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There is to me, a very valuable lesson in the form of a 1956 Packard Patrician for sale on e-Bay. I first was tempted by this turquoise and white beauty when some one here mentioned it being on the Orange County CA Craigslist. That posting included 4 pictures of it sitting in rather high grass, tail up nose down, with white wheels and no wheel covers. The interior looked pretty good. It was not running but it was claimed it wouldn't take much to make it so. The price was $1,500 - FIRM!. I was really tempted but didn't. It sat like that on renewed postings for 5 weeks.
Yesterday, I noticed the car on e-Bay. The owner had it towed to a shop where it was placed in running order. It is claimed to do everything but stop. The brakes, you know.
It was also treated to a clean up, wheel covers attached and the current bidding is up to $3,100 on 13 bids. It looks really good.
It proves to me that if I were to sell one of my cars, I'd take the extra time to make sure it ran and at least give it a good detailing. How many times have I seen cars listed that look like hell, not washed, interiors filthy. You have to wonder - if they are "easy to get running" then why aren't you making it run?
If one of the bidders is here on the list - I hope you get it - it looks like a beauty. To me, it will be the one that got away.

+1

Who in their right mind is going to pay much for a car that isn';t running? Harder to judge, harder to get home.

Specially puzzling when the needed repair is said to be minor.


Maybe we should develop codes for some of these situations.

NOCOMM Impossible to reach

WIFESELL Trying to show his wife he is working to sell it.

SMALLBUG Needs only a trifling repair to function perfectly

RARE Overpriced

REBUILT Once you get it to actually run it should....

REDUCED Still overpriced

From Hemmings:

1954 Packard: 327 engine, automatic, PS, PB, air condining, excellent condition, very good providence, owned by the founder of the Packard club, excellent maintenance

It came from Rhode Island?

Would be nice if they'd tell you which model! Maybe a Cavalier (5472)? They are just 1 notch down from the Patrician and are very nice vehicles, though lacking the top-of-the-line elegance of fabrics and materials (and of course the 359 engine) of the Patricians. And quite limited production to boot.

Quote:


About an hour and a quarter left to go on the '56 and it's up to $4,101 - with paint missing on the roof and water stains on the upholstery! It is now running - it just won't STOP! Five weeks stuck at $1,500 when it didn't run. I'd guess the seller is going to get the mechanic's bill out and then some.
It does look good except for the top and they say the pushbutton transmission works.