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

Howdy,

I have just been given what is likely my grandfather's first car. Bought new by his uncle, it was driven into a garage in 1948, and stored in a couple of dry garages ever since. No broken glass, no cancer. The paint is broken around almost all intersections, and has surface rust. The upholstery, having housed a family of cats for a few years is a total loss. The real question is..., what is it? I don't have access to the car, as it is in Missouri. Before I came back home, I looked at the patent plate, assuming that it held all the answers. It shows manufacture(?)date of 7-23-28. serial #164775, Kansas City, MO. I have a 1930 owners manual that has a hand written note indicating 526 - but the manual is for an eight, the car is a six. So..., what is it? And as I undertake this project., well, where do I start?

Humbly,

Ray,

Ray, the date is the date of delivery to the customer. Based on your #, you have either a 526 or a 533, just measure the wheelbase to determine which (126 or 133 inches).

Something to remember is that in that era Packard didn't introduce new cars on an annual calendar basis, your car is a 5th Series and series ran for different amounts of time and some ran into the following year. I'll edit this tomorrow with the opening and closing dates of the 526-533 unless someone beats me to it. The Sixth series cars roughly correlate to 1929, so it would make sense that your car has been called a 1928.

Where do you start? Great question that I'll leave to others, but what are your expectations? If it means anything to you (and thankfully to some it doesn't), you could easily sink more $ into the car than it will ever be worth.

EDIT: 5th Series Single Six production commenced 7-1-27 and ran thru 8-1-28. The 526 was available in 5 body styles, and the 533 in 7; total production given as 41,750 units.

Its value is not a really a concern. It just has emmense coolness value to me, as a 1 family car. The original title still exists. I have 18 years to restore it for its centennial. It is a sedan, but I have no body numbers, so until I get it this summer, I will have to guess?

Thanks!

Good for you, I have more into my cars than I could probably get out but it doesn't both me, I've had decades of pleasure and at times I feel more like a caretaker than an owner.

FYI, there was only 1 sedan in the 526 line, body style #303, sedan for 5 passengers. There were 3 in the 533 line, #304 sedan for 5-7 passengers, #305 - essentially the same as #304 but with a divider window, and #306, a club sedan for 5 passengers.

Send us a couple of pictures when convenient.

I will, but until fall, I am 1,000 miles away. More time for research. And the years have not been terribly kind...., but it was driven in, so it will shine again!!



Ray,

Quote:G'day Ray,
to PackardInfo, with a great positive outlook like that I'm sure it will.

And a request of you - Could you please include your 526 in the Packard Owner's Registry here, together with a pic and your family's history of it's ownership?

Ray,
for including your '28 526 Six Sedan in the Packard Owner's Registry.