Re: I was offered to buy a 1948 Packard and have some questions

Posted by su8overdrive On 2021/12/18 22:10:00

If a dealer is "handling" this, that means it was not an easy sell, that the present owner doesn't have the usual notes slipped under his windshield wiper "If interested in selling, please contact me," etc.

The dealer expects to make a profit. So whatever you pay is a premium for, as others have told you, not a remarkable or especially desirable model.

Do not buy a car that someone assures you "was running."

No, no, no.

My and others' opines of the bathtub Packards aside, if such cars sing to you with their corpulent siren, hold out for a solid, no stories, no excuses,

r u n n i n g

example.

Most of the market for stock, unrodded, unbutchered pre-1950 cars is gone, fading, in nursing homes, retirement communities, or with their ancestors.

For the few relatively young folk preferring unadulterated old automobiles over egregious mid-sized/compact '60s tin with station wagon engines, trucky rear axle ratios, dopey decals,

there's a glut of well-fettled, cosmetically nice old automobiles.

Bide your time, listen to the savvy gentlemen here gathered. Read, visit owners, discuss, question; if possible drive various models. This site is an ongoing fount of lifelong experience generously shared by genuine buffs, not "dealers."

The above blokes and others are here for you, to help.

Make Murphy your wingman.


It is always easier to buy than to divest.

If you're buying a well-sorted old convertible, be it production Packard or Darrin, Ford, Cad, Buick, Delahaye; anything, there's interest.
Closed-only models, even Packard Clippers, Cadillac 60S Fleetwoods, Lincoln Continental club coupes, are flat.

Are you looking at this car simply as you can afford it, but it's not what you really want?

All the more reason to walk away.
Buy only what you really want, the best example you can find, and bank on it having needs regardless.

Beware of "bargains." It's been nearly half a century since fiscal mortals could afford to redo a car mechanically, cosmetically, and within. Renovating such a car as you're considering costs as much as restoring a Cord, Delage, Bentley, Jaguar or anything else, other than some parts costing less.

Other than build quality and thorough engineering, there's nothing exotic about any Packard.

Beware of car flippers, which this "dealer" is, and a low-rent one at that, else why would he involve himself at this end of the scale?

Buy only what sings to you while remaining hardnosed.

Avoid rave reviews of such and such a car online or by misery-loves-company owners trying to feather their nests; looking for the greater fool. Long ago owned a 48,414-mile, sound SoCal '51 200, which Uncle Tom McCahill preferred over the 400.
It had its merits, if build quality not up to Hudson Hornet's or Oldmobile's.
Not that this should stop you from buying Packard's iteration of the '49 shoebox Ford, or the earlier "Rasberry Jello molds," as Consumer Reports dismissed what you're considering, while giving the junior eight their Best Buy rating every year 1938-47.

Hold out and you'll long remember this Christmas and New Year with affection, not a sigh and slumped shoulders.