Re: If you are under sixty, how did you get interested in Packards?

Posted by markinroseburg On 2012/10/29 21:31:37

51 years young here. I grew up in a relatively small town in Oregon. The big dealers in town were Chevrolet and Ford. The Chrysler dealer seemed to always be fledgling. We had a Studebaker-Packard dealership, but it was wiped out during a rather infamous blast in the middle of town in 1958. Dad (who is now 84) always had Chryslers. HIS dad always had Chryslers. My mother's dad always had Chryslers. So, I have always had Chryslers, plus many others. Dad always extolled the fact that Packards were special cars - not everyone could own one. The local transmission guy - a crusty cantankerous sort - had nothing good to say about Ultramatics "Them things is junk - stay away from them heaps" (He said the same thing about Dynaflows too, lol)

Of course, I was born after Packard died out, so to see one was a real treat. I have always wanted one, but could never settle on what year. I knew I couldn't afford a pre-war model. The 48-50 seemed the most plentiful around, but I wanted a special one. Really wanted a 55 400 hardtop. Been close over the years, but never took the plunge. Five years ago, I started looking in earnest. Had a little cash saved - went to an estate auction that had three Packards! A 1937 "baby" Packard, a 1947 Clipper and a 49 Packard. Got outbid every time. Discouragement set in. Looked on Craigslist. Looked on eBay. Looked at a 53 sedan. Got sold out from under me. Looked at a 54 Clipper - too much rust. Looked at a 55 clipper - way too much rust. Finally I gave up. Life happened, money went elsewhere - and so it goes....
I told a buddy, who told a buddy that I was looking for a Packard.
"A Packard? Well I have one I'll sell" So, after several dead ends, I finally have a Packard. It's a 1951 Patrician. Needs everything, but it's MY Packard. Dad is pretty impressed "Oh, you know, not everyone can own one of those - and a PATRICIAN? Those were mighty special cars in their day". My girlfriend calls it "The Beast". I may never get it done, I may never show it, but I think it's pretty special too.