Re: Attractive 1939 1238 Model 12 Packard on ebay

Posted by Garrett Meadows On 2016/11/18 10:53:46

Hi Steve!

Yes, social attitudes have done a 180 since the desperate years of the 1930s relative to flaunting wealth or the appearance of having wealth. Contemporary America is extremely resistant to giving up its luxury cars.

Several years ago I went to visit my youngest son in Amsterdam where he was spending a year studying at the University of Amsterdam. That was my first trip to Europe and what an eye-opener it was, especially regarding transportation.

Steve, they ride bicycles like we drive cars, which are the exception. And, of the cars I did see, they were tiny. Rarely did I see an SUV or large luxury car. There were literally thousands of bicycles on the road. I saw many, many men in suits and ties on bicycles, obviously going to work. I nearly got run over several times trying to acclimate myself to be on the lookout for bikes, as opposed to cars.

Also, I guess a bi-product of riding bicycles everywhere, I seldom saw on overweight Dutch person.

Back to topic, my grandparents could have easily bought a Packard 120 back in 1937, but didn't because of the reasons you cited. Instead, they drove their old Buick and didn't get a new car until after WW II! Can you imagine financially able to buy a Packard 120 in those days and opting to go 10 years before buying a new car? Talk about an exercise in delayed gratification. That was really the Greatest Generation.

kind regards
Garrett M