Steve
I spotted that "Packard collection". the seller and I have exchanged emails about other cars. He is a typical Craigs Lister. Claims buyers are flocking to his cars and trucks and paying whatever he is asking.

Meanwhile, many of his cars are in long grasses looking like a swampy humid pasture right now.

I am amazed that these cars and all the other cars he has listed on ebay are there in this day and age. Someone accumulated quite a collection. He has a 49 Frazer, several rare International trucks and more.

Now all of a sudden, they go on CL? If he priced all of them at $1000 to $1500 he would pocket $40,000 and find several deserving cars new homes. Of those, a few would be restored and returned to the gene pool. Unfortunately, some people get greedy.

Troy
Your comments gave me a smile. On the AACA forum - Buick Pre War - there is a discussion now about cost to rebuild properly a Buick 322 cid straight eight and the consensus was around $7000 to $9000.

I would imagine a post war Packard 8 either straight or V would cost $3000 in parts alone (pistons/bearings/camshaft lifters etc) then there are only a handful of qualified machine shops left to do the measurements and machining.

I had a 1990 Reatta convertible and was quoted about $7000 for a paint and body work on just a teeny convertible.

And we all know what it costs to do chrome. Lots of bumpers are approaching $1000 to $1500 and pitted pot metal sent to Paul's can run in the thousands.

Therefore, these "survivor" cars are quite popular.

Troy
Wow. Here is how I see this car. The 200 was not the top of the line car for 1951 but it's 8 cylinder Packard powered, everything I see looks like you get a big dose of early 50's American car experience, for $5500 to $6500.

Now, compare that to a 1951 Chevy, or Plymouth, Pontiac - you get the picture. It's a great deal.

Trust me, NO 1951 Packard 200 4 doors are getting restored in this age of $6000 chrome, $7000 engine rebuilds and $10,000 interiors, etc. So if a person wants to get into the old car hobby Packard style without dropping $35,000, here you go.

Wouldn't it be nice if we knew what some of those over priced cars actually sold for or if they sell at all? CL is free and so you see all kinds of cars.

The seller of the yellow and white 56 400 did call me. The car has been in storage in the SW for 30 years, shows around 67,000 miles according to the seller and is an A/C car.

Seemed pretty firm on $5000. Nice PAC owned 400's can be had for $15,000 to $25,000, making a $5000 starting price tough to swallow but it is fair, compared to what project 56 Cadillac Coupe deVilles are bringing in similar condition and at much higher production.

I have always wanted a 56 Packard so I reached out to that 56 400 seller but he has no phone with the ad.

Steve
That 23rd series Super in Chicago for around $7800 looks nice to me. I had a 22nd Custom 8 and I always thought the 23rd series Super Deluxes with the eggcrates were a nice compromise over the sometimes uber expensive maintenance on Custom 8's. I really like that 327.

https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/csw/cto/5054575974.html

Nice Patrician on the Minneapolis CL. I also found it in my local Des Moines CL but without a price. Sneak in there and get this one for $11,000.

The Patrician noted above on the Fargo CL I spotted that on a browse a couple of weeks ago and was impressed. Runs and drives so a person could sort some issues out. I am sure it runs and drivers poorly.

I see few 1951 Patricians for sale. Arguably, they were the replacement for the Custom 8 were they not? I suppose they did not compare from a refinement and attention to detail but still....they were the senior Packard and I rarely see them.

As I understand it, that 327 with the 9 main bearings was a fine engine. Is the sellers statement about Power Steering correct? 1951? I thought Packard did not get PS until 1952 to 1953, same as GM.

Anyway that price seems reasonable, and could probably be negotiated down a bit more.

**

As for the 1954 Convertible in Sioux City, that lady reached out to me a while back when I was looking for a Packard project.

It's a stalled project if I recall and there is a lot of money tied up in chrome and such but if it is basically a basket case, then the field of buyers will be slim.

She has advertised it for awhile on CL and the Packard Club Buy/Sell forum, maybe even ebay.

I am not a 1954 convertible fan, not even a 1954 Caribbean fan, so I am not entirely interested. I think she wanted in the ballpark of $10,000 for it, maybe I am a bit high but I think that's what she wanted.

Only 1730 Patricians made for 1954? I didn't know that. That's a nice car in a nice conservative but optimistic color combination and $12,500? That's a great price for which to dicker down a little.

Received an email reply from the seller with the 36 Packard coupe (2 door). He says that the question about the engine size is a "ew" one for him.

He can't send photos to me by email but can text them to me. I don't text.

Does the need to text and non understanding of engine size or series mean we are dealing with an estate matter maybe? I do have his phone number now.