the son of the original owner, in Windsor, Ontario.

The Packard's restoration was initiated shortly thereafter, though company work schedules indicate that the work began in earnest in the mid-1970s, with Hill, Vaughn, and their first employee Bob Mosier executing the majority of the work. As it was Hill's personal car, he took great care to ensure the highest quality and attention to detail, including careful consideration of the car's color scheme which was inspired by a seventh-series Packard in William Harrah's Collection known as the “Lilac Car.” The factory purple and lavender color scheme was complemented by a tan Haartz top and distinctive original features like its Parabeam drum headlights and innovative steering-linked Pilot-Ray drum driving light. The interior was meticulously restored with correct dark tan upholstery and featured exquisite hammer-nickel-silver hardware throughout. Hill also focused on the drivetrain, ensuring the car ran smoothly by installing the correct high-compression Ricardo cylinder head, a high-performance camshaft, and a correct Delco electrical system.

After its restoration, the Packard debuted at the 1977 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, winning the coveted Best of Show award a remarkable 22 years after Hill earned his first Best of Show trophy—no small feat considering the growth in prestige of the Concours since the 1950s. Its restoration quality was further validated at CCCA events, where it emerged as a Grand Classic winner in both 1977 and 1978, achieving a perfect score of 100 points on each occasion. The car was then featured on the cover of the July 1979 issue of Old Car Illustrated. The Packard's competition success attracted increasingly significant restoration projects to the firm and quickly cemented Hill and Vaughn as the world's leading restoration shop in its day.

For over four decades, this exceptional Packard was cherished in Phil Hill's Santa Monica garage, residing less than a mile from where it was first delivered in 1927. Within his collection, the Packard shared hallowed quarters with other significant automobiles, including his aunt's 1918 Packard that first kindled his passion for the marque, the 1931 Pierce-Arrow that earned Best of Show in 1955, and the Brunn-bodied Packard that carried his children home from the hospital. Hill's lifelong reputation as a world-class restorer, connoisseur, and genuine hobbyist elevates this Packard beyond being merely a restored classic—it embodies the vision and standards of one of the foremost figures in the collector car hobby.

In 2009, the Packard transitioned to the Academy of Art University Collection, where its exceptional preservation has continued. The car's appearance at the 2021 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance demonstrated its enduring significance and the lasting quality of Hill's restoration work. As this remarkable automobile awaits its fourth owner since 1927, it offers not only an opportunity to own Pebble Beach-winning restoration, but also the legacy of Phil Hill's remarkable dedication to automotive collecting and preservation.