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

Saw this pop up on Ebay and it seems like a very reasonable or even low price, am I right on this?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1936-Packard-Twelve-Club-Sedan-V12-/120960992848?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item1c29d64650

at that price i'd be all over it like stink on poop! althought i'm no expert on this year/model. but if i had that much money...i'd hit buy it now.

It appears to be a very nice car. But I'd want some good solid information about why it needed an engine rebuild, and who did it, and how. There are plenty of stories of folks who bought a Twelve with a "rebuilt" motor who soon found it was poorly done and needed to be redone by someone who knew what they were doing. And a VERY expensive engine to rebuild properly; think in terms of $40,000 or more for a top-notch engine job, depending of course on what might be needed and how much you might do yourself (or the rebuilder allows you to do yourself and still retain his warranty.)

But when they are correctly sorted out for touring, there isn't much that can compare to the experience of driving a Packard Twelve. Personally I like the 36 seniors, last year for mechanical brakes, Bijur, beam front axle, etc. Sure, many will consider the 37 and up to be easier driving and better equipped for modern highways.

Wow, that does look cheap!

OD makes good points. Is it restored wrong? Looks like leather interior, missing anything, should it have covers on the side mounts, etc.

It seems like a great deal, and I really like the club sedan body.

I'm by no means an expert, but leather on a closed car? I've always seen cloth, except for the front seat in a limousine. Also, why no photos of the dash? Agree with Dave about the cost of a quality rebuild. I have two V-12's and two 356 I-8 witht he restorer, who says as a rule of thumb plan on $2,000 per cylinder.

Remember the old saying "If it's too good to be true, it probably is"? I'd be very wary here and wouldn't do anything unless i could see the car IRL, a pic and description wouldn't do anything for me, other than raise my suspicions further..

Quote:
From the eBay listing "...The interior was redone in vinyl to discourage moth damage by the Min. owner, it shows as it does in the photos, it is the weak point of the car in my opinion, but serviceable for touring. It was redone in the original proper pattern..."

Hi

Though I can't shed any light on the condition of the Twelve in question, I would emphasize that axiom that if the deal looks too good to be true, it probably is.

I can pass along that one of the principles of the enterprise is very well known to the collector car community in the area. To put it nicely, the man in question has a reputation that precedes him......but it's not a good one!

Just a viseral feeling, but I think the upholstery is vinyl, not leather. It's way too shiny and prefect. That's a $25K knockdown in price.

Caveat Emptor!

Steve

Apologies for diverting off-topic again, but the subject of leather interiors on closed cars is an interesting one. The car below is a 1932 904 (Super Eight) by Waterhouse, the only known closed Waterhouse body on a Packard chassis. As a custom, anything was possible and it originally had an all-leather interior, now restored. An exceptionally handsome car, IMO.

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