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The ad says "Roadster conversion"
It has a reproduction plate so that leaves me wondering; is this a hacked up coupe?

rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/FL18/Fort-Lau ... ht-coupe-roadster-conversion/641803

Hi BDC:

Like you, to me and especially on a higher value car, a repro patent plate always raises a caution flag about authenticity. Another possibility in this case is that "conversion" could relate to the conversion from the original updraft to downdraft carburetion for which a factory kit was made available. Another conversion is from generator to alternator so perhaps it was also converted to 12-volt, both of which should detract from the value.

O_D, what would be the obvious signs of being a hacked up coupe? In other words how to recognize a fake roadster?

I'd say that RM/Sotheby's is trying to accurately represent the vehicles, and that the "converted" Light Eight is believed to be a converted coupe, and the twin six "in the style of Dietrich" is not a Dietrich but a rebody.

I agree. Showing magnified photos (larger than reality) of bits of corrosion on chrome and a close up of that alternator bear that out, don't you think?

6v alternators are readily available for about $250 that mount with little modification to the bracket and are recommended if you have gel batteries. You can get one that looks like the generator it replaces for $500. Of course, if real miles aren't being put on a car, if it isn't driven at night long distances, then using a 6v alternator might devalue a car you only look at and trailer. Otherwise for reliability and safety, brighter lights and easier starting might be a plus. Again, the old generator was probably retained.

So you would spend $100K restoring a car and not replace the data plate? Why would they be sanctioned by the club, if they devalued a car? I kept my worn down, beat up original. I think I posted a photo of it in the Duchess blog. You would not want to put that back on a restored car. I suspect the owner has the beat up original, too.

Also if Packard offered a kit for anything to improve customer satisfaction for a specific year, even including a different body, I can't see how that can be incorrect/not authentic.

The design of the shovel nose is right up there with the'34s IMHO.

Hi

Converting a stationary coupe was made easy since Packard essentially "hardtoped" the coupe roadster to build the stationary coupe. It was a smart approach, wished they'd continued it well into the shared junior body years. Here's a closer look at the interior structure:

The motivation to create open cars and rebody choice models is well known.

Steve

Might as well add a few more pickings:

A couple '52 200 touring sedans:

Two-tone green, ready to enjoy:
allentown.craigslist.org/cto/d/1951-packard/6499912607.html

Turquoise & white, 70K miles,named "Blanche' by the license:
maine.craigslist.org/cto/d/1952-packard-4-door-coupe-for/6481323492.html

And a 'recent' trade-in '47 Clipper Six:
newjersey.craigslist.org/ctd/d/1947-packard-clipper-flathead/6477024918.html

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I spy a '57 Pontiac 2Dr HT behind that Coupe :)

Re: the RM listings. You always need to carefully read the auction descriptions as the auction house will never hide anything knowingly, but the words may not seem completely clear to somebody that doesn't know what they are doing.

The DV32 in the same sale is interesting because 15 years ago it was represented as an authentic Rollston bodied DV32. That sale came undone pretty quickly afterwards and the later descriptions (it sold at Milhouse and this sale) are much closer to the reality. Car was originally a standard in the white Lebaron coupe on an SV16 chassis which got an engine transplant and a haircut in the 1960s. All of which was documented in the regional CCCA magazine at the time.

Hi

And back to our program in progress....

A '50 Eight:
semo.craigslist.org/cto/d/1950-packard-4-door-sedan/6500756867.html

Two '52's:
A Patrician project:
knoxville.craigslist.org/cto/d/1952-packard-patrician-400/6474415712.html

A 300 project:
nwga.craigslist.org/cto/d/1952-packardobo/6483626902.html

Two '55 Clipper projects:
nashville.craigslist.org/cto/d/1955-packers-clipper/6498909834.html

A Constellation, no engine or transmission, NM body:
parkersburg.craigslist.org/cto/d/1955-packard-clipper-no-title/6498067517.html

Steve

Added 2-24-2018

A '41 110 Special, states "all-original" no photos:
kansascity.craigslist.org/cto/d/41-packard-all-original-rare/6484696948.html

A '56 Executive sedan, 53K miles, ready to enjoy:
chambana.craigslist.org/cto/d/1956-packard-executive-sedan/6477535610.html

1938 super 8 club sedan
cnj.craigslist.org/cto/d/1938-packard-1604-super-8/6508845034.html

1927 sedan
santabarbara.craigslist.org/cto/d/1927-packard/6501213227.html