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On an episode of "American Pickers" last night, the guys picked the Packard memorabilia/car collection of a fellow named Nate Dawes. If I remember correctly, Nat wrote a book about pre-War Packards. Also, he owns the first v-8 Packard that rolled off the assembly line.

Just wondering if any forum members know or have met Nate. I think that's his first name, but I'm certain his last name was "Dawes."

kind regards
Garrett Meadows

I know him very well. Great guy, and his wife, Helen, is wonderful too. He owns the first '56 Caribbean off the assembly line. Knowledgeable too. Regards, John

I rather figured someone in here had to know Nate. All I can say about his collection is an unqualified WOW! His Packard memorabilia collection has got to be nonpareil And that Caribbean of his is magnificent.

Where does Nate live? Also, did I hear correctly on last night's show that he wrote a book on pre-War Packards?

kind regards
Garrett Meadows

PS: I must say this justifies, at least for me, watching reality TV shows.

Nate lives in New York state, I've known him for many years and often encounter him at shows up in the Hudson Valley. His book is "The Packard 1942-1962", long out of print but very worthwhile if you can locate a copy.

He lives in Poughkeepsie, NY. I do have a signed copy of his book. John

Also, see this earlier thread about that Pickers episode.

Couple of copies of the Dawes book currently on Amazon.

Just listening to Nate on "American Pickers" it was easy to tell he is a walking-encyclopedia of all things Packard. Of course, the pickers had trouble prying even the most nominal Packard memorabilia loose from Nate--and I don't blame him.

How the pickers found Nate's place, I don't remember. But, I did remember they were picking in NY state, I just didn't know where.

kind regards
Garrett Meadows

Friends

I met Nate in the early '90's. He spoke at an annual dinner of the lately departed Eastern Packard Club. He had just found a carton or two of his book someplace, albeit without a dust jacket, so he was selling copies. I had him autograph mine.

When he wrote the book, the postwar Packards were not highly regarded by many people. Literature on Packard was scanty until the Kimes book in the "80's, and what existed was focused on prewar senior cars. Nate's book was valuable for owners of postwar Packards.

This was one of the reasons for the founding of the EPC in 1964. Post war cars were always welcome there,as they were not in other cubs. Much of this was due the usual car club snobbery, but I also think it had to do with relative recent demise of Packard, which rubbed nerves a little raw for a long time.

I met Nate on a few other occasions, he is always friendly, cheerful and helpful as he is on the tv show.

Best

John Harley

Just a nit-pick, but Nat owns the first 1955 Caribbean, #5588-1001, not the first 1956. He bought it in 1965.

In addition to the Caribbean, Nate also has (or had) a 1937 115 convertible coupe, somewhat mongrelized as I recall with a Ford Falcon engine and transmission. His Caribbean was at the PAC National in Gettysburg PA. As to his book, I find it a very handy resource and recommend it but as with any book written so many years ago, its only as current as the information available to Nate at the time. I find the best part of it to be the appendeces at the rear - good and easy-to-access information.