V12 Project: 1937 Packard Touring Limo
After 50 years of storage, this classy V12 powered Packard Limo is up for sale. 50 years in storage has been good to this car, as there is little to no rot, and the exterior and interior aren’t too shabby considering this car’s age. With a clean title, and needing to be revived, this Packard project is a solid start. With the end of the auction drawing near, bidding has reached $27,905.00, or the buy it now price is still an option at $30,000.00. Check it out here on eBay out of Strongsville, Ohio. Thanks to Ikey for sharing this goliath of a Packard.
Even though the V12 and the transmission have been removed from this Packard, the engine still turns over by hand, the engine is considered to be complete. Hopefully, that statement is true, and this Packard could be reassembled relatively “easily”.
Having aged fairly well, the interior looks like it isn’t too far off from being enjoyed as is. A proper leather treatment may bring some life back to the leather on the front bench. There is a box of parts upfront, so hopefully, that contains the original carb, along with some other important goodies. The ever so classy dash layout and the banjo-style steering wheel look excellent.
The passenger space is a typical wide bench area, with two jumpstyle seats in front. The cloth hasn’t aged too badly, but I would guess that either mice or moths got to the headliner, which may mean there are a few other surprises. The great news is that all of the internal hardware and trim appear to be in place, and in nice shape. The interior upholstery could be replicated as it has aged so well.
The exterior is just as promising as the interior. There is no significant rot to be seen in this Packard, which is awesome. Although, you can find evidence of surface rust on a few places. Ideally, this would be a dream to have restored. Who wouldn’t want such a magnificent machine fully restored? Well while a restoration would make anyone feel warm and fuzzy, the price and effort to accomplish such a goal would likely leave you feeling concerned over the massive amount of money put into this car. Call me crazy, but I think this Packard could be cleaned, and gently polished to appear as a decent survivor grade machine. You would be looking at reviving the driveline, and the interior at the least, but the few signs of age on the exterior are charming enough that you could leave it alone. It is difficult to have an opinion on such a machine, as the refinement and luxury of it screams restoration. Would you restore or preserve this fine V12 Packard?
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Comments
Wasn’t this recently written up? Seems very familiar…still a striking candidate for a full restoration…I mean, the tires still hold air…
Brain cells didn’t fail – June 3 write-up!
The staff needs to do a search before posting, but on the other hand, you get two perspectives on the same car.
To be honest, I’m surprised this hasn’t been snapped up by a Packard club member yet! This is incredibly complete given it’s age! It’s obviously been kept indoors to stay THIS solid. The interior is so well kept for a 73 year old car!
Not to be picky about second grade math but the car is a bit older than what you wrote.
Limousines are the least desirable body style in the collector car world – they’re uncomfortable for the driver, awkward, hard to park. Just not much fun.
Typically get rebodied into something more sporty.
The shill bids won’t help sell this grossly over-priced undesirable car.
Not to be picky about your reading ability but he only said the car sit in a garage for 50 years.
Poppapork was commenting on Will’s comment of it being a 73 year old car. 83 years by my calculations.
When I see an old luxury car like this, I wonder who bought this originally. Was it a politician ? a celebrity ? maybe a Packard executive ? America was starting to get out of the depression by ’37 , but even so, this was an expensive car for a limited clientele .
Yeah, I will see a vintage luxury car of any era & wonder whose a$$was in those seats.
A 1920’s era “great Gatsby ” type mansion, in really rough shape, sold here in Milwaukee county about 5 years ago. It was in a suburb called River Hills, which is still a big dollar place to live. Somehow the county got hold of it as a tax foreclosure. I went to look at it & fell in love with it, but unfortunately I was unable to buy it. Restoring it for me would have not been feasible. I would have been in WAY over my head lol.
But I often wondered who resided there, who might have been a guest there. I fantasize the same way about this vintage iron.
Restored, this car is the definition of CLASS!
I hope the owner is smart enough to drop his reserve and grab the cash offered. The market started to crash again yesterday. America has been opened and as predicted COVID cases are once again going up.
He can’t drop his reserve if I’m right about it being a shill bid – and knowing what I know about cars and values, I can’t imagine a ‘real’ bid at that price.
one of the museums w/a mechanic on staff? Provence comes into the assessment w/that: “Roosevelt’s cousin’s mother’s friend’s neighbor car”!
I’d pay to go see it. Grab a panini’n beer in the lobby? Then after ck the antique motorcycles?