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

My dad found the car in the 1970's with a tree growing through it. It was still solid and mostly rust free. He started a restoration and completed the brakes, he has 4 front fenders completed one set with side mounts, one rear fender is completed. And the trunk lid and luggage rack. Two of the doors are repaired and ready for paint As is the hood and rad shroud. All the chrome is finished and he has many NOS parts in boxes and lots of extra parts that could be traded. The car needs the engine and Trans rebuilt and a complete interior including the wood. The car if I remember is only missing one part the chrome hood Louvre. My dad passed away last December and I don't have the place to work on it since I am already working on a 1947 super clipper. So we are thinking of selling it to someone who would restore it and not rod it or modify it to death. Would anyone know what it would be worth? Will try to locate some pictures. It also has the bijour oil system but as I understand they stopped using that in 1936. So the year of the car may be in question.

The easiest way to determine a 36 from a 37 senior packard are the doors: 36 front & rear suicide doors, 37 only suicide doors in the back.

Hard to give a value without pictures.

For "senior" cars, Bijur would indicate 1936 and earlier. Another easy way to tell a senior 1936 from a 1937 or later (other than by the vehicle number) is to just take a peek at the front suspension - 1936 would still have a straight beam axle and leaf springs, 1937 would have independent front coil spring suspension (with hydraulic brakes as well).

Not to splash cold water, but if much of the structural body wood needs replacement, restoration will be labor of love; the cost for same will outweigh the value added and you (or a future restorer) will be deeply under water. Best to check the wood carefully to see exactly what the extent of damage is. A full engine rebuild will also be very expensive on the Super Eight. Like BDC I can't comment on value, pictures would be helpful, but what you say presents a dim picture for a restorer - what you really may have is a part donor car.

Well I suspect the logical next question is what do they go for in good running condition? I just rebuilt the engine on my 47 Packard and it cost $5500. If a good running car is worth $50000 then it would not take to much time to spend that much on my car considering what it needs. I could more than likely do much of the work myself but have no good space or time to do it as I already have a 47 Packard and a 74 Pontiac LeMans. But it would still be a shame to see a beautiful car like this go for parts.

Photos would help. At the $50,000 level, it would be ready to win first-place awards at a CCCA Grand Classic. If all the chrome has been done, that is a huge cost savings for the potential restorer. Usually, the cost to rebuild the engine is twice what you paid to do yours. Upholstery can be another $15,000. Once the body work is done, paint will be another $10,000.

It is really tough to appraise your car without seeing a photo of it, so we can determine just how bad your wood is. Then it can be estimated the cost of the body work and wood.

You didn't mention if the chassis was restored.

If the wood is really bad, I agree that this would probably be a parts donor. A friend bought the exact same type of project (1937, which is a little more desirable than a '36) a couple of years ago for less than $5,000. Complete, but no new chrome. He also paid another $1,000 for a spare engine.

Even with your package of new chrome, I think you'd still have a hard time obtaining $10,000 in its current condition.

The last Packard 8 motor I did had a bent crank among other problems. The machine work ran $4,500.

I would seem that rebuilding an engine in Canada is less expensive than in the U.S. I paid $3000 for the parts from Max Merritt and $2500 for the rebuild. I guess I got a good deal.

A thorough rebuild of a prewar detachable block engine is, cost-wise, is a very different proposition than the relatively simple later designs.

"I paid....$2500 for the rebuild. I guess I got a good deal"

Did they machine the crankshaft? That exercise, with removing and re-installing the counterweights, should be a considerable cost component.

No the crank shaft was in perfect condition and only needed standard size bearings not over size ones. It did need a connecting rod, new valves, springs and guides, pistons, rings, and cam re ground. Also needed new lifter cups and lifters which I found NOS. took a while to gather all the parts. max Merritt was a huge help.