Crazy '37 115c Packard owner may need help

Posted by Ken_P On 2014/4/23 3:34:02

So, I have a Packarding problem. I'm the proud owner of a 1937 Packard 115c touring sedan that was the subject of much frenetic restoration work for about six months and, because of my line of work, has been languishing for almost the last 3 years while I've been stationed in Hawaii.

Those of you that remember my blog know that the car I have I bought sight unseen and it is a huge rust bucket. I've done much undercarriage work and zero body work. It also has a crack in the block that is a cold leaker and will need to be repaired somehow. Read more here (if you're interested):https://packardinfo.com/xoops/html/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=6550&start=150

I'm now older (and maybe slightly wiser), and I saw this Craigslist posting here on Packardinfo:http://westernmass.craigslist.org/cto/4430505475.html

So, here's what I'm thinking. For a little background, I'm anticipating orders to Saratoga Springs, NY in June.

Option A- buy the black car, clean it up, and do a minor restoration. Not a frame off. Leave my current Packard languishing in an Idaho barn in a mostly assembled, fully driveable condition. The other branch plan is that I haul my current Packard from Idaho and combine these two into one frame-off restored Packard and sell the leftovers. Not too crazy about that plan, because I don't want to take a survivor and disassemble it just to use the frame and undercarriage I've already worked on.

Option B- buy the unseen $1200 Packard and use the body parts and hopefully uncracked block to restore the Packard I already have many man hours (and some love) invested into. I think this idea has more traction with my wife, too, which is important!

Here's the problem. I'm stationed in Hawaii until June, with no chance for leave. I've sold stuff on Craigslist, so I know if someone called me from the opposite side of the country and said, "I'll buy it, but I can't pick it up until early to mid July," I'd say no way. Also, having bought one Packard sight unseen and been disappointed, I don't really want to repeat the same mistake.

So my conundrum- does anyone know someone near Western Mass who is knowledgeable about Packards and auto body quality and has the means to store a Packard for 2-3 months? Or any other ideas? I'm most interested in Option B above, if the $1200 car has good front fenders and an uncracked block. All of the under carriage on my car is good, and I have good running boards, rear fenders, and doors, but the body is really bad.

Any thoughts? Great ideas? Obviously, if I can find a saint to store a Packard for a few months, I can compensate. Thanks for your Idahos (Flackmaster, want to buy both and re-sell the cheap one to me?)