And now for something from the “What in the Sam Hill happened here”? department. An old Packard is always an exciting find, and if you think about it, they’re all old, but I mean one that I would consider to be a classic like this 1936 Model 120. The seller states, “This is a project car” which may be the understatement of the year – but let’s see what’s really going on here. Auto searcher T.J. found the listing for this sedan that is “relaxing” in the Arvada, Colorado sunshine and is available, here on craigslist for $4,750.
From Packard Motoring FDN we learn, “This car (120) production started in 1935 and continued through 1937, it was reintroduced in 1939 and continued till 1941. It was the first medium-priced Packard car, marking the luxury carmaker’s foray into the highly competitive mid-priced eight-cylinder car market. Packard enthusiasts consider it as the first step towards the car losing its control of the American luxury automobile brand“. But, it was a sign of the times too as the great recession was raging on and big luxury cars were a tough sell. They still sold to the better-heeled but not like they had in earlier times.
A few quick observations about this Packard, note the railroad tie front bumper, apparently, this car was a “pusher” at a racetrack somewhere in its past – seems like an ignominious assignment for what was once a grand automobile – fortunately, it didn’t end up in a demolition derby. The seller mentions that he has the proper bumper. The body is actually better than it initially appears. There is a lot of surface rust present, and a dent or two, but the overall structure looks to be pretty sound. The very distinctive Packard grille is tarnished but but doesn’t show as damaged. There’s lots of broken glass and missing running boards but there’s still a workable basis here.
A ’36 Packard Model 120 came with a 120 gross HP, 282 CI straight-eight and the seller mentions that this car still possesses a straight-eight engine and it’s not stuck! OK, good start but there’s no information other than that – not the best way to market a car. Another place where we’re coming up short is inside and I’m going to have to skip an interior review as there are no images or mention of its condition. I would imagine broken windows aren’t doing it any favors though.
It’s discouraging to see how far the mighty have fallen but I don’t think the show is over for this big sedan. Packard produced about 55K Model 120s in ’36 so this isn’t really a rare or unknown automobile. It’s safe to say that a Packard is a highly desirable and appreciated marque, and as rough around the edges as this one is, here’s to hoping that it has better days ahead, right?
That would make such a cool street rod. Would definitely have to go with a big block though.
A LS will fit nicely, more efficient and way more street able horsepower is available for nominal costs.
Ah, the Chevy LS. The belly button of car engines.
Read my mind on this one. If the V8s don’t fit how about the big BMW 6. Lots of power and would be an easy fit.
I agree, drop it on a 2WD, never mind make that a 4WD Escalade chassis and get that 6 litre blown
It be a great Wedding limo rental 😉
I hope it gets restored original.
Its never going to be a race car so a straight 8 is fine in my book.
Interesting thing about these is the engine compartment is very narrow, putting a wide Mill is diffficult to maintain the factory nose. Friend of mine made a packard roadster out of a bunch of pieces and used a 6 cyllinder falcon Engine and c4. It ran surprisingly well in the Heavy packard! This one looks pretty solid! Good luck and happy motoring!
Cheers
GPC
A Packard is always majestic. Whatever the age or model.
That’s been abandoned there for ages, going by the wheel’s descent into the ground. How’s it not $100 rather than $5000? Just get rid of it so’s it’s no longer your problem.
Cummins 3 valve swap
4
The body looks quite solid on the outside. With missing windows and top insert the inside is probably where the rust lives. It might make a cool streetrod if it’s not too far gone underneath. I agree about the engine bay. I have a 350 Chevy in my 40 Packard sedan and some of the AC, power steering reservoir, steering shaft, etc required some creative engineering.
Mine is for sale on Craigslist Grand Rapids, Michigan. Love this site.
A Falcon engine? Really? If that’s the
case, then you could very well use a
300 cube Ford 6 and a C-6 tranny. Those old sixes can make a boatload
of power and a lot of torque too. Small block Chevies are fine, but you
don’t have to put ’em in everything. And if anything, that should lighten the car by maybe 200 pounds or so.
And as for the rest, build it with what
ever you can find. That’s how we built
’em in the old days.
Cummins diesel.
$100.00.My final offer.
But what if he accepts hour offer?
It’s a cool old sedan but I can’t see anybody sinking 30 or 40K into it and a bunch of time, let’s hope that I’m wrong…
These 36-40 Packards 120s come up surprisingly often, but they’re always sedans that are too far gone and are barely good as parts cars…And everyone asks $4000-5000 for them.
The second most common are the 48-50 bathtubs. Rarely do you see a solid one worth saving. I bought a couple several years ago for $1250 each just because they had nice interiors and titles, but I probably overpaid LOL. There’s such a small market for them beyond shade tree daydreamers…
Leave it as original as possible for a unique driving experience. All the SBCs drive the same and don’t get a second look at car shows.
SG is right; it’s a parts car. So let’s see, what parts are salvageable? Tail light lenses. On second thought, call the scrapper.
O lets do this lets do that sorry it not going to happen maybe 10 years ago but it not worth throwing 50k or 60k pop cans
Be a Fun car to restore if the price was lower. Otherwise it will take a boatload of cash to bring it back. Wonder where he found a price guide for this one. Looks to be in pretty rough shape for the price.
Rat Rod
With rats included.
I have written about this before Jan 22, 2021 and before that too.
My grand parents purchased a second hand 1936 Packard 12 7 Passenger Sedan from a National Park business. What business, I am not sure nor am I sure of which Nat’l Park.
They purchased it I believe in 1938, maybe it was just too old by then.
It was a beautiful car.
I have always liked a Packard, childhood memories, I guess !!! (as I stated April 2020 in BF.)
My grandmother sold it for $50 when I was 12 and that was unfortunate.
My grandmother invented the automatic transmission, she never used a clutch, ever.
She was a very short lady, and by sitting on cushions and phone-books (what are those?), she could see between the dash and top of the steering wheel to drive.
Either my Dad or my grandfather attached wooden blocks on the brake and gas pedals which allowed her feet to be used.
I never did see a wooden block on the clutch, and thus she never made any attempt to use the clutch.
Memories can be great, if you only remember the good ones.
What have ya got? That doesn’t look so bad from a distance.
Complete and untouched. These straight 8 cylinders run very
smoothly and powerfully. If I were in the neighbourhood I
would take a look at it.
You don’t put a primitive chevy engine like that in something
like this – an inline 8 has a completely different class present,
but there are people who don’t know anything better. I drove
a Packard and uphill at 8° it went in the 3rd gear without
hassle and down to 30 Km/h and accelerated like the long
stroke Jaguar engine.
There are many theories why Packard went of business the year I was born. The last CEO James Nance ran the company into the ground. Packard quality was far superior to any junk GM, Ford and Chrysler made. Sad. Stand next to a Packard engine running and you can’t hear it.
Yard art. Sell off some parts, if you are in the Packard biz, and you have a space for it, maybe a grand, these days that’s pushing it.
This ‘37 is a 120, which has the straight eight engine, which gets a longer hood and front fenders, leaving plenty of room for a V8, as in a 1956 Packard, 376ci dual quad Caribbean V8! Get the adaptor for a torqueflite 727 transmission. To the V8 add an updated oiling system, some used BB pistons and it’s claimed you you can make a 500ci Packard V8.
For the body, which appears to have perfect fenders and no rust through, let’s get out the buffer and go crazy. Buff up what’s left of the black paint, and grind on the primer and bare metal until it shines! Don’t get close to this Packard with that crappy clear paint! Pile on the Harly (NOT Harley) pure Carnauba Wax until dirt & water can’t stick to it. Replace the glass and rubber seals, rebuild the stock brakes, fluid and grease for wheel bearing and seals, don’t forget the rear end service. Clean & buff the stock wheels and fit them with some Coker Blackwall radials, don’t paint the wheels Apple green, please. The springs have likely sagged enough it will sit just right with those fat radials, but you can always remove a leaf if you need to.
Get that front bumper on, do some steel wool on those grill louvers and chrome/stainless trim, throw some blankets over the seats, load everybody up and prepare to make a grand entrance at the local cruise night.
The TQ kit, and tires will be the most expensive part of this build ($2500) but if you and a buddy can wrench, you could buy and build this for just less than $10k!
Not every build needs disc brakes a small block Chevy and a Ford 9”.
Just drive it!
There’s a fair amount of wood construction in these. Anybody mention that?
I don’t understand the negative comments. If folks don’t have interest, time, or money for a project like this, just leave it alone. The car looks straight and solid–no rust-through visible at all. Relatively complete. Not as exotic as an open car, but a touring sedan with the bustle trunk was one of the more attractive closed bodies. If someone has enough interest in driving it to warrant the an engine swap, it would actually be much simpler run it with the Packard straight eight. It’s a simple engine by today’s standards, runs great, and is in keeping with the car’s character. Smooth, lots of power and especially torque, and about 15 mpg. The 3 speed manual with long stick shifts easily and makes for fun, confident driving. These cars are great road cars! A clumsy plastic tilt-wheel with column shift automatic would just ruin it. I hope this car finds a home.