Imagine looking into the gloom of an old muffler shop and seeing the dusty shapes of old cars and piles of parts. In the midst of all this sits a red Packard Convertible. What’s not to love about a classy red convertible, even covered in dust and partially disassembled? The restoration was apparently started and then abandoned decades ago. It looked nothing then like it does now in the listing on Craigslist. The seller has really cleaned it up and also done a lot of mechanical restoration work. It runs and drives and stops now. The power steering works, the brakes are good, the suspension is tight and the exhaust is good. Unfortunately, the hood doesn’t match, the paint has problems, it needs upholstery, carpet, and a top as well. The top shrunk while it was stored. Also, the fuel gauge and wipers don’t work. The top bows are all there and the electric motor seems to be good, but the top does not operate. The asking price is $8900. It’s located in Belchertown, Massachusetts, near Springfield.
The upholstery looks beyond repair but at least the ground isn’t showing through the floor. Hopefully, the floor is solid under the Dynamat.
Here’s the big 327 CID flathead eight. Except for that plastic fuel filter, things under the hood look amazing. The engine runs well now after a tuneup. The Ultramatic transmissions have a great reputation but this one was not working when found, as the flexplate was not bolted to the torque converter.
And there’s the rub, and the puzzle, as it were; the peeling paint. This Packard was apparently painted in lacquer decades ago. There is a similar problem on the right-hand side as well. The rockers have been replaced, but they are riveted in place. The floors were patched and there was work done on the quarters. It could cost at least as much as this car is worth to restore it completely. Here’s a similar driver quality car listed on eBay for $49,500, but that doesn’t mean there’s anyone willing to pay that much money for it. Perhaps if the buyer was to spend another $8,000 to $10,000 on upholstery, carpet, top, paint and bodywork to make this drop-top a really nice driver for a reasonable investment. Packards are not as popular as other cars of the era, but these are really grand old sleds. I would fix the wipers and drive it like it is. The rest could be taken care of over time. If the Craigslist ad disappears, you’ll find it on Adsaver.
To state the obvious – seller makes the cliched comment “They’re only original once” but this car lost it’s originality so many years ago . . . you have to wonder why he brought it up.
Because people are dumb?
the ’53 listed on ebay was bid up to $37k but did not meet reserve. that’s a hint at what the market would bear. to me the ’53 looks a lot like the rear end of a Checker and this ’54 has a much nicer rear end design. still i doubt you could buy this one for $8k and get it to look as nice as the turnkey ’53 for an additional $30k.
having been found in Connecticut and with a Purdue univ parking sticker on it i would be very concerned about rust. thorough inspection is due…..
Don’t ever use bids where the reserve is not met as an indicator of value or interest – with online auctions whether eBay or Ching-A-Trailer shill bidding is rampant and live auctions use “chandalier” bids to get close to the reserve so an observer never knows what the real interest is.
Ok, what’s a “chandelier “ bid? Also think Caching-A-Trailer might be more on the mark. I’m dumbfounded by some of the prices some people at for some vehicles.
“Chandelier Bid” – the term might have been coined by Keith Martin, he certainly popularized it in his rag. It refers to an auctioneer simply pulling bids out of the air, bids that no one is really making. The joke is that it was the chandelier the auctioneer was looking at when he announced the bid. It’s legal in a reserve auction to use chandelier bids up to almost the reserve but beyond that, it’s a no-no. BJ got caught chandelier bidding a Bugatti Veyron once in Las Vegas, illegal and wrong as it was an alleged “no reserve” auction and in an attempt to save face, Craig Jackson .wound up buying the car. And, Dave T – obviously you don’t know Spanish, or at least Mexican slang!
Call me partial (a 1950 Packard owner for 30 years) but I think, for an early 50’s car, this is really a sharp car. Sadly, the straight 8 by ’54, while still an incredibly smooth running motor ( you could balance a nickel on the head while idling) was out of date, and the company was beginning to misfire anyway The new Packard V8 was too late, and never had a chance. New owner better re-direct that fuel line, very close to the exhaust manifold, and vapor lock was common, I know that from experience. Beautiful car here, and built like a tank, wouldn’t take much. I predict this car will be flipped several times.
I believe you’re correct, since the CL ad is gone someone has likely snapped it up.
These Mid-50’s Packard’s really are beautiful cars, especially the Caribbean models. Would love to own one, straight 8 or otherwise.
Looking good as is–fix the bugs and drive—-affordable for someone on a budget. hope it gets in the hands of someone who will enjoy it!!!
Good luck to the new owner!
Seeing that this car was discovered in a muffler shop, I believe that it could turn into a very “exhausting “ restoration!
Packard made some nice cars.
Make sure it runs and stops, throw some Mexican blankets over the seats and drive the wheels off it. Good luck with the sale.
Decent price but drive train issues and a strip down to metal needed to stop bleeding of old lacquer.
I see it as a decent price .
The top is needed as well as seat covers.
If you have access to a good local reasonable upholstery shop see him 👍👀
My guy passed away ten years ago and he was reasonable and very good.
The ones I find these days are workers not
Real upholstery guys who state bring me this brand top and I will put it on for 💰
Apparently sold as the listing has been deleted.
Great deal for the asking price !
This car is an incredible find. The end of an era. Class. Drive it as is. Love it to death. And I’m looking for an old convertible too. Sheesh. How could I loose?
I always enjoy reading the blowviated descriptions BF writes on these vehicles.
Not a 327 engine, in 1954 it was increased to 359 Cu In., also had an alloy cylinder head. This one has the cast iron 327 head, so it’s easy to mistake as a 327.
From reading all of the ads I conclude as follows: 1) The car received no bids. 2) the $37,125.00 is what the seller set as the opening bid price. 3) The $49,500.00 is what he wants for the car. 4) The car is grossly overpriced. 5) Seller is a dreamer.
The one listed for $8,900.00: 1)The seller arrived at the psych unit the same time as the owner of the $49,000.00 asking Packard. They would not let the $8900.00 seller in. 2) We don’t know whether the$8900 car sold, but it may have since it was withdrawn from Craig’s. However that could be because he decide Adsaver was a better venue. 3) It is refreshing to see a car listed for a reasonable price. 4) I like the car and feel it could be brought up to snuff for little jack provided buyer didn’t go ape poop.
Gerry Lee Goshorn
Hey,what about the TITLE?
WHERE IS IT?
WITHOUT ONE WHY SHOULD I BUY?