suchan

Last candidate: I wouldn't discount the later-model engine too much if everything else is right. The balky clutch pedal might be the result of the counter-balance spring on the clutch intended to lighten pedal action, or the mechanism needs needs cleaning/lubrication. But if it's not, changing the clutch is a bear. Price is optimistic, and hopefully negotiable. It's been for sale for a while. Good luck!

Roadmaster is a BIG car. Century gives you the 320 motor in a more manageable package. The Roadmaster's roomy rear compartment is nice, but you're not driving from the back seat. That '37 Century on the 3638 website looks like a great car, and a good price.

#1: Current bid is fair money. Nice woodgrain, looks original. Looks like Raphael Green. A friend has a car that color, and it's sharp! #2: If you can get past the upholstery.....otherwise, not bad. #3: Run, don't walk. '37 Roadmasters have a lot of wood framing, and at that dealer price, there must be a lot wrong. #4: Not too many folks looking for a purple car, and a good repaint is more expensive than you might think (remove fenders, etc.) Folks will start pulling cars out of winter storage soon, and you should see more on the market. Be patient!

I get the motor and supercharger. It could be the heart of a really cool vintage hot rod. But why put it into a Silver Hawk? I won't comment on the number of zeros inhabiting the asking price.

'39 Zephyrs are gorgeous cars. Rolling sculpture. Nice car at a good asking price.

A lower cost, but less dramatic improvement would be to put taller tires on a Special. I had a '38 with whitewall-cladded truck tires mounted by a previous owner that were the radial equivalent of 7.00x16's (215/85x16). Picks up a few mph. I've heard of owners mounting 7.50x16's, too, but that seems a little tight. You'd need some real skinny 7.50's to not rub on the wheel wells when making sharp turns.

Sorry, "abuse" was a bit harsh. Maybe "pushing the limits"? You can certainly floor it in a passing/evasion situation, but as strong and advanced the design is, it's still eighty year old technology and metal. I recall reading a post by a Series 90 owner who ran his car a couple of hours at 80 until the tired motor blew, but with the cost of a rebuild at $5K-plus, it's not a practice that can be recommended. If your cooling system isn't optimal, the motor will heat up if you push it. Straight 8's generate a lot of heat.

If the seller is sensitive to comments, this isn't the place to post an ad. Some of the comments were constructive, some statements of fact, some inappropriate by forum rules, but the seller responded to all comments with insults. The car clearly isn't going to sell here for a variety of reasons. Let's call it a day.

Centurys are rare. Production of Specials outnumbered Centurys by something like 6 to 1. Some change hands between car club members without ever being advertised. If you're not already, you might consider becoming a member of the 36-38 Buick Club, and, of course, BCA. Specials are a fun drive, too. You might consider picking up one of the nice ones floating around right now while you wait for your dream car.

Nice car. How much cash should serious buyers bring, and where should they bring it?

Get the radiator fixed and get it running. Buyers can't assume the motor is in good condition if they can't hear it run, and you'll get nothing but lowball offers, if you get any offers at all. Good luck with the sale.

A great argument for writing a will. With the estate tax regs as generous as they've become, you can pass along a huge collection without taxes to your heirs IF YOU HAVE A WILL, at least in the states I've lived in. No will? Heirs need to find a good probate lawyer and expect to pay a boatload to both the state and the lawyer.

I'm guessing the seller's children are closer to my age (65) and may have a more positive attitude towards inherited items, but the next generation generally seems to be less disposed towards heirlooms, preferring to buy new stuff. Unless a family member expresses great enthusiasm for something you've got, it's better to liquidate what you can before the "auction". Sorting through someone's belongings isn't a happy time for survivors, and trying to expertly dispose of old cars, dish sets, taxidermy, whatever, just makes it worse.

Nice car. Sorry to hear of the owner's health issues. The hupcap seems to indicate it's a model 120. The online value guides suggest that the asking price is quite optimistic, and since a quick sale seems to be the goal at a time of year when values can be depressed, he might consider getting the car appraised. If the cost of appraisal ($400 or so) is an issue, contact the Packard club for members in his area who might be willing to come by and offer a ballpark value, and may have contacts with a possible buyer. Good luck with the sale.

You'll have a lot more success with the sale if someone can help you get the motor running. Post on the mafca.org site.

I tried to post the link, and the whole thing popped up. Don't know if the link is readable. Anyway, March/April 2002 edition.

Check out this edition of Torque Tube: A '72 Nova gas tank is the right size and shape, needs the filler moved, etc.

Added new pics.

Good-looking car at a fair asking price. C'mon, somebody needs a '41 Caddy for Christmas!

The photo looks more like Palm Springs, CA. Scam.

As long as we've slid over to a discussion of whitewalls, is there a list somewhere of the proper whitewall width for a particular model year?

C'mon Matt, stop making sense! I don't understand why folks old enough to have driven during bias-ply's heyday would want to go back if a bias-look radial is available. I bought a new Ford Fairmont in 1978 with B78-14's, was scared enough by their performance to put on a set of Michelins the week after I bought the car. And I'm cheap! I'm also leery of the sourcing for the new bias-plys. I'm guessing Goodyear and Firestone aren't making them. Take an antiquated design, with questionable construction by unknown sources, and it's not something I want to intentionally add to my list of concerns when I'm out enjoying my classic car.

Here's another viewpoint: https://www.dbtires.com/rimstress.html

I'll bet it's a scam. There's a dealer in Northern Calif. that specializes in that trade, advertise a car at a too-good-to-be-true price, and hopes to snare a too-eager buyer, preferably overseas. I've got a "private collection" too, my convertible and a couple of late model Nissans. Right up there with "barn find" and "museum piece" as buzz words that'll send me running in the other direction.