Packard Forum Index » General

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I am sure they are still in use. As Washing Machines, Metal Guard rails, & shell casings.

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That figure was for 50 1911 Brand X vehicles still in existence, not a grand total for all Packards divided by state.

Guys, that 53% figure is in a graphic published in 1956 by Packard, and used half-a-century later by Kanters onthe catalog cover.

So by 1956, only 1/2 of the Packards ever produced were left? That would be somewhere to start calculating then.

The picture on Kanter catalog was just a reprint of a Packard advertising piece. From the Picture archive here:

I remember reading in insurance co literature that after 10 years approx 10% are left as registered and on the road, of course that does not take in to account barn stored cars etc.

That photo dates from at least 1948, when the '48 Super Eight Convertible was pictured in the center of the photo. Packard added a new car every year. The last one featured a 1958 (!) model.

Just a short note to tell you that my Packard Registry in Spain has almost 100 Packards left in Spain in good condition (running condition), and perhaphs other ten non-running Packards.

Most of them are pre-war models, and I only have 11 post-war cars.

I believe the best way to estimate is to gather general member observations. Probably 3hree such observations from each state.

Here in middle TN. and over the last 12 years i can count 30 Packards. That would be for about 1/3 of the state. SO I would call it 90 for the state of TN.
Over the last 12 years i've been thru nearly every county in middle Tn. on several occasions each county. However, i'm sure that there are other Packards out there i've never run across. Many of the 30 i've counted thus far were only discovered by happenstance while pursueing other bussiness.

The problem is that with recent scrap metal prices it is strictly guess work as to how many went to the crusher. Of the 30 i've counted so far i would think that only about 12 of the 30 were well wasted enuf to go to the crusher.

My guess would be at least 5000 extant. Perhaps as many as 30,000

Over the years i've ran into the following example several times among different badges:

I know of a 37 Buick that has been kept in a garage since 1983 (27 years). I know it's still there because i talk to the owner on occasion from time to time about other bussiness. He won't sell it. Since it is local i am fairly certain that only his son i and the owner are the only people that know about it. THis is based on other incidences that i won't go into. He won't sell it and won't do anything with it. It's a fairly nice car.

Ditto for other incidences of vintage tin such as an L29, Cushmans ( many), HD's, Indians, a 56 Olds and a somewhat recent 41 pACKARD convert/coupe among others.

There are also situations where collectibles are kept secret from family members, especialy wives and girl friends. Mostly includes guns, Motorcycles. AND a few cars. Usualy kept out and away from view and for a long time.