Re: Growing up with Packard

Posted by todd landis On 2008/8/5 23:34:52

Packfan 12 give me your name and I can pass it on to Roger.
Roger sold his 37 12 in 1957 to Mike McMannus of Atlantic Auto Parts. A parts salvage lot. He then sold it to J.B. Nethercutt. Nethercutt parted it out for another 37 12 club sedan. This 37 is still in the collection to this day.

I now remember Charlie telling how he was the young dump kid, and all the senior Packard mechanics would pass all of the 12 jobs onto him. He said he did not know any better.

So now, onto a couple of stories while Roger is with Noll Auto Co.
Some of you may know the Wrigley's owned much property in the Los Angeles area. One home was in Pasadena, you know the home now as the large mansion the Rose Parade uses, with the Queens and committee members stand in front of for the cameras. They used to have a 39 12 sedan, and for service the cheuffeur would regularly bring it to Noll for service. Roger would occasionally talk with the driver. One day he told Roger that the car was being sold, and in its place the Wrigleys were purchasing a Pontiac Station Wagon. To this day at least once a year Roger will tell me, yikes! one of the wealthiest families and they go to of all things a Pontiac from a Packard 12!
Another story is the grandsons of Sir William Baden-Powell (hope this is spelled correctly)founder of the Boy Scouts owned two 1948 Limos. For a long period of time one car would come all beat up. The dealership would paint, clean, tune up, body work, etc. Out it would go then the other one would come in all beat up. This went on for sometime. Roger finally asked what is happening. He was told that the family owned a ranch in Montana, and the cars would go up there and then be used on the trails and dirt roads. The family loved the cars and always wanted one to drive. So they had to alternate the cars being serviced.

While working at these dealerships Roger purchased several Packards either through his contacts with customers or outside.
He purchased a 1940 Formal Super Eight for 300.00
1940 Darrin convertible for 750.00
1940 Bohman & Schwartz Super Eight Sedan. Yes this is the one when you open the doors the running board comes out from underneath the car, and has factory a/c
1936 120 Convertible sedan for 200.00
1939 12 Limo from Anna Morris, of Fairbanks-Morris Scales. Roger still has this Limo. Trust me, this car is to die for. Mint, mint, mint original. Even with call buzzer for the driver.

In 1963 Roger went to work for Pacific Piano for two years and learned his trade as service technician for both Ampico and Duo-Art reproducing pianos. Then he spent time with his own company working on the pianos.

In 1965 his friend Harold Crosby asked him to join the Nethercutt Collection as curator. A couple of years later he went into the electrical department. And has been there ever since.

Also over the years he has become one of the foremost collectors and restorers of Capeharts.

I will pause here then come back to finish, so that I don't get kicked out again.