Re: 1939 Rollson Packard 1701

Posted by Tim Cole On 2010/12/25 13:35:42

If you've ever battled traffic in New York City the short wheelbase car will be understood. If you have ever driven a town car the needlessness of the larger motor will be understood as well because above 30 mph the buffeting in the driver's compartment requires the canopy be in place.

These cars usually had very low gearing and so the Eight was more than sufficient and could be pretty much left in third gear once under way.

Doris Duke had a Derham Town Car on the Cadillac 60 Series chassis garaged in NYC. I also recall a very low mileage 36 Eight town car from NYC with 6,800 miles on it. It was a beautiful driving car with a top speed of about 55 mph and was stored in a heated garage. It was cut up to make a hot rod by someone who thought I was a real dummy.