What do Packard and Lamborghini have in common? Both companies were reportedly launched when their owners suggested improvements to other automakers – and were rebuffed. Lamborghini confronted Enzo Ferrari to complain about his Ferrari’s brakes, a message that earned a chilly reception. Consequently, Lamborghini used his manufacturing prowess to create the 350 GTV and a legend was born. Decades earlier, in Ohio, James Packard brought a similar message to Alexander Winton, founder of Winton Motor Carriage Company. Receiving a cranky response paraphrased as “You know so much, start your own car company,” Packard did just that. Occupying the luxury niche when rich Americans vied to spend on the latest showy conveyance, Packard thrived – until the Great Depression. To fend off financial stress, Packard embraced a strategy followed by Rolls Royce in the late ’20s with its entry-level 20/25 and Cadillac with its LaSalle – it made “junior” models. But rather than siloing these in a separate division to insulate its swanky reputation, it let them be Packards – which did not please Packard clientele. Worse, it degraded its stylish “Six” – a luxury vehicle in the 1915 era – to nothing more than an Oldsmobile competitor in the 1930s. Here on eBay is a 1939 Packard Six Club Coupe for sale, bid to $6800. No reserve is in play. The car is located in Westfield, Massachusetts.

In 1939, Packard introduced its new four main-bearing, L-head six-cylinder, with a displacement of 245 cu. in., dressed with a single downdraft carburetor and good for a full 100 hp. Packard had already employed independent suspension and hydraulic brakes. The shifter for the three-speed manual transmission was moved to the column and called HandiShift. During this time frame, Packard introduced its EconoDrive – an electric overdrive from Borg Warner; this car doesn’t have that option. The air cleaner is with the car, and looking pretty spiffy. The undercarriage is about as we’d expect on an 85-year-old; another photo shows the fuel tank straps are terminally rusted. The seller was able to make the car run briefly.

The interior is well preserved. The mohair upholstery is bright and clean; the dash is in decent condition. The rear jump seats are as nice as the fronts. Of course, after many decades of disuse, the gauges, switches, winders and latches might need attention. I’ve had cars that haven’t sat long at all whose windows cranks freeze up; I usually park the car in the sun for a while to see if the grease softens before I take everything apart.

The money shot is this beautiful, flowing rear end with its looonng trunk lid and split back window. Yes, we’re looking at a paint job, but the seller indicates rust is minimal. I like the no-reserve format here, because when this auction ends, we’ll know exactly what the market will pay for a project Packard Six.