Re: 48 Packard question

Posted by Peter Hartmann On 2008/10/15 10:41:13

It appears the car in the photograph has been "dead" for many many years.

To advise this fellow competently, we would need rough estimates as to what it would cost Just for the parts and specialized services - not "labor"; some of you guys call that a "labor of love") to make this Packard serviceable.

Then compare the cost of bringing back a "dead" Packard, compared to the cost of simply buying one that has been maintained properly in serviceable condition.

My "hunch" is you could buy at least ONE, possibly TWO similar Packards in serviceable condition for what it would cost to revive the thing in the photograph. Chances are you could buy a "bath-tub" CUSTOM (the one with the "big" engine that is such a spectacular performer) for MUCH less than that dead thing would cost, brought back to decent condition.

For example, a cost of a respectable "factory type" full re-upholstery of a "junior motor" powered Packard, coupled with re-chroming and an engine overhaul, could be as much or more than buying a nice well maintained Custom.

But again, hard to give advice to someone who has their own priorities. My recommendation, if you just like to fix things for the fun of fixing them (as distinguished from the REAL joy of experiencing driving a Packard automobile) is DONT BUY THE PACKARD.

The logic is simple - if your primary motivation is you just like to fix things, get a later model Ford, Chevrolet, or Plymouth, for which parts are readily avail. , both from auto parts stores, and, in the case of sheet metal, in junk yards. Some of you mention "the journey, not the destination" as the value in fixing old cars. That's fine. That is, again, IF you do NOT know what the alternative is = driving a Packard !

This a matter of personal desires. The big problem here is that a lot of people who THINK they will get satisfaction just out of fixing things, have no experience with actually DRIVING a properly maintained Packard. Those of you who do own and operate PROPERLY MAINTAINED Packards know EXACTLY what I am talking about.

What I am talking about, is the fact that there is a REASON why Packard became a legend. Its products really were that marvelous.

Out of economic necessity I have always worked on my own vehicles. Cars, trucks, boats, airplanes. In the case of my own Packard - didn't have the money to take my own advice! Had to over-haul my Twelve when I bought it -(bad rings!) 30 years later had to over-haul it again (drove the #$$#!* out of it; all cars need servicing eventually !)

So I know about the satisfaction of doing a repair right. It is satisfying whether I am working on my Ford, my Toyota, or the Chevrolet motor in my boat, or the Lycoming in my airplane.

But I say again - THERE IS NOTHING -NOTHING LIKE THE SATISFACTION OF DRIVING A PACKARD ! THAT is what generated the Packard legend. It is REAL !

So for that reason, coming from one who knows, THAT is why I suggest you buy a serviceable Packard ! They are WORTH IT !