We’re packin’ in the Packards here at Barn Finds. Last week we covered this 1948 Packard Eight and earlier in December we featured this similar 1948 Packard Eight. Today, we’re reviewing a different generation Packard in the form of this 1934 Standard Eight Coupe Roadster, and it’s a repeat customer. My colleague Todd Fitch covered this same Packard a year ago and now it’s back up for sale, so let’s see what, if anything, has changed. Located in Indianapolis, Indiana, this Packard is available, here on eBay for a BIN price of $85,000. There is a make an offer option too.
So, is this the same seller? Seems like it as it is an operation, in both cases, known as Significant Cars, and is in the unchanged location of Indianapolis, Indiana. But two notable things have changed, the price has risen $5,000 and the grille is now finished in black as opposed to red. Painting the most distinctive feature of a Packard, its grille, in any manner other than how it was originally conceived just seems wrong. The seller adds, “We have carefully buffed the paint, and had a selective touch-up done to the right front fender-which was in primer after a repair-and installed a better set of hubcaps, a replated front bumper, a restored set of horns, and a stone guard. The original parts accompany the car“. And those stated items do appear to be evident in a comparison of last year’s images with the current listing. As for those original parts, there is what looks like the plumbing department of a hardware store in the glovebox so that may be the locale for said removed parts. There is also a new tan convertible top included and that was not referenced in the last go around.
The seller includes in the listing a claim of, “1934 is arguably the most desirable year of Production for Classic Era Packards” followed by “According to the Registrar for 1934 Packard’s there are 30 of these cars known to remain out of roughly 150 or so produced“. I can’t verify the listing’s claims but the Packard Club references 5,148 Standard Eights for 1934 but no breakdown included for body style 719 which is the Coupe Roadster. As for 1934 being “the most desirable year”, I would agree that it’s an arguable supposition.
With a 120 HP, 320 CI, in-line, eight-cylinder engine which, according to the seller, “runs and drives quite well. It starts right up, runs smoothly, shifts crisply through the gears, and stops with authority” under its hood, this roadster is mechanically well appointed. The engine looks sharp but there is no mention of its condition as to whether or not it is original or has undergone a partial or complete rebuild. A three-speed manual transmission handle gear changes.
Finally, the seller concludes with, “Appreciation of Original unrestored cars is growing, and many people have suggested this car should not be restored as it reflects the history of the car passing through time- something a fully restored car simply cannot do“. So, what’s holding this example back? As with most things, probably the price. I have found 1934 Model Eight Roadsters in restored condition for $120 large and this example, with its rusted body and dilapidated upholstery, still needs refurbishing to win over those who aren’t synced up on a worn, unrestored look and bearing. Granted, this Packard, as it sits, makes quite a visual statement, but it’s not impactful enough, I guess, to get someone to bite. What’s your thought, do you think a sale is likely?
Way to much money for it. Needs/deserves a concourse restoration, beautiful car
This car has been for sale for years. The present owner bought it from a guy in Nebraska where it was for sale at 50K. Note the welded crankcase.
Agreed. Don’t see too many but that’s a chunk of change.
Seems they have slipped a bit in the thinking of “unrestored” when they admit to replacing and painting as well as that front grill. But I doubt it will sell for what the might take one way or the other.
Beautiful 34 Coupe Roadster. This car is not unrestored as claimed. Painting the grille was a sin ! I respectfully disagree about 34 being the ” most desirable year “. Look at those produced in ’33 and of course production was much lower due to the depression.
I thought all of these had been converted to tow-trucks.
$85,000 that’s 1,732,248.82 Mexican Pesos or 74,845.134 Euros, much too much.
What was it that Barnum T. Bailey quoted?
A really nice car but it certainly is not an “Oily Rag” car
Note the view of the left side of the engine. Aluminum crankcase, cast iron cylinder block. The large blob (sorry) behind the oil filter… attempted repair of a crankcase holed by a broken connecting rod? If not this, then what? Caveat emptor!
Seems an accurate assessment, Ward.
There’s an older gentleman ( duh, you think a snowflake could handle this?) that brings his Packard like this to the yearly car show here. Unless you are next to it, the pictures don’t do justice as to how big these cars are. As everyone stood around aghast( in a sea of Mustangs and Challengers) I was the only one who asked if we could see the motor. It’s a monster, if the fan wasn’t going around, you couldn’t even tell if it was running. Instead of a dipstick, it had a “oil level” gauge. I hadn’t seen that since my brothers AMC Alliance. It, for the 4th time in a row, was the only “full classic” at the show. These cars were relatively modern, I believe Packard was one of the 1st with a synchromesh transmission, but it’s sheer size will put most off. Even I would be a bit twitterpated driving it, but if I could handle a IH cabover, ( and not hit anything), it may be easier than I think.
https://www.themountainmail.com/free_content/article_650248f6-b2de-11e9-85f9-3f3bc5cd529d.html
There are restored Packards of this vintage selling in the same price range. This car is worth less than 1/2 of the B.I.N. price.
Why would anyone paint that beautiful grille?? What were they smoking?
Is this a rumble-seat car? Or are the steps on the bumper and fender just to get items into and out of the trunk. Or maybe they are shelves to hold gas cans like military jeeps!
Yeah, I get that ‘leave it as it is’ thing, ‘ you can’t replicate patina’ but if I were playing in that league of motor vehicles, bet your a$$ it would be fully resored to its original beauty.
Also that engine block repair was the first thing that stood out looking at the engine. Person should have been drawn and quartered for that abomination of a job.