The Packard Six was one of the company’s two main product lines offered between World War I and II. The other was the Packard Eight and both automobiles got their names from the engines found “under the bonnet.” From what we can tell, the seller has a Series 533 cabriolet (convertible with pillared doors) from 1928 that’s been in storage since the 1970s. The once stately automobile is being sold by the widow of the owner, who registered the car last in 1967. It’s in Rogue River, Oregon, and is available here on craigslist for $25,000.
Automobiles like this one are fast approaching the century mark in terms of age. Which means there’s not likely many of them still around. The seller doesn’t have much information on this Packard though a clean title has said to survive, but that doesn’t help much with the seller’s description. The Packard’s six-cylinder is still there, but we don’t know if it or the rest of the vehicle is complete. The Packard 533 Series had a long 133-inch wheelbase which helps to accommodate the limited back seat that’s in the car.
The seller indicates the bodywork on this machine is constructed of aluminum and was made by Dietrich but searches online don’t reveal much about this arrangement. The running boards at a minimum are made of metal because we see rust in at least one of them. Though it can’t be verified, the Packard was sold new in Hollywood, California and the seller’s husband must have acquired it sometime in the 1960s, at the earliest.
This distinguished Packard will need a total restoration, but where are you going to find parts these days for a 96-year-old car? Plus, I would think you’d want to find a shop that is familiar with either Packards or pre-war vintage automobiles to do the work. The asking price may be negotiable, but you’ll likely have a sizeable investment in this 1920s automobile once it returns to its former glory. Our thanks to Barn Finder “Zappenduster” for this ancient tip.
That seems high for a six in this condition; you’re guaranteed to end up under water if you do a good job. Cars from the twenties are simple enough that a blacksmith could almost make most of what you need; a foundry and a decent machinist could certainly get it up and running, but that interior looks really rough. Just want to mention, too, that the Twin Six stated in production for five years after World War I as Packard’s only product until 1921. 12-cylinder sales were very light in the 1932-39 stretch, but still worth mentioning.
I notice that they had low profile tires even back then!
I may be mistaken, but the tires on it are the elusive 0.00-16, Coker Tire probably could build you some.
For running the rails with moonshine,,,
It saddens me so this elegant old gal laying on her belly in this garage. I hope someone can save her.
At that price you can probably buy a restored one. Don’t know what the demand is for this guy but I’d bet it’s low. Still, quite a machine.
Where’s Jay Leno when you need him? I understand that he’s a big Packard fan as he has several of them in his collection. Now before you come at me with pitchforks and
torches, hear me out for a moment.
I believe the only way this poor car
could be saved would be to tastefully
restomod it. I have seen many other
Packards saved in this manner with
very outstanding results. It certainly
Looks as though you have enough
there to mount a decent effort and
have a really nice car if and when you
get it done. One thing’s for sure, you’ll
be only one on your block to own one!
Kenneth, I believe even Jay Leno has his limits. He seems to be the standard savior of all these relics, but I’m sure even he will say, you can’t save them all. This isn’t even resto-mod material. Unless it’s restored to original, I doubt it has any appeal as a resto-mod.
Rogue River is on the Oregon coast – salt air from the Pacific has probably had a feast. This is a job for someone with more money than brains.
Rouge River the community is not close to the coast it is at least a hundred miles inland,
No matter could be an interesting do it yourself project if money is not an object .
One too many zeros in the price. The seller is delusional.
Rouge River, Oregon is not a coastal city. It is east of Medford which is very dry as a rule. Cool car.
There are sure a lot of steerings hanging on the walls. It makes you wonder what other parts are laying around.
I meant steering wheels.
Actually I don’t think salt air will come into play in this case.The town/city of Rogue River is in South Central Oregon, near Medford and Grants Pass. This area of Oregon has a much milder and drier climate compared to the Northern area and the coastal areas. We live in SoCal now but almost moved there because of the milder climate.
If I had the room for one more project, I would consider saving this old machine.
They put one to many zeros in the asking price.
If my Uncle Enrico (we called him Henry, which turned into Rig) were still alive I’m sure he’d love to get his hands on this.
@pdc427
All I can say is make room. As bad a shape these pictures seem to show this vehicle, I believe it’s worth saving. Not at that price though. I think either the seller or BF made a mistake and accidently added an extra zero.
Is White Post still in business? They could manufacture alot of the missing pieces.
You may be right Howard. Even Jay
Leno might say no. He had more than
enough to do now that his wife has
Dementia. You comment about moonshine made think of my last visit to my Uncle’s farm in Kentucky back in ’76. He had this old barn there that looked like it hadn’t been
opened in years. So while the old
folks were visiting our front, Cousin Tom and I went poking around in this
old barn. Once inside, we found this
’26 or ’28 Packard touring car that had the rear half removed and a portable moonshine still had been
installed in it’s place. So we poked
around to see if we had the stuff (Gas, tools, and whatnot) to see if we could get it running and drive it out into the barnyard to show our family
just what we found in there. About an
hour or so later, we had it cranked and
running. Only thing we forgot was the
brakes! What brakes? There were none! Tom put it in gear, let the clutch
out, and it lurched forward bustn’ through the barn doors and out into
the barnyard with a loud Crash! That
got everyone’s attention and they all
ran over to see what was going on.
My Uncle had that I didn’t know that
thing was there look on his face that was priceless. He donated it to the
county historical museum in Morgantown later that year. We also
blew an old outhouse to smithereens
lobbing M-80s down the hole and into
the pit. You could say we really got a
bang out of visiting my Uncle that day.
Rouge River the community is not close to the coast it is at least a hundred miles inland,
No matter could be an interesting do it yourself project if money is not an object .
Another car that sat in the owners barn deteriorating over the decades until you are left with this. The asking price is way off the mark. It’s a parts car at this point for some Packard collector. I’d rather see the parts used for other cars than to have it turned into a “restomod”.