Seeking Advice for "New Owner Go Over Checklist" for 1939 120 1701 4 Door Sedan

Posted by RandyRebel On 2013/7/27 9:42:42

I am so fortunate to now be in the Packard Family with the exhilerating purchase of my FIRST PACKARD from an Auction in Wisconsin last Thursday, July 25, 2013. The 1939 Packard 120 4 Door Sedan was in the private collection of Delbert DeYoung. This car was lovingly restored and used for his son, Jim's wedding.

The car was started, driven onto my car trailer, and brought home here in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. I have downloaded the 1939 Owners Manual, and the 1938-1939 Shop Manual,(for which I am already so grateful to the PackardInfo.com site!), and now plan to begin a careful analysis of "going over the car, system by system, before putting any time on the road.

Upon inspection and when starting up the car at the USAuctioneers site, it was obvious that "old gas" was still in the tank. Later discussion with a very helpful person who was familiar with the car stated that it was a very careful and thorough restoration about 15-18 years ago and that the car had not been driven much if at all over the last 5 years.

He stated that to start it last week, he had to "lightly sandpaper the points" and then add a few squirts of fresh gas into the access hole on the top of the air cleaner and it started up.

We had to do squirt new gas into that access 4 times before the car started and stayed idling. It did run VERY smoothly!
I was told that it had been "gone over" and I would be very
happy with the performance of the car.

I noticed that there was a new wiring harness installed. I found a basic electrical layout "schematic" in the papers that came with the purchase.

One the day I won the auction, in trying to start the car, we found that the new 6volt battery that installed earlier that week, was dead. We think that the Auctioneers in their being busy with setup forgot to turn off the "Master Switch" installed on the floor. We installed a brand new Farm & Fleet Heavy Duty Tractor 6v battery and the car was started.

We did notice that the rear tail lights stayed lit no matter what switches or knobs we tried to control. The person who knew the car thought that some contacts may be sticking to "ground out" those lights. He speculated on the brake pedal switch or running lights wiring.

The car did have an aftermarket turn signal blinker switch installed on the steering column support. It does engage the front torpedo lamps on the front fenders, and rear tail lights to blink normally. I think those torpedo lights were not originally intended for that purpose but seem to work well as indicators now.

So, I am hoping to find member enthusiasts who are familiar or own a 1938 or 1938 120 who may have already done this process of "clearing a new purchase" to make sure fluids,electrical,engine, transmission,and safety issues are considered before assuming all is well and then doing any damage that could have been avoided with prudence.

I am SO VERY PLEASED, AND EXCITED, to be "Junior Member" of this very elite and awesome line of fine motorcars. I suspect in time I will come across many opportunities to appreciate, afford, and hopefully acquire even finer Packard's. It all starts with your "FIRST LOVE" and goes from there.

Thank You in advance for any help you can send my way to help me get my 1939 Packard Beauty on the road. Please feel free to contact me via Forum, or via my cell phone if you wish to speak directly to me.

I am hoping to very quickly become acquainted with the closest Packard Chapter in Wisconsin and look forward to my
first Packard Meet. Again, Thanks for all the advice and assistance you can share with my "New Kid on the Block" Packard Owner!

All my best,

Dr. Randy J. Prestash