Looking for any info on a 1939 Rollston Packard Town Car, Model 1701, that was purchased new by Dan Topping (Yankees Owner). Six wheels, deluxe equipment.

Does the car still exist?

Any info would be grealy appreciated. Thanks!

Van

My guess the a six cylinder Rollston would be for export, where the six were more popular in Europe

A 1701 is a 1939 One Twenty - the "small" eight-cylinder model. The Six would be the model 1700.

This is an update to my request for information on a 1939 Packard Rollson Town Car, Model 1701, purchased new by Dan Topping (Yankees Owner):

Body Number - 664
Design Number - 1665
Motor Number - 302664

Six Wheels
Deluxe Equipment
Expanded Trunk Compartment

Does the car still exist?

Any info would be greatly appreciated

Are you a Packard Club member? There would be a roster keeper there for this model who may have it listed or know more about it.

And I always get confused without looking it up, but is it Rollson or Rollston?

Both Rollson and Rollston built bodies for Packard chassis. http://www.coachbuilt.com/bui/r/rollston/rollston.htm

Thanks BillP.

I have spoken to the roster keeper for this model, however, she could not provide info on this Packard. Clipper 47's link is the best source of info on Rollston/Rollson.

Van

I found this on Hemmings web site. Let us know what you find out.

PACKARD: 1939 120 panel Brougham style town car by Rollson, the car is in exceptional overall condition, the mechanical systems operate well but have not been detailed, $28,500. 212-496-1507, NY; rb37@columbia.edu $28,500

If memory serves, Rollson is the name the company assumed after reorganization from the bankruptcy of Rollston. I believe there is more info on this in Hugo Pfau's great tome "The Custom Body Era".

I have seen at least 3 39-1701 Town cars in my life, none of which had an "expanded trunk compartment". I would be most interested to know if you have a picture of this car to post? Interesting....

West Peterson: See Packard Forum for response!

Owen_Dyneto: Thanks for the lead. Pfau's book is great. Clipper 47 above has the best link for the story on Rollston/Rollson.

Flackmaster: Car was built with an 8" extended rear body with a built-in compartment. Do not have a photo of car. Thanks!

Still searching for that info I had on the Topping car; haven't found it yet but did see about 5 pictures of town cars on the junior 8 Packard chassis by Rollston/Rollson in the 1973 volume "The Coachbuilt Packard" by Hugo Pfau.

Re: Owen_Dyneto

The article you refer to, may be the Oct. 1973 edition of "Car Collector Magazine. Their site shows a story on a 1939 Packard Rollson Limo. Out of print, no copy of written article or photos available.

Do you know of anyone who might have a copy. Long shot!

Thanks, Van

Try contacting Charles Blackman, a longtime Rollson TC owner and Packard historian. He lives in Indiana and may be able to help you.

I have a copy at home. That would be the October 1973 issue of Car CLASSICS, though, as Car Collector's first issue was January 1978.

Re: West Peterson

Thanks for the correction. If you have the time, let me know if the article in question mentions Dan Topping or matches the body number of 664.

Much appreciated. Thanks Van

1940 Rollson popped up on ebay (again) - though I suspect the reserve is optimistic. There was another 40 Rollson about 6 months ago in OKC that was a much nicer project, from what pictures say.

1939 Packard Rollson 1701:

Additional info has been uncovered:

1. Painting: Scheme "X" - Black.
2. Radio in rear compartment.
3. Artillery Steel Wheels.

No photos or knowledge if car still exists.

Thanks for any help, Van

To All:

New Info:

In addition to all other custom deluxe features, the car was delivered with a rare "chromium windshield". See previous postings for complete details on car.

No photos or knowledge if car still exists.

Thanks for any help, Van

Van
I was just in the Dayton Packard Museum. Until now, I was confused by a statement made in the PackardInfo site that said there was a '39 Rollson town car in Dayton's museum. Today I went into the basement and found it. The front is torn apart for what appears to be engine repair. I took a look at the delivery tag and it said February 1939, New York City. It was a razor-edge panel brougham Junior model. That is all I know about it at this time, but I can get further information for you if you like.

West Peterson

Thanks so much for your efforts in tracking this car in the Dayton Packard Museum. I spoke to the owner who sold the car to the museum last year, and he told me that the car belonged to the late great Lily Pons, famous opera star. He did not give me any other info, or photos of the car. Now that you have verified it's existence, (my e-mail to the DPM last year went unanswered), perhaps you could get further info to settle the question of my search. Did you notice if the car had six wheels, that would be a quick check, since my car inquiry had six wheels. My body is #664.

Thanks again, looking forward to your search!

Van

I'll make another trip and take some photos. Stupid me went there without my camera. Where would I find the body number?

West Peterson

The plate showing the body number would be under the front seat, attached to the wooden battery box, mostly under the driver's side or sometimes under the front seat passenger side. It is sometimes attached to the wooden frame of the seat itself.

Thanks again for your help!

Van

Van
I was in the Packard Museum today... again, I forgot my camera (!@#$%!). But, I took down this information:
Black, single rear-mounted spare tire, jump seats, division window.
Numbers from under-hood data tag:
1701 2037
New York 2-8-39
Numbers on plate under driver's seat:
Style No. 1668
Body No. 657

I'm planning on going back this weekend, so I'll try and remember my camera.

West Peterson

Many thanks for your very generous time spent on identification of this Rollson Packard at the DPM today. Sadly, it is not the car I am looking for. Perhaps this info will help another person trying to id a Rollson. The info on my search vehicle is repeated:

1939 Rollson Packard 1701 Razor Edge Town Car purchased new by Dan R. Topping (Yankees Owner).

Style No. 1665
Body No. 664
Motor No. 302664

After more than 1 year of searching, I am thinking about what a Packard expert told me when I started, that many of these large Packards were scrapped after World War II.

It would be a great loss to collectors if this statement proves to be true.

Thanks again,

Van