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I'm tossing around the idea of selling my 1950 Packard 8. It is the bare bones 8. 3 speed NO O/D, no radio 23k original miles. Interior is immaculate. Exterior is all original and by far not perfect. It's got scratches here and there are some paint chips etc. Car starts right up and drives. I take it for an occasional ride but it basically just sits.

It was owned by my grandfather and garage kept for 35 years and I took possession of it about 6 years ago. I'm trying to figure out what I could possibly fetch for it. I'm in the central NJ area. Thanks for any suggestions.

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A competent, professional appraisal would be in order for that car.

It appears to be a very solid original car, which is a rare thing in a 73 year old motor vehicle.

There are persons who can repair scratches ad chips in old paint jobs that are otherwise OK, and in many cases, minor blemishes on chrome items can be polished out.

If you have old paperwork and receipts related to the car, that may add interest and value, as might known history.

John,

If/when you sell your '50 Eight Touring Sedan, could you please advise so its Packard Vehicle Registry entry can be upated?

You have a very nice, original car, which any enthusiast would appreciate. Unfortunately, the series, body style, and options are all on the lower-demand side of things. I agree it would be worth it to get a professional appraisal as the ideal buyer would be a bathtub-era Packard enthusiast, that would pay more for an original, properly examined / documented car.

Outstanding interior

It would be possible and practical for a buyer to obtain and install a radio and overdrive. Not necessarily cheap, but do-able. Of course, many people today would not be interested in an original AM radio, and alternatives are available.

I don't see paying several hundred for an appraisal in this price range.

I usually use CAAAR but they don't cover this period for some unknown reason.
Hagerty shows a #3 - good condition at $15600. (1-4 scale)

I'd say that's generous and not out of the question to the right buyer. It's probably going to be hard to find that individual right now with the economy etc. Compare a victoria(convertible) sold for close to $40K recently.
eg: I'm watching an original '50 club sedan going to auction Sat to see how the market is for bath tubs.
This era has been depressed for a long time and not keeping pace with the current general collector trends, paying up for quality but not buying generally - price solid but increase in "no sales/pass" at auctions.
What happens is when inflation/costs rise, people ask more but the market may not bear.

If you are very lucky, you may find an interested and knowledgeable buyer in your immediate area.

It's more likely that you will have to deal with a buyer long distance.

In such a case, an expert, in-depth report with lots of photographs and a detailed, written description of the car's condition will be very helpful.

If you want to get a fair price for the car, condition is very important.

Another way to put the car before interested buyers would be to drive it to an antique/special interest car show in your area, if any are available.

Adverising the car on this website is another way to reach potential interested buyers.

A buyer wanting a car like yours will be keenly interested in minute details of the car's condition. Your car appears to be in exceptional original condition.

Accurately documenting that exceptional condition and presenting that documentation to an interested buyer is a good way to realize a fair price for the car.

Recommend advertising your Packard in Hemmings Online. Large audience (national and international), reasonable fee, space for many photos and narrative description. People who are looking to buy a vintage/collectable vehicle go to Hemmings. I had good luck selling my 115C convertible coupe and a super nice Model A roadster hot rod there. The 115C went to Belgium and the roadster went to a buyer in Plymouth, Mass. I live in Santa Fe, N. Mex. so market in my area is very narrow.

You might want to give bringatrailer.com a shot. Very reasonable in price and a very large audience.