I always find examining discontinued automotive brand’s model line-ups right before they disappeared for good to be a really interesting exercise. You look the car over and wonder what the executives and engineers were thinking at the point where that model rolled off the assembly line; you know, hope against hope that this model would be the silver bullet that would reverse the interminable slide. Found in Bellingham, Washington is just such a car, a 1953 Packard Mayfair two-door hardtop, available here on craigslist for a “realistic offer.” Thanks to Ikey H. for this tip.
Packard, whose catchphrase was, “Ask The Man Who Owns One”, was a significant luxury automobile manufacturer that existed between 1899 and 1958. While it managed to survive the Great Depression of the 1930s, Packard could not ultimately survive the onslaught of the Detroit Big Three; GM, Ford, and Chrysler. A last-ditch merger with Studebaker in 1954 just dragged out the end game. After 1956, Packard was no longer manufacturing its own cars opting instead to rebadge Studebakers with a Packard flavor and nameplate.
The Mayfair, featured here, was a mid-level, two-door hardtop produced between 1951 and 1953. First up of notice is the greenhouse of this two-door, it presents an open, airy, panoramic view, a design that was all the rage in the early 1950s. Good to see is that the glass of this Packard, which is probably very difficult to replace, appears to be all there and intact. Ditto the stainless trim, every bit of it looks like it is still attached where it belongs and is in pretty good shape. The same story for the complex grille, it looks complete and present in its entirety. Obviously, the finish has some problems as the paint is peeling in a lot of different places. The seller doesn’t speak to it but perhaps this denuding is the result of a poor repaint job.
The interior’s red leather interior shows pretty well in spite of the typical 1960’s style plastic seat cover protectors front and back. The dash, instrument panel, door cards, and headliner appear to need no more attention than maybe a good cleaning. The seller does offer that, “there is a small amount of rust in the driver’s side floor.” Unfortunately, there are no images of it or of the underside and “a small amount” of anything can be subject to interpretation.
Under the hood is a 180 HP, 327 CI in-line, eight-cylinder engine that is alluded to by the seller with that old saw, “Ran when parked.” Well, this Packard was parked in a chicken house 20 years ago so there’s no telling what’s going on mechanically. The mileage on this Mayfair is listed as only being 65,000 so it’s doubtful that the engine would be worn out but the sitting undisturbed for 20 years, and in a chicken coop no less, is cause for concern. If the motor is not locked up, it may still be serviceable. As a side note, auto historians tell us that part of Packard’s marketing problem was staying competitive in the engine department. While competing marques had moved to overhead-valve V8s by 1953, Packard was still motivating along, slowly, with a flathead in-line eight. Backing up that big hunk of iron is a Packard “Ultramatic”, two-speed automatic transmission.
So, what’s a reasonable price? The seller says he’s open to one, but if it doesn’t happen, he’s going to list this Packard on eBay. My thought is that he probably has a number in mind but doesn’t know if it is applicable or realistic for this rather uncommon car. Packards are hard to figure because they are not terribly common and they have been gone from the American automobile landscape for over 60 years now. There is a knowledge-base that exists, however, through the Packard Club of America which can be helpful with valuation, parts whereabouts and how-to-do-its. One of the first tenets to consider when pursuing a car like this Packard Mayfair would probably be to start with the best, complete example that you can find. Might this be it?
It’s maybe a five grand car.
https://www.hagerty.com/apps/valuationtools/1953-packard-mayfair
That’s exactly the number I was thinking before scrolling down to the comments.
Looks like a solid car with all the parts being there!! I’m not a packard guy but it’s a big old sled and should be saved!! I’m sure there are packard clubs to source parts and the front bumper alone makes me want the car!!!
I Agree to comments save car and restoreto original glory.
I love the sellers comments send me good offers or I will put this on ebay ….”Open to realistic offers before it goes on ebay.”
I not sure why but i was hearing the “don’t make me turn this car around” 😂
I suggest owner/ flipper research online price according to conditions and need to sell then price and save time and headaches.
The proverbial Ebay could be the best shot to target more buyers but fees will eat at profits. Hence research online ….
Seems like an empty threat to put it on ebay
I like it too, Tim. Reminds me of the ’52
Chevy that Dad and I pulled out of a
chicken coop in ’71. I paid a whole $10
for it and what I got was far much better
then I’d hoped for. After airing up the tires, adding fresh gas, and doing a full
tune up where the car was parked, we
actually DROVE it back to our house under its own power! Brakes? We didn’t
have any. We used the E-brake to both
slow down and stop. The whole process
of getting the car ready and getting it home took half a day at most. The old
nan I bought it from told me that he parked the car because the master cylinder had gone out and he didn’t
want to mess with it. Now this car, if
space, health, and cash permitted, you
bet your ass I’d buy it. Wouldn’t take long
to get the old girl running again. After that, you could finish her up as time and
your bank account would permit. These
cars were great cruisers and the ride was
was just terrific! The ran tirelessly with
the straight 8 engines sipping surprisingly
little gas. My ’50 limo got a very respectable 24-28 MPG on the highway
and 16-21 in town. Not bad for a 2 ton
car giving all that comfort. Since I owned
one, just ask me and I’ll tell you it’s worth it.
Ken,
Have a similar story of my barn find in 1992 in Idaho Falls for my 53 Packard Clipper sedan. Straight eight (288 cu.in.) all there except owners manual and one hubcap. Got it running 1st day, delivered by Vietnam Veteran for $200.00. Lots of long distance trips, good mileage and dependable. Had it until 2001 when forfeited it in divorce.
One of the better looking Packards of the era IMO.
People that would want this car, are fading fast. The ’53 and ’54 Packards were some of the worst sellers. Rumors of an all new Packard circled. I read, the ’55’s were supposed to be ’54’s, but delays and a strike, forced them to keep this style for another year and this out dated style went back to pre-war roots, Most others had V8’s. This still used the old tried and true in line 8. This Kanter in NJ, has all the mechanical parts, other stuff could be tough, they weren’t that popular to begin with. I just don’t see much of a future for great, less than desirable classics like this that need everything.
Looks like a 52. Grill is a 52, hood ornament in 52 would be the tall-winged cormorant, this one is from a 53 which went streamlined. Body number 2577 indicates the 25th series which was 1952 and the 77 was the 250 Mayfair Sports Coupe. Ask the man who owns one…
Wonder if its titled as a ’53 by mistake, or was sold in late ’52 as a ’53 model by a desperate dealer? Neat car though…wish it wasn’t so far away from me.
Kind of looks like it got stung multiple times by bees…
I love Packards, and this may be my fav model/year combo. But whomever decides to buy this one better not be planning to flip for a profit. Really nice drivers go for only $13-$15k. Rebuilding that engine alone can add $5k to your cost right off the bat. And the electrical & hydraulics after being in a barn for 20 years? It must be tackled for the love of the car, and not for the profit. GL!
This one looks like most of the troublesome bits may be present. The aforementioned Kanter is a great resource for Packards, even beyond mechanical parts. Others include Max Merritt south of Indianapolis, Tucson Packard, and there’s a Packard-specific eBay seller that ships from a Chevy dealer in SoCal…
I had a ’54 Packard that I got running after it had sat for 20 plus years. When I pulled the head off there was no wear at the top of the cylinders. The worst I had to deal with was a couple of stuck valves. So don’t go thinking rebuild, these old engines are stronger than you think. After all, it is a Packard, of higher quality than others of its era. Ask the man who owned one.
There have been two Packards of similar vintage for sale off and on, posted locally on Craigslist. One is a Mayfair, the other is a 200(?) Better condition than this one and unable to sell for $3500-$4500 obo.
If you love Packards here’s another what looks to be a fairly easy project unless the engine is history, the transmission is dead and so on. I am a Packard enthusiast and I don’t care about their upside values, if any. I have a 1953 underway as a project and I’m negotiating for a barrelback station wagon that needs help. So i would try for this if I had the time and the room which I don’t. If you love Packards, buy this and save it. They were wonderful cars.
Nice……
This is a 52′ not a 53′ Later……………………..JIMMY
I like comments suggesting just drive it and enjoy it. ie: Every old/vintage car purchase doesn’t have to be as an investment. These big cruisers are fun and comfortable to drive, so why not own them for that reason alone? They’ll always draw attention just by being vehicles so much different looking – better looking to my mind – than the cookie-cutter designs produced today.
Definitely a ’52, confirmed by the data plate. It also has extra scuppers on both sides. Should have 3 and not five. I can’t tell if the paint is peeling because of a poor repaint in the past or if the car has been stored in a humid environment. If so, I wonder about the condition of the rest of the car (underframe, floor pans, body mounts).
The one poor picture of the engine shows that it’s the wrong color, and the air filter and other canisters are painted blue. The upper radiator hose is not original either. So all that makes me wonder what else is going on under the hood.
The car is in my state so I was interested in it, but it appears that offers are above 3K now and that’s more than I want to pay for a big project. Yes the interior is nice, but this thing could easily cost upwards of 15K to restore.
This car is Hen Pecked. Like me.
Non runner. Lots of work and money needed.
I think its worth maybe a Grand.And thats after an inspection and all the eggs are removed.
Mabe just a parts car.
Ask a Man who has never owned one.