Re: I'm new, and looking for advice on a purchase

Posted by David Grubbs On 2014/9/28 20:55:21

I have a 51 200 at present, and have had at least one Packard most of my life. When I was in high school, back in 1963, I had a 53 300. The Packards are nice cars, and are lots of fun. I drove my 53 in high school because it wasn't a Ford or Chevy, and I wanted to be different so I can understand your feelings

Having said that, Chevy's and Fords are much easier to get parts for, and have . a larger support base. Putting a small block Chevy in the Packard is painful to your wallet. I looked into it a few years ago with my 51 - I got estimates from $5000 to $8000. I don't know what your financial situation is, but if you can find a running car you are almost always ahead of buying a cheap car and trying to fix it up. I don't know many people who were able to find a non running car, especially one that has sat for 30 years, be able to get it running reliably for much under $2000. Engines that have sat for many years, especially in humid climates, tend to rust internally, freezing things together. And like another poster suggested, rust and rot in the body and worse yet in the frame are highly likely.

I would recommend watching this website for a better car. We need more and younger Packard enthusiasts around, and this car would probably ruin your opinion of Packards.

Someone have a decent running car close to Baton Rouge they would sell this young man???