Ken_P

Quite a few details wrong, especially for the price, but looks very nice. Any idea what the object in the center right of the center dash panel is (round object above the cigarette lighter)?

Having a black 37 Packard with whitewalls and suicide rear doors, I get told "looks like a gangster's car" and "did it come with a tommy gun?" It gets a little old, but I try to remember that most people have only seen cars like this in gangster movies. I do love letting kids sit in mine, and my kids have gotten to sit in a LOT of cars over the years. A few years ago, I was at a car show, and my son (must've been about 4) got to sit in a Model A and toot the horn - you would've thought he was in heaven! The look on peoples faces when I'm at a show, and my kids hop on the running boards and then get in the car are priceless! Especially if I'm a few feet away.

George, Chris (the contact) had his number listed.

Oh man - that sounds like a hell of an adventure, and a great time! Maybe you could find a friend to follow with a suitable tow vehicle, and if you break down hard, uhaul trailer the rest of the way home?

@padgett - posted my thoughts a few times, but in summary: Right now, I'm thinking, in priority order: -1997 -1999 BMW 328ic with a stick. Not AACA eligible, but will be soon. [Surprised by all of the BMW haters on here - I've owned two, and cheaper to own, by far, than my wife's Acura MDX. Maybe because I do my own work?] -C4 or C5 corvette - need to drive one first, to see if I even fit. -70s or 80s Mercedes - no idea what model. I was hoping for some suggestions there. [Again - this is a toy. I don't want a honda or toyota or [insert boring car here]. I want something that I can drive back and forth to work but could also tear up a curvy road, with AC, but if it breaks down, I'll get it towed home and drive my truck until I fix whatever broke]. Thanks again for all the thoughts. It's been an interesting discussion for sure.

+1 for Pat. Excellent work.

I had thought of a corvette. prices on C5s are dropping fast too! lots of good thoughts, but I’d rather keep daily driving my current pickup (‘04 Silverado 2500 diesel) than a crown vic or similar. 😂 I too had thought about reliability, but I have a backup, so wiling to risk a little there. Thanks again!

Ha! I have an old pickup! (Ok, it’s an ‘04 Duramax, so not that old) good idea, but looking for more grand touring type of ideas. Something with a little panache

I’ve had two E36 BMWs with zero reliability issues. Zero. 4 years combined driving time, so I think pretty highly of them. Trying to get some sporty or grand touring, and while I know I like the E36 3 series, trying to branch out. What are some interesting Mercedes or BMWs or... ? ... in my price bracket? I drove a late model Cadillac CTS that was a ball, but I’m leaning more toward something that is, or about to be, AACA eligible. After all, I have my truck to get me to work if my toy breaks down.

Haha - Chevette, Cruz, and Cobalt???

Thanks for the thoughts. Trying to find a car I haven’t heard of, not a recent car on marketplace, lots of 15 year bimmers in my price bracket. What got me thinking about posting this was a Mercedes 450SLC that @Matt Harwood has for sale. I’m not very familiar with that model. It got me thinking - what other AACA eligible cars would be easy to get into that have the panache (and comfort) of a vintage Mercedes? Again - the car I’m most likely to buy right now would be a ‘94 or ‘95 BMW 328ic with a manual; that’s the general idea. Just looking for some other options to compare it to. (since I don’t think signature lines are posting, my “normal” AACA car is a HPOF 37 Packard 120)

Ok - so this post isn’t based on poor @Matt Harwood’s experience, but... I’ll be moving to northern Florida in about a year, and I’m thinking of buying a cheap used (or classic) car to daily drive. I’ll have about a 40 minute commute each way, and driving the tow rig every day gets to be a bit of a drag. I’m leaning towards an E36 BMW, but thought I would throw it out here for consideration. General criteria: 1. AC (north Florida) 2. Roughly 10k or less 3. convertible and manual are both ideal, but not required 4. some panache (I don’t want a 91 Ford Taurus! 🤣 ) 5. Reasonably reliable. I can do all my own work, but I don’t want something that is notoriously unreliable (here’s looking at ya ‘80s vintage Rolls and Jaguars) Also, I’m 6’4”, so miatas, etc are probably out. Thoughts? Thanks in advance!

@Matt Harwood - I think the fear derives from the fact that some people seem to think they’re going to turn a profit on every old car they buy. I’ve seen this a lot from friends on other forums. My view is that old cars are a hobby (I.e. a sink cost), but you can get some of your money back if needed. @Jasper4247 - totally agree on looking yourself - bought my first car sight unseen, but a buddy who was into old cars looked at it for me. He missed LOTS of bondo.

Ugh. Not car related! Patched a hole where a towel rack pulled out of the wall, and a million other honey dos.

My dad was a heavy equipment mechanic when I was a kid. He had a 1936 Chevy project truck sitting in the garage, untouched, from before I can remember until he sold it when I was about 12 (I was so pissed! 🤣) It turns out, he didn’t want to work on equipment all day, then come home and do it some more. We went to car shows, etc, though, so I was around cars. Fast forward a few years. I bought my first old car, a basket case ‘37 Packard 115, when I was 29 and stationed in Italy. (The car was in Iowa, long story). Upgraded to my current 120 a few years later. Well, my dad is nearing retirement, and went off and bought a 54 GMC pickup! Then a 65 F250 4x4 project, and another parts truck. So I actually bought him his first AACA membership a few years ago! He definitely planted the seed though, and we are enjoying the hobby together now. We spent a full day wandering Amelia a few years ago and had a ball.

If you've ever greased a combine or some other piece of equipment with 50 or 60 zerks, the battery powered one is nice! My dad bought a 20V milwaukee grease gun a few years ago, and it's great. Useless tools? Most of the ones I've met are decent enough, I just don't loan them my tools Second vote on the 3/8" air drive ratchet.

Yes! I sold a house to someone like this once. I almost walked away, several times, but it was at the start of Covid, so we worked it out. Back on topic - Matt - I feel bad for you buddy. I think you've proven on here over and over that you're fair; when I'm hunting for my next car, you'll be included in the hunt. Seems the seller made a big mistake, not you. You aren't his life coach! Good luck whatever you end up doing, and I'll be over here with my popcorn.

Amazing how narrow the cowl is compared to the massive size of everything else.

Two things - 1. I miss the family that is too far away to reasonably drive to. We had a trip in April that we had to cancel. 2. I miss car shows! I will not be able to attend many events for the next few years due to work stuff; I already know I can't go to Hershey 2021 for example. This year should have been a prime year for going to car events. But, my car is much better sorted than it was, so I guess there is that.

I was also going to mention a junior Packard, but I'm biased, having owned two. I was going to get a 1931 Model A roadster as my next car, but then I sat in one - I'm 6'5", and reasonably flexible, but I don't think that I could have driven that car for more than 30 minutes at a time. Some of the other As may have more leg room, as I think the roadster has a fixed seat, but I'm not an expert. The 35-39 Packard junior cars (120 and 115, then 120 and 110) are great drivers, reliable, good following, and easy to get parts for. Mine will easily do 65, although I prefer to cruise at 60 or less. The biggest single piece of advice I can give you: buy the best car you can afford! Try to find something that has been driven regularly, and is well sorted! Any money you save on purchase buying a car that "just needs xxxx" will end up costing you ore in the long run! I didn't buy an antique car as an investment or a way to make money either - it is a hobby! That said, these cars do require a lot more attention than a modern car, so starting with a reliable tourer will prevent some frustration. Most of the cars mentioned are solid choices, and with the internet there are experts within reach on every marque, so it will ultimately come down to preference. Glad to see another guy my age getting into the hobby - I'm about to turn 39, and both of my kids love riding in my car.

Does anyone have any sales literature or factory photos of a 1954 Willys Pickup with the 6-226 Super Hurricane? I'm specifically looking for shots of the engine, but any or all information would be welcome. Looking to restore one soon, and I want to start studying the original literature.

I have found mine responds best to wine this was 10 years or so ago while bleeding the brakes on my old 1937 115c, before I upgraded.

I see you've recently posted several items. Good luck cleaning out your garage. Price, location, and willingness to ship would all be very helpful.

So glad I can keep my registration in Idaho- it’s actually legal to pull an rv followed by a boat! Granted, way less traffic out there! The 2500 SRW is a good compromise - it tows an rv or my 24’ car trailer but I can drive it easily to work, and park in tight spaces. When I get settled post-military in a few years, a one ton dually is in the cards.

@Robert Street not at all! The trailer is actually designed for half tons (holy s&$&&!) and only weighs 8800 pounds empty. Doesn’t even significantly squat the 2500. Tows great, and I’ve even had to panic stop it a time or two when getting cut off by morons on I-95.