Packard Forum Index » Packard Vehicles - For Sale, Wanted, Trade

My mother's husband has a home project that he's been working on for decades, but he's beyond age to finish it, and it's time to sell his retirement investment. I have no connection to this car, and want nothing from it. All that is left to finish on the car is the upholstery. 6 grand and a few weeks. I'll try to post a pic of it. I've been naive in the attempts so far, to find out what they want to do with it, not knowing much about pre-war cars before diving into this one.

Our getting it finished and ready for Bonham's or the like, is out of the question, without a middle man to handle all the logistics. This is no ordinary 840, acccording to the owner. It's also new to the collection market, as he's done all the work on it, himself. I also realize, that there are dime store salesmen in the mix, who would want to steal this investment. Especially, if it turns out to be a one off, worth 6 figures. We have no idea. I just want some honest ideas of how to validate this cars history, and rarity level, with some suggestions of it's potential worth. There is also a full drive train, with enough parts for another engine, full set of brakes, another trunk. Lots of spare parts.

If anyone has contacts to someone in the Seattle area, who would have a better knowledge of what this could be worth, and can come over to look at it, take pics, video, whatever, and suggest an avenue to sell it, suggestions would be appreciated.

David.

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Hi Grazhopprr, welcome to PakardInfo.com.
Take a look at -> this page to get a first general overview.

Yeah, I've seen those price ranges, which only adds to the confusion of how rarity and type are somewhat subjective in the price ranges. If I can find someone who can do a research chart on this particular car, that would help. Wondering if there is someone in the pre-war expertice, that can be tapped for this.

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Most certainly, and it definitely looks nice, but no one could tell you whether it's worth 30k or 300k without seeing LOTS of photos of the work, as well as the best history and info you can get about the custom work. Provenance and experience is everything for that, as there are more incorrect restorations out there than correct ones.

It is rare, and it's a great car. But ....

1. amateurish restoration that does not stand up to inspection
2. unfinished
3. poor choice of colors
4. not running
5. a very downtrodden market right now, especially for project cars.

The fact that it's an 840 makes it much more desirable than an 833, but it's still a relatively staid phone-booth-style coupe (versus the much more desirable one-year-only 1934 coupe).

In my opinion (as a professional appraiser, with lifelong family ownership of prewar Packards), and based on the above 5 criteria, I'd say its value is in the neighborhood of $35,000. The value will increase with each of the five points proven wrong.

Jay Leno already has a 1932 coupe (a Twelve), and I strongly doubt he'd be interested in this car. Carini would be interested ... at a give-away price.

It would also be more helpful to know exactly what parts and condition. Is spare engine complete? Worn out? Need many more photos of the car and the parts. Also, location.

The Packard world, and the classic/antique world is a LOT bigger than the basic cable package TV personalities you mention. Both of those gentlemen are good people, and both really know their stuff about the cars they deal in, but they aren't the world's only authorities on the subject or the only persons worth talking to in regard to such a car. As West said, his five points going against it are some pretty hard realities in this car's case.

I made an edit in the original post, asking if anyone knew someone in the Seattle area, who could come look at it.

My ignorant representation of it, is by no means equal to someone physically inspecting the vehicle. Those 5 points made, from my ignorance and a single picture, don't answer my needs for advice on who can help move this car to someone who can appreciate it. Seattle area expertice would be nice.

My collecting focus has been 60s, with a passing interest in pre-war shows. I'm just trying to help a family member put some feelers out.

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I'm in the Seattle area (2 hours away) and could potentially come and gather pictures/video/information. I'm not an appraiser. But if knowledgeable people on the forum want to comb through the info, I could possibly gather and provide that info. Perhaps then we could suggest a more accurate valuation? Just a thought.

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He's in the Port Townsend area.