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

Hi all! I'm new here, but not new to the old car world. I've had a few old Fords and a Pontiac in the past/present, but have always wanted to get out of the main stream with a Packard. I especially like the look and lines of the pre-war models.

I'm in the Air Force, and spending time in Southern California for some training and have run across a 1941 Model 110 coupe that I have been eyeing and talking to the owner for a week or so. Now, I'm needing some thoughts from the experts! It's in decent shape, mostly complete. The engine is out of a '49 Chrysler (Spitfire 6), so I'd have to find an original Packard 6 sometime. It has rust at the back of the trunk and where the front fenders meet the body below the door hinges. The doors both currently sag, but I'm not sure if it is a hinge problem or something else. It runs and drives (although the trans is stuck in neutral at the moment) and could use a paint job. Front grill needs help and the edges of the fenders and body have filler on them, but I don't see any rot or damage from the back side. Interior is nice except under windows.

Does this sound like a reasonable project, given what it is and availability of parts, etc? I can pick it up for around $3000. Any thoughts would be appreciated!

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the non original motor at 3000 is a turn off for me....imho.

Quote:G'day Greg,
to PackardInfo. From your description the Coupe certainly "needs work" as the saying goes. But depending on your commitment, resources and abilities, and you having had other older cars certainly gives an indication it would be doable. Of course I am biased, owning a '41 120 Coupe myself!

And a request, if you purchase the Coupe and become a proud Packard owner, could you please include it in the Packard Owner's Registry here, together with a pic, any known history and how you acquired it?

You say that the trans is stuck in neutral. A common problem with these Packards was (& is) the trans locking up. Open the drivers side hood and see if the forward linkage to the trans is in a down position. If it is simply pull up on the linkage and set it even with the other linkage. Slow shifting will help prevent this problem. I have a '40 which does this sometimes if I shift too fast.

You can bet if I pull the trigger on this one, I'll get her registered right away! Thanks for the welcome!

Thanks also for the tranny tip, I'm going to give this a try today and see if I can take it down the road a short distance to get the feel of driving it. Yes, it bothers me that it's not the original engine, but I'm sure there is someone hotrodding a 110 out there that has an original engine to discard that I can get...I won't let that stop me. However, I will be another member of the purist club, so I'll have lots of questions to make this one correct again! I can already tell the original color was blue.

Thanks again for the tips!
Greg

if the engine is not right, how do we know the trans is original....could be a none Packard related reason why it is stuck.

Sounds like a good buy to me...original engine/tranny or not, but I'd offer him $2500.
That is a sweet model when finished correctly. It should not be too hard to find a 6 for it, and equipted with an overdrive, it'll go zoom.....!

Thanks for all the tips! It helps...

Ok, so another newbie question. There is also a 1940 Packard 110 Sedan nearby that has a freshly rebuilt original engine (at $5000), new brakes, new clutch, nice original wheels, decent chrome and interior. Needs paint and I'm not sure what else until I go see it this weekend. Asking price is $7200. Is the '41 coupe that much more desirable that IF money wasn't a factor (I wish!) the coupe is worth picking up with all it needs over $4000 more into a much farther along sedan? The coupe has a great look to it, and would be fun to drive! The sedan, however, is much farther along and in better shape. Any comments from you prewar guys??

Thanks again!

If you pick up an engin for the coupe and then have to rebuild it, you be better off with the sedan though I would prefer the coupe.

From my perspective Coupes always have had greater appeal than Sedans so, with money not being a consideration, the Coupe is the clear winner. But from the monetary, mechanical and finishing aspects the '40 110 Sedan appears a better proposition. However I'd still take the Coupe!