Need help to find a Full Classic Driver

This may seem like a strange request, but I have been thinking about finding a full classic to drive and tour. I would like a short wheel base sporty coupe in the late 30's or 40's.

Any ideas of Marques and models I should be looking at?

Thanks to all on advance.

Not many from which to choose: Packard, Cadillac, Lincoln Continental, is about your only choice, plus a few extremely high-dollar exotics.

These are your choices, in a nutshell... I couldn't find any photos of a Classic 1937-39 Cadillac coupe that didn't have 16 cylinders.

I think the 39 Roadmaster 80 had a coupe too, but it doesn't add a lot more possibilities.

Nope. Century was the highest-end coupe by that time.

I think I'll vote for a 40 - 42 Packard 160 with overdrive and plain fenders. If you want only 2 pedals , the 41 Caddy fastback.

Oh!! That reminds me. I forgot the postwar choice. This is the one I'd opt for with two pedals:

He didn't specify American manufacturer. There are probably a dozen foreign makes that would qualify as building "Sporty Coupes".

However, sticking with American, you seem to have covered all the bases. Was the Nash Ambassador still a Classic by 38? I'm thinking not.

I mentioned "a few extremely high-dollar exotics" in my first post. That would cover the Delahaye, Bugatti and Talbot.

36 to 38 Pierce would also make the list. But they are 139 or 144 inch chassis. Sporty, yes, but large and impressive. Here is a 36 V-12 on a 144 wb.

Really the more practical choice would be the 1940 or newer Cadillac/Packard/Lincoln Continental. To put a Packard Twelve, Lincoln K, V 16 Caddy, or Pierce 12 in the same category as any 1940's production car is really stretching it. Those 4 cars I just mentioned were really the last of an era, overbuilt dinosaurs of the late 30's when they were new if you will.

Ahhhh.... if only Packard would have made it look like this...

You are getting really good at that.

Not sure how married you are to the car being a Full Classic, but you can get everything else you want (including essentially the same V12 as the Continental in a much lighter car) with a Zephyr coupe. IMHO, they are definitely a step above a typical production car, if not at the same level as a Full Classic. Something to consider.

Thanks to West and everyone,

This turned out to be a very good thread with good info.

I was thinking of a driver full classic to be able to do Caravans as well as AACA touring with a single car.

I was not thinking V12 or V16.

I like 39 - 41 cars and I like coupes with standard transmission. I also have a limited budget.

I saw a pre war Buick Roadmaster Coupe older restoration that was nice but I do not think it is a full classic.

Note to West a few years ago at the Glenmor we talked about me submitting an article on our 1925 STuTZ for the AACA Mag. Can I still do that? Send me an email at thestutzclub@aol.com

Dan

I sent you an e-mail. Yes. Still welcome as long as you're still and AACA member.

I don't think Buick ever built a coupe on the Roadmaster platform.

And don't overlook the two-pedal postwar Cadillacs. I have become a big fan of them.

Not sure how married you are to the car being a Full Classic, but you can get everything else you want (including essentially the same V12 as the Continental in a much lighter car) with a Zephyr coupe. IMHO, they are definitely a step above a typical production car, if not at the same level as a Full Classic. Something to consider.

Cecil

It doesn't get any better than that when it comes to prewar Zephyrs. Your car certainly should be accepted as a CCCA Classic (I refuse to use the registered term "CCCA Full Classic"). We need to do a feature on your car for the AACA magazine.

I drove a 1940 Zephyr on the Glidden Tour this year, and they are veritable hot rods. Even sounds like one. With the Columbia rear end engaged, I was coasting along on I-75 at 75mph.

What is the weight difference between a Zephyr and a Continental? The latter has a reputation for being a dog but the styling is certainly very nice.

nice thread, love it

The Cadillac and Packard are the "easiest" to find, buy, drive and enjoy. Just be sure they are on the CCCA list of accepted cars. I have an original worn looking 41 Cadillac with the automatic transmission and is ALWAYS ready to go when I get in it. If I "step up" which I intend to do, I am looking for a 41 Sixty Series Fleetwood. I would then let my series 62 Cadillac go to a new caretaker. The CCCA accepted Packards are super cars as well and seems to be in similar price range as the Cadillac. I suppose that depending on who you know and where you are the selection could vary because of local support to keep the car active, but both are pretty easy to maintain.

To clarify, there are indeed Buick Roadmaster coupes built during the 1940 - 1948 period, but these 1940's-era Roadmasters were "Series 70" cars -- not Series 80 cars -- and are therefore not classified as true classics.