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

1941 180 formal sedan, supposedly owned by Packard president when new (delivery plate has been stolen).

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I don't know anything about relative scarcity of the model per se, but if it were fully documented and authenticated, then it could hold some extra historic value to an ardent collector - in spite of its poor condition.

Alas, without the data plate and other documentation, we may never know the truth.

Worst case scenario: donate it to one of the museums.

Thats a hard call. It looks pretty rough, no documentation, the cost of restoration would far exceed resale value. The owner had better have a sentimental reason for restoration or its off to the scrapper I would think.

Appears to be a 1941 180 formal sedan (1907-1432) which would make it pretty exclusive, though at this point it would appear for all practical purposes to be an organ donor car. I'll never understand why so many cars loose their delivery (patent) plates! Is it just so they can be put on eBay for $50 and forever destroy the chance of verifying the car's history? I even dislike seeing new patent plates on a restored car, all nicely engraved - always raises the question if the data was faithfully copied from the original, or if its just a fraud. Gosh, there are enough of them (frauds, that is), convertibles from coupes, Twelves for Super Eights, etc.

In this car's case, the original patent plate numbers are known. I believe Charlie Blackman has them written down. The car was used as a parts car when my brother restored his 1942 180 formal sedan (with factory air, o.d., electro clutch, radio, heater... you name it, it was on their from the factory).

Sometime between when my brother stopped buying parts off of it, and when Charlie Blackman bought it, the i.d. plate was stolen. Charlie donated the car to the Packard Museum in Dayton, where another 1941 180 formal sedan also awaits restoration (in about the same condition, no less, but with factory air).

If I had a nice-condition 180 five-passenger touring sedan, I'd consider turning it into a parts car to restore the formal. However, in reality, the formal would really be the "parts car."