- Seller: Jackson F (Contact)
- Location: Arroyo Grande, California
- Mileage: 00000 Shown
- Chassis #: 12939
- Title Status: Clean
- Engine: 245cui L-Head Inline-6
- Transmission: Manual
Volumes have been written about Packard’s 1950s downfall, and while few blame the corporation for moving the brand downmarket to weather the Great Depression, many fault its reticence to move back upmarket following World War II. Be that as it may, Packard’s middle-priced offerings, such as this 1941 One-Ten Club Coupe, still have the same family look and build quality for a fraction of the price of their big Packard Eight and Twelve linemates. This example is being offered as a Barn Finds Exclusive in Arroyo Grande, California, and with an asking price of $9,900, it may be one of the best bargains going in Packards.
One of the nice things about Packards is that it’s easy to learn about your car, as people have been collecting them for almost a century. This car was sold in California in January of 1941, certainly a tumultuous time in American history. It’s fascinating to think about what it’s been through, as it was almost certainly the last car someone bought before America’s entry into World War II.
The One-Ten models were powered by a 245-cubic-inch, 100-horsepower L-Head six. The seller says that the car “has been sitting for many years,” but given California’s forgiving climate for collector cars, it’s possible that a points file and a gallon of carburetor dip will be all you’ll need to get the big six purring again. Of course, anything’s possible in the world of collector cars.
One of my favorite lines from Packard’s sales catalog tells you how far cars have come in 85 years: For chassis lubrication, “there are only 15 points on the whole chassis at 1000 mile [intervals], four at 10,000 mile intervals.” If my math is correct, and I like to think that it is, that means you’ll be busy giving a shot of grease to 19 fittings at oil changes.
The One-Ten was offered in several body styles; this example is a Club Coupe, which had a back seat (unlike the Business Coupe) and a slightly racier roofline than the two-door “Family Sedan.” The interior is not upholstered in its original fabric, but it should clean up enough to be presentable as a nice driver. If not, the bench seats shouldn’t be too challenging for a good upholstery shop.
One thing that the new owner might want to consider is a color change. Chances are good that this car was refurbished in the 1950s or 1960s, and the salmon-and-white two-tone paint dates it. In some of the pictures, the firewall appears to be a pretty dark green (Grove Green, perhaps?), and that would be a beautiful color to paint this stately old Packard. Of course, the choice is up to you, but if you’ve always fancied a Packard, but you don’t have the kind of money for one of the Pebble Beach show winners, make an offer here on Barn Finds.
That’s a real cool looking car. But bear in mind, if you paint it you will not be happy with the chrome. You can clean a lot of the chrome up, but it’s very expensive to rechrome, at least in Connecticut.I just got a GMC hood emblem back today, $500. I might be OK with the flat head for a while, but I’ll always want more power. And the interior needs a complete redo. Dracula’s coffin looks more inviting than this.
Please keep it stock, right down to choice of fabrics for interior. Great find!
Being a truck man VS a car person, this Packard is a very neat entry level vehicle into the Classic car world at just under $10k. I would leave it stock!! Although you would probably have to double that for the good paint job it needs. After a good check up of the running gear it will make a great car to take to local shows, Cruise Ins, and Cars and coffee
neat car but i can’t see there is a big following though
A big plus is that it’s apparently pretty much all there, especially the chrome. Too bad the plastic around the dash does what age and heat causes it to do. Nice find!
These colors a reminiscent of a taxi cab.
I love Packards, and I’m not averse to acquiring one. But investing in the rehabilitation of this one would be a bit much for me.
This is the problem with this Packard as I see it. The purchase price will probably be less than the cost of refurbishing. Notice I said refurbishing not restoring. That is unless you just want to have an old pre war car to drive around and you just do what it takes to make it roadworthy. But if you’re not willing to live with the frumpy interior, needy trim and awful paint then you probably shouldn’t buy this one. Paint, chrome and upholstery will quickly become expensive. And to do it right you have to be willing to address all three. As far as the mechanicals go; well maybe you get lucky and maybe you don’t. You can be sure that there will be plenty to fix just to get the car back on the road in a reasonably safe and reliable condition. Given what a turnkey Packard like this will sell for in today’s shrinking market for cars of this era; it’s probably not going to happen for this vehicle. Too bad really. It’s a solid West Coast car with potential. There is just too much to do to make any economic sense. Well GLWTS anyway.
CB I agree with you on the financial aspects. If this were a convertible at that price, however, I’d be all over it.
This car has got to be the first prize winner in the ” worst ever door panel upholstery replacement ” !
There’s Maroon on the door frames and the green under the hood. Two tone of that would be beautiful..Or even the cream with the greenor maroon would be sweet too. Beautiful car once the peach color is gone or clear coated if you like that..
I hope it’s saved either way.
Why is it an L head? The Chrysler L heads had the water outlet housing coming off the front of the head at a 90 degree angle from the radiator.
Carbob, I have to agree with you. This Psckard is too nice and too.complete to join its long-dead builders; but that said, it also needs too much to even be affordable at this price. If you simply refurbish the mechanicals, then you will have an eyesore driver that looks for all the world like something you hauled out of a dump. You cannot make either the body or the interior even presentable, without a complete restoration of both. Admittedly, you have good “bones” here to work with; but once you re-paint, re-chrome, and totally restore the interior, you’ve bought the car twice and thrice. Sadly, prewar cars simply don’t command that level of investment. If your Dad drove one of these until he traded it in in 1949, and it was your absolutely favourite ride as a child, and money is no object, well then, take the plunge and have us all admiring your results some time next year. But for everyone who lacks a deep and abiding attachment to this particular “entry” model, this Packard falls into that “What do you DO with it?” category. Worse, it is hideous as it looks now. Good LUCK with this one!