Well it looks like someone will end up paying too much for this. The data plate is a reproduction and engine maintenance history/condition unknown. It's already bid up to about A$33K for a car needing a $20K paint job and potentially engine work. Good ones of these have been fetching US$40-45K recently. Think I'll pass!

Brian

Another instalment. I now have the engine number of this car - it is B602481.

Cheers

Brian

Thanks very much guys. Very helpful. Such a trove of valuable knowledge on this site!

Yes, it's looking like the plate may be a reproduction. If so, it was probably attached when Max Hood restored it. The data on the plate may well be correct. Guess we'll never know.

I spoke with Robert Escalante in Santa Ana today. He owns a Packard repair/restoration shop called Custom Auto Service. There is a sticker from his shop on the car. He does not recall the car, but could possibly search it out by engine number if we knew roughly when it came to Australia (or when it was last in California). Robert remembers Max Hood and said he thought someone here called Bruce Riston might have helped Max with the car and could throw more light on what was done after it arrived here. I don't know of Bruce Riston. Maybe others have come across him?

Cheers

Brian

Thanks to everyone for the helpful responses to my question. I have learned the ownership history of this car from Peter Toet in Canberra, who is a walking encyclopaedia on the V12 cars in Australia!

This car was imported many years ago from the US and restored by Max Hood (a longstanding Packard Australia club member who has since passed away) then owned and fully road registered by collector Andrew Lidden. It was purchased around 2016 from Andrew's estate by the Gosford Classic Car Museum and is now up for auction. It is very similar (although possibly not as good as) the car sold last November at the Mecum Las Vegas auction for US$43,600. (That was reputedly 1235-1208. Doesn't sound right, either).

There is still a question mark over the originality of the data plate on the Gosford car. Responses so far suggest it's probably a reproduction. There is no documentation at all with the car except for an Owner's Manual.

Dave, for your records this car is TPN 476828. If the data plate is correct, it's 1235-2107.

Thanks again

Brian

Thanks for that. Very helpful.

Well, that's a well worn plate! It clearly shows what I was concerned about. The "1" is quite different to the plate in my picture, which raises questions about its originality.

Regards

Brian

Thanks Dave

I knew you'd throw some light on this.

I don't think there's much doubt about the car itself. It's quite original - possibly an older restoration. Tried to contact Robert Escalante after I saw the Custom Auto Service sticker on it. Didn't hear back, but will try again.

Interesting theory you put forward regarding the vehicle number being stamped in two bites. Yes, that's plausible. As you can see from the plate, it was supposedly delivered new in Chicago.

You're the expert on tpn's, so I'll take you word that this looks like a 1939 number. I don't doubt that it is.

What bothers me about the data plate is the "1". Other original 1939 plates I've seen show the exaggerated "I" with bars top and bottom. Like the example in the reply to my query. You mention that different fonts have turned up at various times.

Of course, if it is a reproduction it does not necessarily mean the contents are incorrect.

Many thanks

Brian

Thanks for that. I tried emailing Robert via Custom Auto Services a while back, but didn't hear back. I'll try again!

Cheers Brian

One for the experts. This is a picture of the data plate on the Packard 12 Limo to be auctioned shortly by the Gosford Motor Museum.

Opinions on whether it is a genuine or reproduction plate? The car serial number font does not look like others I've seen. Perhaps they were different in 1939?

The history of this car is very cloudy. It appears to be a US import and possibly an older restoration.It has a sticker on the screen for a restoration shop in Santa Ana, CA and a Packards International club sticker.

Cheers

Brian

Attach file:

---

  (79.27 KB)

Trying to attach pics below:

Attach file:

---

  (103.93 KB)


  (107.45 KB)


  (85.42 KB)

Went to look at the cars up for auction, which include three Packards:

First is a 1930 704 Roadster. Very good condition. Replica body after a different bodywork diversion. Left hand drive and expected to return to US. Not much interest locally. They had it for sale for a while at A$300K.

Second is a 1939 1708 Twelve Limo. Looks quite original, but paint is bubbling in many places and obvious water leak around the thermostat housing. This is supposed to be a car imported into Australia privately some years ago. Looks like a 20-30 year old restoration. Still LHD. Data plate does not match the details in the Registry, or previous commentary. Looks like it may have been changed? Now showing 1235-2107. Was supposed to be 1235-2044. This was for sale a while back at A$125-150K, but no takers. Quite a nice old thing but history/ID rather hazy.

Third is a well-restored 1955 400 in black/white also LHD. They were trying to get about A$50K for this. Already bid up to about $25K, so will probably go close. Not everyone's cup of tea!

Will try to attach some pics in separate message - I'm slow, so it will time out on me!

Brian