Re: Which one to buy: 110 Six or 120 Eight?

Posted by Ross On 2011/6/12 6:30:17

When Carl Altz, who worked at the proving ground was asked a few years ago, "What was your favorite car to drive?" he shocked the crowd by saying the '39 Six. Now this was a man who had piloted everything that Packard had to offer.

Mal noted the 25% premium for a 120. If my car was to be used mostly in town the six would be hands down winner as they are much lighter on their feet and were geared to be effortlessly suitable for town use. A customer has a low mileage 38 Six which is absolutely delightful on the twisty slow roads around here. For long distance the 120 would be the best bet, but with overdrive please. My observation of cars that come through here is that a fairly small percentage of junior cars got that option. In the bathtub era, the percentage went way up.

The 160/180 cars are fabulously smooth and powerful, but especially with sidemounts don't hold a candle to the lighter cars when driven on indifferent roads.