Re: Senior & Junior

Posted by Jim On 2007/12/16 2:01:00

It is strange how the 39 Super 8 is knocked around concerning its senior car status. The Classic Car Club of America FULL CLASSIC registry clearly and unmistakably recognizes a 39 Super 8 as a full classic. The 40-41 is the exact same car with the latter and much less traditional mono-cast iron engine block, yet is never questioned about its senior status. I realize the V-12 was dropped and there is basically no other holy grail left in the declining years from 40 forward. Aside from some basic body pieces, very little of the 39 Super is directly interchangeable with junior cars. Dash, interments, interior appointments, headlight shells, bumpers, trunk rack, engine, trans, air-filtration, radiator shutters, numerous chassis parts, and way to much to even list are totally different from a 39 junior car. Another secret, every time anyone with one of the ?questionable? 39 senior cars goes to buy an engine part it's 3 to 6 times more expensive than a junior part. How about having a dash redone for a Questionable 1939 Super 8? well its plastic, unlike the juniors with re-paintable steele. Guess how much it is to have the plastic dash redone for the 39 Super? about $5000 to $6000 dollars. You know why? because they were limited production cars (like all senior cars were!) I guess for those of us that saw the 1939 Super 8 as the last Packard 8 with the classic aluminum block 8 and a recognized full classic, well we were wrong! We are only entitled to spend senior car money to own and maintain these pieces of Packard history, but must sit back and be snubbed, and excluded from the ?real, secret senior / full classic? Packard circles.

I have seen this description of the 39 super repeatedly, and have finally decided to speak out for all of the 39 Super owners that are tired of hearing this! If this is not a SENIOR or a FULL CLASSIC then you better let Packard's International, and The Classic Car Club of America know, because that's how they see it.

Well, there! it's said. Now everyone can sit back and have a good laugh at the rant from one 39 Super 8 owner that finally stood up and said the words out loud!