(Model Body Number, not Chassis)

(####-#### Format)

1929

6th

333

626

Standard Eight Sedan

626

*MISSING*

*MISSING*

Current Owner

Dowagiac, MI

Good

SouthShoreMotors

Beverly Shores, IN

Excellent

167

Westminster Gray

Interior is the replacement that was done in 1960, during the car's first restoration. Currently, it is serviceable but worn, and while it was a very nice job for 1960, better quality restoration materials are available today through Hirsch and other suppliers. Samples of all the original materials were saved and will be used as the basis for matching when we get to refurbishing.

Between 2005-2007 the exterior was refinished, in the original color combination of Westminster Gray and Black, with a red pinstripe.

319 Cu In 8 Cyl

*MISSING*

3 Spd, Non-Syncro

Wire wheels

Purchased new in Chicago, the 626 was used to travel between the city and Niles, MI, where the owners had a country home. At some point, it was sold to a local farmer in the Niles area, who parked it in a field. The mileage at the time was quite low (less than 30k), however the car had suffered a carburetor fire, which may have led to it's retirement. In about 1959, Dale Lyons and his son Don of Dowagiac, MI rescued the car and did the first restoration, replacing the top, interior and paint. They did all of the work themselves the first in a long line of quality restorations by the Lyons. According to Don, for a few years, they drove it as a second family car-- it was "only" 31 years old! The Packard became a regular fixture in the Dowagiac Christmas Parade and found a permanent place in Dale's collection, even as he upgraded to rarer and more exotic classics. We learned of the car in the mid-90's and were charmed by its unpretentious dignity, and by then, well-used patina. The car stayed in Mr. Lyons' collection until after he passed away and we purchased it from the family in 2003. The 626 had not been driven much in th last few years of Mr. Lyons' ownership, so we spent the first few months just getting it back in running condition attending to fuel system, cooling system, brakes, etc. The interior was cleaned up, some of the wood trim refinished and broken hardware replaced or recast. Our goal was to preserve as much as possible, restoring only as necessary. After a couple of seasons' driving, we had most of the mechanical bugs worked out and proceeded with refinishing the exterior. The lacquer paint applied in 1960 was looking pretty rough by 2004. In the Lyons tradition, we did most of the work ourselves, with coaching and assistance from Bill Godisak, of SunRay Restorations in Dowagiac, MI. Bad wood framing was replaced and a few patch panels fabricated, but luckily the body and fenders were generally sound. In 2007, we got the Packard back on the road, looking much fresher than it had. The color, Westminster Gray, was matched to an original chip and the pinstriping duplicated from Packard documentation. The wire wheels were powder-coated and completed with a new set of blackwall tires. Future plans call for eventually reupholstering the seats and refreshing the engine with a new set of rings and a valve-job, but our immediate plan is to drive and enjoy it! We use the 626 as a regular weekend driver, for running errands, going to dinner with friends and local touring.