Tom Laferriere

Mike, I listed it in the fall of 2019 for a client. Tom

This is simply a great survivor Packard that was maintained its entire life. It starts easily, runs well, drives and shifts great, stops perfectly, cools and charges. Everything correct under the hood. All lights work and it is simply ready for use when you it shows up in your driveway, however I would put 4 new tires on it before motoring down the road. Motor runs smooth, but is tired. Pictures should tell the story, where else can you get a Packard like this for this price? $14,500 and located in my building in Smithfield, RI. All pictures at link: http://www.tomlaferriere.com/listings/1927-packard-4-26-sedan

Still patiently waiting for a new home.

1942 Ford Super DeLuxe Station Wagon Chassis no. 18-6840075 Engine no. 18-6840075 96 bhp, 221 cu. in. flathead V-8 engine, three-speed manual transmission, solid front axle and live rear axle with transverse semi-elliptic leaf springs, and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes. Wheelbase: 114” Ford updated its successful 1941 design for 1942 with a new front end, featuring modern one-piece fenders, a stamped grille, and redesigned turn signals. The dashboard was also reconfigured, with conventional round gauges inspired by General Motors designs. Ford would produce 160,432 of the 1942 models before February 2, 1942, when the building of civilian vehicles came to a halt for the duration of World War II. This production run included a mere 5,483 of the Super DeLuxe station wagons – making this season’s model the rarest Ford “woodie” produced between 1936 and 1948. Rarity was further ensured by the fact that most of the 1942 models were driven into the ground during the war years, when the materials and care required to maintain a wooden body were in short supply. The example offered here was acquired in 1973 by John R. Anderson of Westford, Massachusetts, from whom the current owner and his father acquired it in August 1985. Together father and son embarked upon a most carefully researched restoration, with authenticity and correctness their foremost concern. Fortuitously, all of the original wood remained with the wagon, and all could be restored and preserved with the exception of a single piece above the rear window. The original engine, numbered to match the chassis, remains in place, with later 59AB heads. LeBaron Bonney supplied correct upholstery, while the vinyl roof was replaced by a skilled local upholsterer. Such was the attention to detail that while the headliner-mounted straps, for storage of lap robes, were carefully replaced, the new straps were fitted to the restored original mounting clips. The body moldings, door handles, and hubcaps are all the original components for this wagon, fully restored. Following completion of the restoration the wagon was shown only once, at a 2001 Early Ford V-8 Club of America National Meet, and there received its first Dearborn Award. It has not been shown again since, only conscientiously maintained; the owner reports that he has run the Ford every month and replaced all fluids annually. When not on the road for brief exercise runs, it has been maintained in a heated garage. The owner notes that the heater, lights, and radio still work. Accompanying are the original headliner straps; a pair of stone guards, never fitted to avoid damaging the wood; a radio blanking plate; and an original rear dustbin, configured so it can be mounted to the rear bumper without the necessity of drilling holes. Without a doubt, this is one of the most superlative 1942 Ford “woodies” extant. Many pictures available at the link. http://www.tomlaferriere.com/listings/1942-ford-super-deluxe-station-wagon Located in Smithfield, RI and priced at $89,500. About half of the restoration cost and the car is free. 🙂

A reasonable offer will get this Cadillac.

This Ford Deluxe Coupe was certainly the pride in the estate collection and meant to be driven. Well maintained throughout, it starts easily hot or cold, runs smooth, drives well and will cruise all day. Upgraded wheels with radial tires gives this Ford a nice stance along with comfortable driving with its radial tires. Paint is shiny with a few blemishes from years of enjoyment. The interior, as the pictures show, is quite handsome and clean. Asking $34,500 and located with me in Smithfield, RI See link for additional photos. http://www.tomlaferriere.com/listings/1935-ford-model-48-coupe

It is...a great old Packard!

I agree!

1938 Packard 1600 Touring Sedan Body Style – 1184 245 CI 100 HP 6 Cyl Fantastic Survivor Great Tour Car Words from the person I bought it from. I am the 3rd owner of this Genuine Survivor Packard and acquired it in 1995. This 1938 Packard 1600 has 44,000 original miles and we believe that this car has been garaged throughout its life. The exterior, motor and drivetrain are all in original condition. The interior was professionally re-done in grey wool to match the original interior back in 1996 and the electrical system was professionally converted to 12-volt in 2008, a very nice feature. The original parts from the electrical conversion have been saved and accompany the car. Seat belts were added in 1996 as well. The bumpers were also re-chromed in 2008. All gauges, lights and controls are in working order with the exception of the clock on the face of the glove box and the ammeter. The Test Drive: This car starts easily, runs very smooth, shifts perfectly, stops as it should and is simply a joy to drive. All gauges, with the exception of the ammeter, are working correctly. All lights including added directionals work perfectly. It has a working heater and defroster which is a very nice option for the cooler weather. It is ready for use upon receipt. A list of service items since 1995 is included. Cosmetically, it wears its original paint, all glass is original 1938 and all rubber is original 1938. All chrome, with the exception of the bumpers, is original. Interior was refreshed and is a pleasant place to reside. I used this car during the fall, winter and spring months…with a working heater, is a pleasure! History: The car was originally purchased by the Pastor at St. Anne’s Parish in Fall River, MA. We originally thought this was the late Father James F. Lyons, but Father Lyons was not ordained until 1943, so the car must have been ordered by Father Lyons’ predecessor. Directional lights were added at some time before the mid-sixties and work perfectly. In the mid-sixties, the Church wanted to renovate the Rectory and asked Dick Welshman to plumb the bathrooms with high-end fixtures. When the Parish got the invoice for the bathroom fixtures, they asked Dick if he would take the Packard in barter exchange. Dick and his wife Lenora drove the car infrequently and maintained it as required. You can still see an original Texaco maintenance sticker in the door frame dating to May 26, 1972 when the car had 30,000 miles. Dick had a fancy for restoring cars, and became most fond of Corvettes. He started to accumulate Corvettes and would do frame-up restorations of them. He decided in 1995 that he did not have the time nor space for the Packard and offered it for sale. When I heard about the opportunity to own a piece of pre-war American history, I decided to purchase it. Our kids were pretty young at the time, and we would take the car out on Sundays for ice cream and scenic rides. With the demands of work and keeping up with family and projects around the house, I have been able to drive it mostly on weekends. Each winter, the car is put into storage, as I have never driven the car in the winter since owning it. In the twenty-three years that I have owned the car, we have only driven the car about 12,500 miles. Now that our kids are off to college, and our professional careers are increasing in demands of our time, we’ve decided that it would be best to pass the car on to a new owner who can appreciate this magnificent piece of Americana. Asking $19,500 and its located in Smithfield, RI More pictures and details at the link. Please take note of the seldom seen 1938 Packard Firewall decal intact. http://www.tomlaferriere.com/listings/1938-packard-1600-touring-sedan

The Cadillac Series 60 easily became the company’s best selling model which included more than half of all Cadillac’s sold in its introductory year. Cadillac improved the engine for the following year, enlarging its capacity to 346 cubic-inches and increasing its horsepower to 135. The Series 60 was an important model for Cadillac, because it continued its proud tradition of stylish bodies with exceptional performance. This 1938 Cadillac Series 38-60 with style number 38-6119 has been owned by the same caring owner for the last 54 years and is unrestored and original. It starts easily, runs smooth, cools properly, charges wonderfully and brakes as its should. It cruises nicely along with its 3.92:1 rear axle ratio and its 124″ wheelbase. This car can be used and enjoyed immediately upon receipt. Tons of pictures and more detail available at the link. Asking $14,500 and its located in my building in Smithfield, RI http://www.tomlaferriere.com/listings/1938-cadillac-model-60-sedan

This is an interesting older thread that I am bringing to the top. I, like Steve, have admired these cars since a kid. I am wondering after reading all this, did Bearcat have its own rear axle ratio? If a Bearcat was converted from a cart, I am wondering about the rear axle gear being different. Maybe a sales brochure would have the rear axle ratio's listed?

February 16, 2011 at 10:55AM

That is a great car for reasonable money.

1924 American LaFrance Speedster, S/N 4445, 126” wheelbase. All systems 12volt with alternator, new rod bearings and mains adjusted at restoration. American LaFrance exhaust whistle, Rams Horn Intake. 20 year old restoration, car driven on many tours, not a trailer queen. Good runner and driver, could use some paint touch up mostly on hood from heat and age. Sprockets changed, 875 RPM yields 45 MPH. This was the Speedster I met about 20 years ago that got me hooked on ALF Speedsters! It was the very first ALF speedster I ever saw and the owner offered to take me for a ride and it was a ride I never forgot. This was built by its current and very talented owner and has been toured 1,000 of miles since. This car can be entered into any rally upon receipt! Great Race 2020? Located in Michigan. $89,500. Video and Additional pictures at the link. http://www.tomlaferriere.com/listings/1924-american-lafrance-speedster

1956 Packard Caribbean Chassis No. 5699-1254 Series 5699. 310 bhp, 374 cu. in. overhead valve V-8 engine with Ultramatic transmission, front and rear Torsion Level suspension, live rear axle and four-wheel power-assisted hydraulic drum brakes. Wheelbase: 127” Once the best-selling American prestige manufacturer, Packard lost its primacy to Cadillac in the early 1950s. Until the 1920s, Packard, Peerless and Pierce-Arrow comprised the “Three Ps” of luxury automobiles. Of the three, only Packard survived the Depression, largely on the strength of a line of medium-priced cars introduced in 1935. Dramatic new “Clipper” styling in 1941 was so popular that the more traditional “Senior” series were dropped after World War II. New president James Nance arrived from appliance manufacturer Hotpoint in 1952. His new strategy was to distinguish the entry-level series from larger Packards, both visually and in prestige. Re-introducing the Clipper name for 1953, he applied it to the least expensive Packards, although his desire for a separate marque name was never fully implemented. Clippers had simple trim, smaller engines and fewer amenities, while the top-line Patrician series featured longer wheelbases, more elegant trim and a line of Executive sedans by Henney Motor Company, the professional car builders. At the top of the upper-mid-level series called simply “Packard” was a new Caribbean convertible. Modified by Mitchell-Bentley Corporation, the Caribbean had a full leather interior, chrome wire wheels, enlarged wheel openings, hood scoops and custom paint in one of four colors. Continued for 1954, the Caribbean was differentiated less from other Packard models but had its own distinct trim and was fully optioned. The 1955 model year brought great changes to Packard. A new skin gave the bodies a distinctly different appearance, and Packard’s first V-8 engine made its debut, in two sizes. The Caribbean returned as part of the Series 5580 Packard line, its hood scoops carried over and a distinctive rear fender treatment applied above the taillights. All available options, with the exception of air conditioning, were again included. The larger 352 cubic inch V-8 was fed by dual Rochester four-barrel carburetors, and the new electrically-operated Torsion Level suspension was standard. For 1956, the Caribbean became a model range unto itself, Series 5688, and a hardtop coupe was added to the line. Dual carburetion was continued, and increased displacement of 374 cubic inches resulted in a horsepower boost to 310. Acquired by the current owner in 1996, this handsome 1956 Caribbean convertible was previously owned by avid Packard collector Maximilian B. Roessel of Newton, New Jersey, whose name appears on a brass plaque on the dashboard. Its build sheet shows delivery to the Philadelphia branch in June of that year, consistent with its serial number 254 of 276 built. It was repainted in the original tri-tone colors of Dover White, Danube Blue and Roman Copper, one of four exclusive combinations. Performed by renowned restorer Steve Babinsky, whose work is recognized with many Pebble Beach awards, the task involved considerable disassembly and new weatherstripping. The reversible interior was also redone in correct matching fashion by Everlast Auto Interiors of Linden, New Jersey. The top likewise has been replaced in grained white vinyl, albeit without the correct contrasting color liner. The trim was professionally refurbished as necessary, replating some items and polishing others. The front bumper and taillights, for example, are original. The luggage compartment is clean and correctly detailed. An added bonus is inclusion of extra paint in all three colors, a few oil filters and various vital fluids. Mechanically the car has been consistently maintained throughout its 95,000-mile history. The only deviations from standard are an electronic ignition and installation of front seat belts and Goodyear Custom Cushion radial tires. The power braking system and transmission have been rebuilt, the latter by Ultramatic specialist Ross Miller, the push button controller by John Lauter. A new ring and pinion have also been fitted. The Torsion Level suspension works properly, as do all other conveniences like the power windows, power driver’s seat and the radio, interior lights. The engine, while in its original state, is peppy, does not smoke and has performed admirably with good oil pressure for nearly 20,000 miles of touring in its current ownership. The 1956 Caribbean convertible is exceeded in rarity only by its sibling hardtop coupe, of which just 263 were built. The 1956 Packard was one of the most technically advanced American automobiles of its day. This is a chance to acquire an extremely nice example with no excuses. This 1956 Packard Caribbean is located in Smithfield, RI and the price is $69,500. Many more pictures located at the link. http://www.tomlaferriere.com/listings/1956-packard-caribbean

The paperwork the seller has is all a buyer will need. If a car is registered in one of the 50 states to the owner/seller, it can be transferred to any other state or country. Quite simple.

Its a 90F formal Sedan, no jump seats.

Hi all, I am assisting in building a car collection and we are now seeking a 1942 Buick Model 90L (8 Passenger, Divider window). They made a 192 of them. 🙂 I am a member of the Buick Club and have reached out other owners of said vehicle as well. If you know of one, please let me know. Thank you, Tom Laferriere 401-651-2295

Matt, do you know the difference in the curved divider on the Formal and the Limo Divider (straight?)

Very reasonable.

Price reduction to $16,500

Very reasonable!!

It is a nice original interior.

I don't believe so. Original interior however.

It's on consignment from the NJ owner. Yes, there is a town town car somewhere, I recall seeing it, however we do not know of another formal sedan V-12. If you have that mag, can you take a few pictures of the article?