You would think that my truck would not have any problem. First I was told that their trailer could only handle 4000# of load,then it was as issue with length and width, and believe me it was an issue, thanks for the responses I got from you guys. And then finally, oh we are sorry, your truck is not heavy enough. Huh? Because it's a 4X4, my cargo capacity is reduced and my vehicle weight is just north of 7000#, and it's too light to tow the Packard. Mind you, my Benz weights 100# less, is narrower by 2" and is 6" shorter in overall and wheelbase lengths and they had no problem with me renting a trailer and hauling it. Corporate America is truly amazing, if it ain't in the computer it must not exist. Oh by the way, when entering the towed vehicle information for a 1949 model, Packard was not even listed. Chevy, Ford, GMC (1 ton, 3/4 ton and 1/2 ton), Studebaker, MG and a couple of others but no Packard,Desoto, Chrysler, or any of the many other cars available then. It is almost as fun trying to get the car home as it will be to buy, test drive it, inspect it and own it. Well, I'm going to watch TV, I have a headache after all of this. By the way, I was talking to Express Auto Transport out of Cincinnati, OH and very likeable, polite and knowledgeable guys. Company ships 13,000 cars annually. If I use them, rather than fight over getting a trailer from U-Haul, I'll let you know how it worked out.

And thanks to HH for the image of the car dimensions. It was valuable. Where is it on this website? I looked, but not being familiar with it yet I did not succeed.

Thank you for the information. I cannot believe how screwed up U-Haul is in trying to get a trailer. I have a 2008 ChevyHD with diesel, gross trailer capacity of 13000 pounds and they are telling me that the truck is too light to haul the car. Unbelievable.

Need some help, again. :) What is the width of the car from outside-to-outside at the tires? Trying to see if this car fits on a U-Haul trailer. Thanks

Thanks, I double checked myself on the engine and it seems okay. I wonder how hard it would be to get another panhard rod? Especially one with a shock absorber in it. Probably not that hard. Same with the heat shield I would suspect. Didn't realize that there was supposed to be one there, thanks for the information. Makes sense seeing as how that line comes up right alongside of the exhaust manifold.

I guess I need to get off the pot and make the deal. Been playing around with this long enough. I doubt I'll find a better car for this price anywhere, unless it's been neglected and in need of expensive replacement and repair.

Thanks to all of you for the help and information. You have been very generous and helpful.

Joe

Dallas,

Thank you for the offer. I would like to talk with you some more about them if I get this car. Would that include the hubcaps as well?

Owen,

Chances are that this seller doesn't understand this car and was simply following the directions that came with the cutoff switch. How many cars are on the road today that have a positive ground system? If this deal goes through I'll trailer the car home, disconnecting the battery and fix that issue once I am back. And I am looking forward to what pieces of information you can discover, thanks for the efforts.

I went back to the Ebay listing and was looking at the pictures of the undercarriage again and noticed two things. First, the engine looks like it is angled to the frame? And in the sideways shot looking at the panhard rod, it looks to be bent. Can anyone tell me it both things are normal.

Hmmm!

Early model multi-piece bumper. And engine number seems to indicate that it was in the first batch of 1500 engines produced for the model. If the numbers were used in sequence and began with G-600001. And yet the body number and vin code says that it was made either real late 1948 or early 1949.

I'll be looking for that PS, thanks

Thanks for the encouragements. Someone else asked him if the original wheels were with the car and he said no that only the spare is the original wheel.

I remember once when I was in my teens and I forgot to polarize a generator on my Dad's Rambler, boy was he mad. At least I learned how to rebuild one.

Maybe I'll place a bid based on what I have been told so far about numbers. It would take a pretty determined scammer to figure out what numbers should be provided, and they would have most likely provided them at the onset. This guy seems like he's trying to be honest. If he didn't tell me the truth at the very least I would have a nice driver that I could enjoy for many years to come.

Thanks for your help. Talk with you again I hope. Maybe drive up to Canada with the car and visit some day.

Joe

Yep, I saw the leaks also. That doesn't bother me if the car is purported to be original. If there weren't any, than I would wonder and probably pass. Undocumented repairs to tranny's and rear axles bother me.

Thanks for the information on the wheels. I didn't think they were original to the year, probably added within the last 10 years or so especially seeing as how the tires are tubeless and while not stated are most likely radials as well. If I buy this car I'll keep the wires on it, they do look good for the body style, but later on source a set of originals with hubcaps.

As for the alternator, that's okay with me for now. I hate polarizing generators. But some where I am sure I could find an original unit and keep it with the wheels for a future frame-off restore if I live long enough to quit enjoying just driving the car and want to make it into a show piece.

Obviously you are looking at this car on Ebay, is there any other pieces of advise you could give me, it would be appreciated.

Thanks guys for the information. The engine number is G-601499 and seems to fall within the range quoted. It is a pretty awesome vehicle judging from the photos. The seller has even posted shots of the undercarriage, and it is is superb condition for its age. I have wrenched cars since I was a kid, my father's age and lack of interest in doing it himself got me started with fixing his cars. Only recently have I resorted to dealerships or garages to work on my cars. These old ones I think I understand pretty well. But thanks for the advice about having it inspected. I am hoping that the seller will let me put down a small down payment with final sale subject to my inspection. The auction ends this weekend and I can't get to it before then. If not, than either it doesn't sell and gets relisted and I go and inspect it or it sells and I continue looking for one.

This particular car has wire wheels. Were they an extra cost option offered by the dealership?

My father did own two Packards, hence my interest in them over other makes. One was a pre-war 7 passenger limo I think was a 1941 180 that he bought when I was a baby and got rid of when maintenance became an issue for him. The other was an early Caribbean two door in black over yellow that got abandoned when we moved to Calif. in 1959. I miss that limo, what a truly great car it was. I still remember it today, some 55 years later.

Thank you for the response, it was very helpful. The seller is asking a premium price for the car based on it's originality and condition and I just want to make sure that what they say is what you get. I have asked them for the engine number, I even sent them a jpg image of where it is located at from a picture I found here on the forum. If that number comes in within the range that the forum says would be correct than I guess I buy it. According to the forum's information that number should be in the range of G-600001 to G-650000 with it likely being G-600001 to G-612000. Can you tell me if your understanding of this numbering sequence is correct?

I understand from readings that this body style wasn't all that popular, but I like the lines and the flowing motion of the body and trim. Besides, it is appealing to me to drive a car that is as old as I am and in far better shape than me. If it all pans out and I do buy it, I will definitely post the car to the registry.