Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

I'll be the first to admit this a cool, rare car. 1948 custom 8 club coupe missing some trim. But $5,500 cool? I'm not drinking this koolaid. What do people here think this car is worth in present condition? Not running, all there, needs a total restoration. I guesstimate you'd need $30-$40K to fully restore this car, and would it be worth it? Maybe not....

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I'm lousy at prices so won't hazard a guess but the fastback seems to be in fairly high demand lately and it is a Custom which as you said, makes it one of the rarer cars. Depending on the mechanicals and their condition and the quality restoration you are aiming for, the cost estimate might be low. I think someone mentioned 2500 just to do the engine and those radiators seem to be over 1k. In todays market, probably never get it back but who knows.

You'd definitely not make a return on that investment. It's a Packard, unless it's a very very rare model/prewar pre-depression car, the market probably won't allow anything close to a return on investment, let alone a profit. But if you don't care about that, and you have loads of cash and time and a place to store it, then I'd say go for it. You're easily at $10,000 on work-paint, mechanicals, interior, etc. And that's if you do it yourself.

I'd prefer not to get into estimates but from a personal perspective, I wouldn't pay $5,500 for that car. I think your guesstimate on restoration isn't far off the mark depending on all the variable factors involved in restoration such as degree of originality desired, do-it-yourself vs contracting the various restoration jobs, etc.

You did say it's 'all there' but indicated it's missing some trim. I don't know from experience but I have heard that trim for this model (Club Sedan) can be difficult to get. Does it have the original door panels with the pearwood inserts? Door hardware, e.g., window cranks, door handles, etc? None of this stuff comes cheap.

I fear you would be upside-down long before the restoration is completed. Having said that... I will be upside-down in all my Packards but I didn't buy them as investments.

A very cool car... I can only hope that a deep-pocketed Packard Purist picks it up and fully restores it back to factory original. Thus spake Pollyanna.

I agree with everything you all have said. I just wanted to be sure my gauge wasn't off, despite the rarity of this car. I don't have loads of $, nor a great place to store it. On second glance, I realize the car is not described as being "all there", which means significant and important trim pieces that could be costly may be missing.

Ok, not running (I would guess that the engine is seized by the pic), not complete, needs total resto... Half what they are asking and they trailer it to your house! I agree with the other guys, this is a project for someone that would want to keep it and has some deep pockets.

Dear Custom 8:

I wouldn't give him anything above scrap value.

If it is low mileage then the trans is the most valuable part of the car.

The block is probably in bad shape and what other parts on it are worth anything?

Offer $100 over tow away if you really want it.

Other than that it is a very expensive headache.

You'd be better off spending your money on preserving a nice original, nice driving, good running 288.

Cheers

I know most hate to hear it, but this is a good candidate for a hot rod. Nice stylish body, sell the motor and trans to people who need it for nicer cars, fill in the trim holes to give it a clean look and avoid buying trim, and drop a nailhead or maybe a caddy or BOP motor in with an OD automatic, and cruise with A/C in style, 12 volts and fm radio and all. I wouldn't even change the front to a mustang II, just put radials on.

When you're done, it would be worth maybe 10-15k and you'd have that in it. If you restore this car, as others said, you'll be more than upside down. Rodding it would be easier, cheaper, and funner to drive. Sad that it's a custom 8 coupe and it got to this condition.

It's been said around here a lot that you should buy the best car you can afford to start with. As a guy with 5 projects on his hands, that's some of the best wisdom i've heard, as it would have avoided the work on a few of these projects, and money in the long run.

Thanks everyone. You all offer such sage advice, and yet I've caught a very strong curiosity bug on this car (a bad sign, for sure). Of course I asked the owner for additional shots to gain a better understanding of what this project would entail. After receiving some very illuminating pictures (posted below), the picture ain't pretty at all. Two good size dents on the left side, many door handles, panels, window cranks, radio, antenna, knobs, exterior chrome trim not accounted for...where do I stop? All reason and common sense say WALK AWAY. And yet...uh....

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Thanks for the additional pix. $500 tops!

Craig