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

Hello,

I am new to the forum and I would like to solicit the help of forum members in trying to establish the value of a car.

I have been admiring a 1932 Packard Light Eight roadster for several years here in Dubai. It is stored and maintained in a friend of mines workshop. My friend called me today to say that the owner has decided to sell it.

I know nothing about these cars and am asking for help in what to look for. I would like to verify the originality as well as try to get an idea of value. What numbers should I check and where do I find them? Are there particular photos that would be helpful for me to post?

Thank you very much for any assistance you guys can give me.

Regards,

Darin

As you've noted, there is a lot of information to be obtained and assessed before you can even begin to get to the question of value, which is a tough-enough question in and of itself, after all "value" is what someone is willing to pay. There are lots of "value guides" to be consulted, for whatever they're worth.

As to originality, the Light Eight was the bottom of the car line for Packard in 1932 so I don't think you need to be too concerned about a bogus upgrade (though conversion from a Light 8 coupe is not unknown), but you should establish if it was originally built as a roadster. Primary for this would be the vehicle number which should appear on the brass "patent plate" on the engine side of the firewall, I'll enclose a picture of what to look for. A true Light 8 roadster VN should begin with the digits 559 followed by an additional number of 11 or greater. Be a bit suspicious if the vehicle number plate is a new reproduction, though some owners seem to want a bright shiny new plate and discard the original (horrors!). Other useful numbers would be the motor number (left side on the aluminum portion) though that would only establish that the motor is a 1932 Light 8 motor, not that the car was originally a roadster. There is also a frame number near the left side rear spring shackle, again useful only as a sort of referee number is other numbers are suspicious.

Tell us more about the condition; original, restored and if so when and by whom if known, condition of paint, chrome, interior, and in particular the motor which can be quite expensive and difficult enough to have competently rebuilt here, much less overseas. And of course some nice detailed photos, exterior, interior, underhood, under body, etc.

The body is steel skin over wooden structure, and as such one of the most terrifying problems is to find the body looks great but you find the wood has deteriorated. Wood can really be best assessed by diassembling the body, but you can get a clue by opening the doors and seeing if they hang without sag, feeling the underside of the door wood for soundness, pulling some interior carpet and trim, etc. Beware though, bad wood = big bills.

BUT, what a great car, they handle well, can competently be driven at 50 mph regularly, and are a terrific looker!

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Thanks for the info. I will get the numbers you recommended as well as some detailed pics. In the meantime I have these pics.

Thanks again,

Darin

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Quote:
G'day Darrin,
to PackardInfo. Could you please include the '32 in the Owner Registry if you buy it together with a pic and any known history?

There is a decent one on sale at Significant Cars for $147K. I think for a nice one I would pay around $125-150K. A driver was sold in our area fro around 100K this looks above a driver condition.

One thing I noticed is the car may not had been restored to original. The dash has no wood graining, the door panel doesn't look correct. Also from all the 900 cars I have looked, this one has the golf door on the left side rather than the right.

Darin, the 1932 Light Eight factory brochure is on this website, you may want to download or view it for further information, specifications, mechanical details, etc. However please note that some pictured details may differ from the actual cars and the brochure was printed well in advance of any cars actually being assembled.

As to our diversion into "dickey seats", the last use I'm aware of in a stock-bodied car was the postwar Triumph roadsters.

Ken
That last photo may be flopped. Note also the rumble seat step is on the driver side.

Thanks for all of the advice and help so far. The last photo I posted was borrowed from an article that was done on the car and was in fact reversed.

I was able to take some more photos and get additional info today. Unfortunately we were having a bit of a sandstorm and had to photograph what I could inside of the garage.

The present owner supposedly bought the car from an auction house in the UK approximately 8 years ago. I don't think he has ever driven it and most likely not seen it in several years.

It looks to me like the car was likely repainted on the frame shortly before the current owner bought it. There is overspray on the frame and springs. I would rate the paint and interior at a 6 or 7. The chrome looks about the same condition. The leather of the seats and the top are in as new condition.

The underside of the car looks like it could have been restored at some time but a long time ago. I was able to take a few shots while lying down in front of the car. The metal sheathing around the springs is rusted through on the bottom corners. I didn't see any other rust underneath. If I get the chance we will try to get it on a lift Sunday.

The engine compartment and engine look like they could have gone through a restoration possibly when the car was last painted.

There is a very interesting glass hood ornament that lights up blue. I haven't seen it in any photos of other cars but the wiring to it looks like it could be original.

The number on the plate on the firewall is 559 986 and says delivered 10 32.

The engine number is 36I793

My overall impression is that the car is a very nice looking driver. Here are the photos I was able to take today. Thanks again for everyones help in trying to establish a possible value for me.

Darin

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It is a very nice car, restored (as you have already stated) to a nice "driver." It would take a complete re-restoration to make this a show car, but you'd "restore all the fun out of it" by doing so.
The hood ornament is an aftermarket item by Lalique. It is probably worth a couple of thousand dollars by itself. NOT a particularly good looking ornament for the car, in my opinion. I'd put it on the book shelf and install a more appropriate mascot on the car.
I would say $100,000 U.S. would be a fair value on the car if your purpose is to use it as is. If you want to make it into a show car, then you're better off buying one already restored that way.

West,

Thanks for your help. If I buy it and decide to sell it down the road, is there a market or would I be a long term owner at 100k? The owner has a 32 lincoln KA roadster that I would like to try and package with this one. The Lincoln is also an older restoration but much nicer. I can't decide which car I prefer but was looking at the Lincoln pretty hard today.

Darin