BRIEF HISTORY:
My dad, Chet, purchased his second Packard in 1955 (his first Packard was a 1941 110). This would be its home for the next 40 years. Regular trips were made to visit family in Wisconsin and Virginia. In 1972 the car was put in storage where it sat for the next 20 years. In 1991 my dad passed on and I became the new owner and started the major restoration process which took up the next 12 years. Since then, the car has been driven regularly for touring of the Wisconsin driftless area and to family outings, car shows and other local events.
RESTORATION:
Admittedly, the Packard was in rough shape: Complete body restoration and new paint exact to original colors. Complete braking, engine and transmission rebuild. Carburetor and starter were also rebuilt. Replacing and chroming for most of the bumpers. New carpet and later new upholstery. The restoration process continues with special projects every year along with routine maintenance.
NEEDED UPDATES:
A nod to driving in the next century:
I installed an inline gas filter after the glass bulb shattered. No fire, fortunately. The gas tank is stainless steel, and the front brakes are disk brakes (critical safety feature with today’s driving speeds). Optima 6v battery (in false battery case). Otherwise, everything is as original as I could keep it.
DON’T LIKE THE UPDATES?
No problem. I’ve kept all the salvageable parts and have an inventory of some replacement parts. (More than could fit into the trunk.) Plus, an original unrestored power steering unit. Also included, the original purchased documents, Service Manual, Owner’s Manual, restoration/repair records and other interesting historical paraphernalia.
INTERIOR:
The carpet and the upholstery have been replaced. Door panels and headliner are original. Everything else is original. The radio and clock are original, unrestored and do not work. Seatbelts were added for safety. Finding the right replacement fabric for the seats was a challenge. New digital weaving technologies got us real close to the original. Before and since restoration this car has been stored at all times inside.
That’s right, 104,000 miles. All those trips to Virginia. 5000 miles on the rebuild. Packard's were built to go the distance and this car has always brought me back home. I am selling this car due to my age (not its age).
