Peter, Catharine Whyte’s 1930 Packard donated to Reynolds Museum

An undated photo of the 1931 Cadillac Model 370A that was previously owned by Peter and Catharine Whyte and donated to Alberta's Reynolds Museum. (Sourcde: Government of Alberta)

Two rare pre-war luxury vehicles, one of which was previously owned by Alberta artists Peter and Catharine Whyte, will soon be on display at Wetaskiwin’s Reynolds Museum.

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The 1930 Packard Standard Eight Phaeton and the 1931 Cadillac Model 370A were recently donated to the museum, which boasts a collection of 5,000 artefacts related to agricultural, aviation, industrial and transportation machines.

The Packard “exemplifies the refinement and craftsmanship of one of America’s premier luxury automakers at the dawn of the Great Depression,” while the Cadillac – the only known Canadian-built V12 roadster in existence today – is “a testament to Cadillac’s engineering prowess and to Canada’s brief yet distinguished role in crafting pre-war luxury automobiles,” the Alberta government said in a news release on Thursday.

They are expected to go on display in the spring.

“The Reynolds Museum keeps working to expand and improve its vast collections through the generous donations of private individuals like the Holker family. The items we accept all have historical significance to Alberta and Canada and will be preserved for generations to come,” said museum director Noel Ratch.

Both Peter and Catharine were painters, although neither experienced much commercial success during their lifetime. Instead, they are remembered as community builders in Banff, where Peter was born; for their relationship with the Stoney Nakoda Nation; and their collection of artifacts, manuscripts and other items of historical significance. Catharine completed their joint work to establish a museum, library and archives by opening the Banff Public Library’s Archives of the Canadian Rockies and the Peter Whyte Gallery in 1968.

According to the provincial government, Catharine used the Packard as a wedding car. Her family in Concord, Mass., bought it new in 1930. Catharine and Peter also took it on their honeymoon through the Great Lakes and later to Banff.

Less is known about the Cadillac before it was acquired by Brian Holker. It was originally purchased by a Montreal socialite and restored to its original configuration and mechanical authenticity in the 1980s.