Re: 1930 model 726 barn find

Posted by 28Pack526 On 2015/3/31 10:10:17

Hi viking, If you haven't been already, keep an eye on Hemmings, Auto Trader Classics, PrewarCar, and the AACA classifieds. I only turned up a couple 726s for sale without pricing information, but those are common places to find valuation information.

As far as keeping realistic expectations, do keep in mind that, even in impeccable, documented condition, your girlfriend's 726 may have a price ceiling lower than you're hoping. It's an example of Packard's smallest (126" wheel base) production car (vs. a more valuable custom bodied car) for model year 1930. It also sounds like it's a sedan (if the top goes down, the value goes up). I can tell you all of this without sounding condescending because I own a 526 sedan ;) At least in your case you have a rarer car with an 8 instead of a 6!

I think you'll find that, regardless of what any publication or forum post may suggest, any such car is only worth what someone is willing to pay you for it, which may increase the longer you're willing to wait for the right buyer to turn up. Any valuation will be heavily dependent on condition, and even the suggested 5% incompleteness mentioned can end up costing a potential restorer many, many thousands of dollars tracking down and reconditioning the correct parts. Not to mention, of course, the hundreds of hours and many thousands of dollars the other 95% of the car is going to require in restoration.

Personally, I don't think the production cars get their due in the community, and I love the aesthetic of sedans, so I hope yours finds a loving home and sees the road once more. Too often though, given the cost / value proposition of a proper restoration, these cars remain as-is, or get really regrettable restorations (I can tell you all about a terribly "restored" 626 sedan I inspected last fall that didn't sell on eBay for $8K). The best case scenario for these cars is that someone elects to undertake a proper restoration as a labor of love, not based upon the profit potential.

That's probably not what you were hoping to hear given your intention to sell the car, so hopefully you can prove me wrong (these are, after all, just my observations). Good luck!