Packard Forum Index » General

hemmings.com/classifieds/dealer/packard/120/1799211.html

While it's a beautiful and stylish Packard, I wouldn't get it because--if I remember what a forum member told me a while back--1939 was the first year Packard offered the shift on the column, which had linkage problems.

But, just for the heck of it and considering the specs of the car, what might it sell for? I know, I know, it's strictly guess-work, but just humor me and throw out a couple of figures.

as always
Garrett Meadows

I wrote to the seller and the asking is $38000 Canadian or about $27000 US. I am sure it is negotiable to some extent also since this is a dealer. Nice car for the money. I wish our Canadian dollar hadn't tanked with the price of oil or I might be interested myself. I would go have a look at it for you if it wasn't 800 miles away in the same province.

Can't help on the price but if you find a 39 you like I wouldn't pass it up just because of the gearshift.

Believe the major gearshift parts and design are the same 39-42. Most of the first year troubles were due to Packard using rubber bushings at the various lever and rod connecting points that deteriorated and developed too much slop. Packard revised the connections with a change from the rubber to steel bushings and Issued a retrofit kit for the earlier models. If the car had the changes I believe most of the early problems were resolved and it will work as well as any of them.

None of Packards linkage was known for speed shifting abilities -- even postwars -- but if care is taken to move deliberately and thru the steps as many have suggested I think it would shift satisfactorily.

I was just driving my 39 120 this afternoon, using the original column shifter - still works great 76 years later. Plus the car has a lot more than 37,000 miles! If I was in the market for a third Packard, I'd jump on that coupe in a New York minute!
Even if if the shifter is sloppy, it's not hard to fix. Plus I like that one since it's the same color as my 4 door sedan!

As Howard and David said, not a big concern and a fairly easy fix if needed. Three on a tree is like riding a bike, you don't forget the technic no matter the slop. I actually prefer the column shift, but that's what I'm comfortable with. I'm sure you would quickly adapt. Nice looking Packard.

About as nice as they come for this model and year. Benchmark it at the high end for future comparisons.

(o{}o)