Packard Forum Index » Pre-War (1899-1942)

It's out of my league but I recently came in contact with a man that has a freshly restored 1939 1701 conv. coupe. It looked to be restored correctly and very well done. I asked him what it's worth in his opinion and he said $60K. It seriously is a strong #2 and close to a #1. I was thinking it was more in the $70K-$80K range but what do I know. It was really nicely and correctly done.

My reason for posting this is I'm always interested in values if for nothing more than amusement. This car is simply amazing and I thought they might even be in the $100K range, $60K seemed kind of low to me. Sorry, no pictures but take my word for it, it's amazing and correct.

One of the better sites is NADA Classic Car Values

nadaguides.com/Classic-Cars/1958/Packard

Click on the link, then select the year and then select the model that interests you.

For a 1701 convertible coupe they are saying:

Low: $32,900
Mid: $63,300
High: $110,000

Someday, maybe BigKev could put this link the FAQ section for everyone to use.

I think that the nada values (especially on prewar vehicles) is most times very optimistic.
On the other hand my wife has a prewar caddy with only 3other ones in existance and the value is lower than my 36 packard coupe

Although I agree the NADA site is very nicely laid out and easy to use, I also feel the values are often not realistic. My favorite example follows:

Model: Packard Station Sedan
NADA - Low...........High
1948 - 27,300.00 ... 106,600.00
1949 - 23,700.00 ... 102,600.00
1950 - 20,400.00 .... 89,700.00

That's a $16,900.00 difference on the high end between a 1948 and 1950 Station Sedan.

And yet... it's exactly the same car. The only way to tell the difference is to look at the data plate.

High, low, whatever - at least NADA is collecting some data and not just guessing.

As for pre-war value estimates being too high; I can give you this example.

Earlier this year a club member begin to let it be known he wanted to sell his 1938 Super 8 convertible coupe, model 1604, body style 1119. So, out of curiosity I looked it up on NADA:
nadaguides.com/Classic-Cars/1938/Packard/1604/2-Door-Convertible-Coupe/Values

And the value estimates set it at;
Low: $23,900
Average: $46,300
High: $120,100

Eventually it went to auction at Hershey and the results are here:
rmauctions.com/lots/lot.cfm?lot_id=1063385

It hammered down at $160,000 and the 10% buyer's premium meant the guy paid $176,000 for the car.

Sadly, the seller passed away a few weeks after the auction

I know about NADA but hearing about values on here is most likely more realistic. I think the interior might be vinyl but it sure doesn't look like it and I don't think it would hurt the value much as it looks so good. You just don't see these cars everyday and I'm thinking at the right auction it would bring over $100K

Also, what is the correct color spark plug wires and correct spark plug cover?

restorationstuff.com/featured4.html

Not sure what you're referring to as a "cover" but the high tension wires were covered with black lacquered cloth over rubber.

I mean what is the correct thing at the end of the SP wire that connects to the SP? Sorry.