So I think after 20 years of fawning over Packards, and especially 55's & 56's (though I do love all Packards) I am about to get mine.

Put a deposit down on this beauty (in the PDF attached) on the 23rd. Going with a friend (who is a collector) on the 26th to inspect the vehicle just to be sure it is everything it appears to be. I'm just lucky it happens to be in my own backyard!

I don't have an image of the data plate yet, but once I do I will enter it into the registry. I've been reading for forum (for nearly a decade) and I know of only one major "to do" once I get the car: replace the BTV. I understand there are two schools of thought replace vs. rebuild. I want to remain as stock as possible BUT remaining stock doesn't take priority of driving enjoyment & safety. It's gonna be a test of my abilities as it will probably the most complex mechanical undertaking I have ever attempted - but I enjoy learning how to do this and get a lot of satisfaction of being able to say I did it myself.

With that in mind are there any other immediate things I should be doing with this Packard? Anything I should specifically look for during my inspection?

I'm already going in with the mindset to be sure the Ultramatic & TorsionLevel are operation properly and that the oil pump will probably have to be converted as well.

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Wow, the one in OK looks great. I'm probably gonna hold off for a bit, we were just informed at work we are being "reorganized" and we all know what that can mean..

I think it's no surprise that I'm gonna pass on this one. Oh well. It's a shame too, I'll never understand why someone would do all that work to a car and then not take care of it.

Onward to the next thing!

Pictures I took of areas of concern

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Well I'm back from driving it. I will post some pix when I figure that out. Guess I can't do it from my phone.

Seems like a reasonable man. He asked 5k for it. I personally don't value it that high. He has already turned down 3500. I am thinking about it.

I was concerned the way he drove the ultramatic. Starting in low and shifting up to high, exactly what you aren't supposed to do! He also called it a four speed and said it didn't work unless you manually up shifted. Well, knowing it's a torque converter and lockup automatic, low and behold, when I drove it only in high it was fine. Though going up a hill he reached over and downshifted it for me. I cringed each time. I think thats going to need some looking over to assess what damage has been done.

There's an oil leak and some rust, particularly where the fender skirts connected.

It's absolutely plane Jane, and I do like it. But not at that price.

I should also say it was the first time I was behind the wheel of a Packard and I was really surprised at the ease of driving it.

Thanks for the input, I got my magnets to search out bondo. I'll look carefully at the floors. I agree it's not worth much more than 3-4k in my opinion.

Didn't realize the accelerator starter was a PITA. I'm happy to look at the car with an overly critical eye and present what I think is a fair price, if I'm still interested after looking at it.

Should be seeing it this afternoon, so updates to follow!

Well, on Hemmings it is listed as "inquire for price" on the phone he mentioned he's trying to liquidate, knowing he'll have to let it go below market value and that I should make him an offer after I look at it. After my digging around I found it listed on another site with a price of $14,000.

Now granted I don't own any Packards, but I know enough about the company and the car to know that price is nowhere within the realm of reasonability. The 200's were produced in (relatively) high numbers and are (relatively) unloved when compared to the rest of the lineup.

Thanks. I did a little digging on the seller and found the car listed elsewhere on a very hard to find personal website with (what I believe is) a very high price. That's their prerogative, but feels a purposefully evasive. But I shouldn't judge until I meet them.

Hi All -

Sorry if this has been asked & answered previously, but I wasn't able to find anything on the forums, which I've been searching for a week.

I have an opportunity to purchase a 1952 200 DeLuxe with Ultramatic. This would be my first Packard, I've been lusting after post-war Packards for 18 years.

http://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/cars-for-sale/packard/200/1835249.html

Seller is local, very friendly and I am going to see the car in person tomorrow. I don't know what I don't know, what is there that I should look out for? I'm not looking to get a car that's going to give me investment returns, that's not how I look at the car hobby for me. I just want something that can act as an entry point to Packard, that I can work on, drive and enjoy.

Thanks for your help!