Re: Gosford Motor Museum Closure - Packards for Auction

Posted by Tim Cole On 2019/4/7 14:42:53

Years ago I fixed up a Twin Six that had what sounded like a $30,000 engine noise for a $25 part. It had an engine by E.C. Last. After fixing the power brakes, sorting out the front bumper, and setting the timing correctly the car ran and drove very well. It was on the market for $275,000. Everybody said it was a fake and knocked it down, but the VIN matched the car and it had a prototype dash panel indicating it was a very early production number. It sold for near the asking price and proceeded to bounce around the dealer auction circus with all sorts of screw ball sales verbiage indicative of today's craziness. The last time I saw it one of these experts drilled a hole in the prototype instrument plate and put a button there destroying the part forever. I contacted the place and inquired why anyone would do such a thing and it was clear they didn't know anything about cars.

I think that sums up the situation very well. The economic landscape today is loaded with examples of money gravtitating to places that makes no sense. Here in Michigan plants are closing down right and left because the economy can't support enough car sales. Yet the old car circus keeps roaring ahead as if it was 1928. I see this and that TV personality talking about these cars with a self proclaimed authority that is right out of Herman Melville's worst nightmares. I guess in the end they are going to take all of these relics with them. However, I can think of a lot of better ways to have fun with $250,000 than buying some car that nobody understands other than talking about how much it will sell for at auction.