Wise words, all, and a good conversation that strikes at the very core of the hobby. 'Where do these cars end up, and who will tend them'??? Luckily, there will ALWAYS be folks out there who care about history and it's preservation, but as time marches on, that group will become smaller and that-preserved, more select. That's life. It's like there are still artisans out there who know how to build wooden sailing ships, but it has become a very rare pursuit. I laud MJG's young-age commitment to the era; I know my interest in pre-war Packards has been since I was a teenager, just never had the time or money to actually own one. Also, Brian's words resonate with me when you look at this as either an investment or a 'drive your money's worth' out of the car. I definitely get a lot of enjoyment out of the 'driving' part and clearly fall into the latter category. As far as the ongoing preservation of our beloved Packards goes, 'how many and how long' is a good question. I suspect the ominous future of this world-wide pandemic will ultimately play a part and it certainly isn't/won't be a seller's market, but it might be a great time to buy in for a lot of folks who wanted to, might even do the hobby some good. Who knows?!?!? Chris.

Thanks Ernie, I DO look at Hemmings quite regularly, probably focus more on the pre-war stuff as that is my core area of interest. I also agree with Don, and like I said in my previous post, the disparity between list and sell can be stark. Also, I watch the online auction action and always check out Barrett Jackson when it's televised. Auctions seem to go either way with some cars going for obviously more-than-market value, while others, one couldn't cover the cost of the paint job for what they hammer at. I know condition is ALMOST everything, along with make, collectability and pedigree, but the 'from-to' on some of these cars is quite remarkable. My initial question on the '50 Packard wasn't really about what those cars are worth as it was about how much THAT one is worth. I realize there is no exact answer and it is somewhat subjective, thus my query here, to seasoned pros who have been around the hobby for many years. Chris.

Hey, thanks Tim, John, Steve & John... appreciate your input. I am no financier but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to know this current situation we're all dealing with, WILL have a devastating financial impact. And, in my opinion, for years to come. I was querying 'real value' on that '50, not because I thought THIS particular time would yield a 'down and dirty' crash net on the car, but more wanting to know what you guys thought it was realistically worth in the fair, open market. I am very inexperienced in antique and classic cars and this '39 I have is my first-ever collector car. (not even sure if that is the right name for it! I got clipped for calling it a classic car by somebody, I suppose its an antique!?) I constantly look at the 'for sale' stuff online and know there is a significant disparity in most cases between asking and actual sell-price; sometimes a GREAT disparity if the owner is just fishing or has an over-inflated perception of the value of HIS vehicle. That '50 is a nice enough looking car and I would expect to see it listed at $5-$6K if it were just in the for-sale section, with the guy taking somewhere between $3&$4K if the buyer knew what he was doing and waved cold cash. When you say $1-$2 Steve, that surprises me. Then given the 'here & now' with global recession and all the uncertainty, I imagine it WILL sell very low, and that is too bad for the seller/good for the buyer; but, as they say, 'timing is everything'. Not sure what we should all be buying or selling right now; I know myself, I'm just kind of in lock-down mode and not making ANY moves at this time, rather taking a 'wait and see' approach. Crazy times, that's for sure! Chris.

So Steve, back to that '50 Super 8, what IS a realistic price for that car in THAT condition??? Chris.

VERY nice car, guys!! Don, I might even forgive you for liking those 'grinning gargoyles'!!! LOL Chris.

Hey Big Kev,

Thanks for the update. Daffodils and an Easter egg hunt.... pleasant musings. Chris.

So, realistically, what is this car worth? $5-$6K, $8-$9K??? It appears to be pretty complete and in decent shape, but definitely needing body & paint and probably a motor rebuild, plus all the little, minor stuff to bring it up to any kind of decent driver standard. Chris

Hi Ken,
I too, have fought with trying to see the timing marks and not get a haircut from the fan! My solution: a probe camera. Reasonably priced and 'noninvasive' in as much as you don't have to change anything on the car. Just, as Tim says, make sure your timing marks are clear, clean and visible and aim the probe at the hole. It can be done by one's self as I have done it, but it is definitely a whole lot easier if you have somebody holding and aiming the camera while you shoot the timing light and adjust the distributor. And John (JW), I know you have posted that photo of the adjusting nut extension on the distributor before, but that is a superlative idea. I meant to do that to mine after seeing it the first time; (with your permission!LOL) now I'm GOING to do it!! Thanks. Chris.

Don, the CL poster needs thicker skin. It's like that magazine that I bought from you that had the article basically blaming the pre-war Sixes for Packard's demise. It's an OPINION and this is a site where opinions are exchanged. There have been drop-dead, gorgeous cars designed and manufactured over the years, that have stood the test of time, and others that STAND OUT as lesser-thans in form and lines. That's a fact. And while the public's reception and perception of those cars is somewhat subjective, history is the final arbiter, and a car that is not of classic lines, etc., will show in how collectible it ends up being. I thought that picture that Steve posted kind of said it all! Chris.

Thanks for the replies, Steve & Don. As always. beauty is in the eye of the beholder and, while some people may like a certain style of vehicle, others may find it hideous. And SOME vehicles may not make good 'first impressions' and then later 'grow' on us after we have looked at them for a while. I DO get that. PERSONALLY, I absolutely love traditional Packard styling, am partial to the pre-war stuff, (obviously, that is what I sought & bought) but as soon as I evaluate the Studebaker-influenced Packards, they just come off as garish and gaudy to me. And yet there are a couple of real Studebakers that I DO like, I think it was the mid-fifties Avanti and the Hawk Presidente, I believe it was called, were nice enough looking cars for the time. I guess what puts me off about those last Packards as they seem like 'fake Packards' and the fins and bulbous headlight stylings look 'inserted'. Maybe if I try and view them more in context with the time-frame they were being marketed, they would seem less ugly to me, but as it is, just looking at them now, they seem a 'genetic' mess. Just my opinion I realize and know others will flatly disagree with me. Just sayin'. Chris.