Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

Hi Jim

Your description suggest the Patrician's condition isn't up to the asking price. The 288 ci engine should have been long since replace with a rebuilt nine-main 327 ci engine as original. If the owner tries to minimize the cost to do so being very cheap, ask why he has done so before now.

Wool broadcloth interiors as nice as they are, are very expensive to replace, nearly impossible to match if only limited sections are done. Dependent upon the extent of the sun damage, that replacement could become very expensive and it is a key part of the value of the car.

Ray Dietrich started a small custom coach-building operation in Grand Rapids, MI in 1949, closing in 1953. The company executed custom body work on all makes including Packard who contracted for a small number of Patrician Formal Sedans. Most of the work was installation of partition windows and formal padded tops on sedans. A very formal open-front compartment '53 Lincoln Capri Town Car was also built for Mrs. Edsel Ford, the last Dietrich town car.

Modifying coupes into convertibles was also done, mostly for manufacturers as prototypes. Two '51 Kaiser convertibles were built, one which is extant. The most ambitious project was the '50 Lincoln Cosmopolitan bubble-top convertible limousine used by Presidents Truman, Eisenhower and Kennedy. It's currently displayed at the Henry Ford Museum.

For what my opinion is worth, approach purchase of this '51 Dietrich Patrician carefully. If finding a Packard in good condition within our price range to drive and enjoy, though without the special provenance, check the Various CL Pickings thread frequently. Very worthwhile Contour Patricians and Cavaliers are offered for sale on a regular basis. A '53 Cavalier in New England was recently listed.

Good luck in your search and please keep us apprised of your progress.

Steve

Thanks, Steve. that is the kind of guidance I was looking for. Never having done either an interior or engine restoration, what sounded simple in the hands of my gearhead friends in engineering school 40 years ago is probably a major expense to me today.

And if the top end value is perhaps $20,000 for a restored 51 Patrician, it's just not going to work out economically if I ever decide to move to a 30's car.....

rust free 51 Packard with Dietrich modifications, one of three made, divider window, not too much work needed to make a nice driver, 15K is very reasonable, this is not your run of the mill sedan folks

...this is not your run of the mill sedan folks

Agreed! I'm aware of an exceptionally well-preserved and low mileage 51 Patrician that sold in the mid-$30s and that lacked the features and pedigree of the Dietrich.

If you're seriously thinking about this car, remember it has a later, smaller engine in it. Also the engine he has for rebuilding is from another car, the original engine was melted years ago.

Packards are NOT Corvettes or Jaguar E-Types where numbers matching is crucial for value determination. Just as long as you have in it a 1951 9 main bearing J6xx,xxx engine you are fine, this is NOT a hard engine to find

it has now returned at only $13,500, this is a great price!http://www.kijiji.ca/v-classic-cars/markham-york-region/packard-1951-dietrich-new-price/1040868792?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true