tbirdman

Matt, I haven't checked to see what my rear end ratio is on my 32 coupe roaster, but at 55 worse case it would be 2625 rpms while if it has the typical lower rear end ratio for an open car, the rpms would be 2442. At these rpms, I don't see the need for OD or HS gears if I keep the car at 55.

No 3.56s are after market

I hve wrestled with this for a couple of years with my 32 Deluxe 8. My thoughts is the car is fine crusing at 50-55. Why do i want to go faster especially considering I have mechanical brakes? Regarding the high speed gears, the only ones I have found are 4.06s from Phil Bray for $1500 which for me will mean only a 10% reduction which to me isn't worth it. Every once in a while you find some 3.56s floating around, but they won't fit a 32 but 33 and later. The 3.56s be perfect for my 32 as I have a granny gear if I'm parked on a hill. All of the overdrives I have heard about cost in the $5000 range installed. What OD is Lloyd using for $1500? I have heard mechnaical Mitchell ODs being used that were in that range, but would require an addition lever that would be obvious in the seating area. Not sure why OD is not appropiate for show cars. Are the OD's deducted as they should not be readily seen unless you crawl under a car.Aslo with the push button that you described, sounds like the button could be hidden under the dash. I have heard some stories that both HS speed gears and overdrives are noiser though that may be due to improper installation.

Cross your fingers that everything will go well. Hopefully the radiator recore will help the overheating issue in 85+ weather. The radiator shop said it flowed ok but when they measured the temp difference from the top to the lower tank, it was only 20 degrees. They like to see at least 40. That is actually what we measured while the radiator was in the car. Other than that and some oil leaks, it runs well. From what I have read, because of design style differences and also the mechanical differences like IFS, the 37 is more desireable. If I had a choice between a 36 and a 37 I would buy the 37 though it would cost more. However I would take either in a heartbeat.

Somehow there was grit inside the engine which wore everything out. The Apparantly although the engine had been rebuilt twice in the past 10 years it was done half ass. Lookig for many years of driving this baby.

Dave, Thanks for your reply. I just went through an expensive engine rebuild last year. I did babbit the bearings as I believe that driving my 32 deluxe 8 coupe roadster at 50-55 should be fine. I went throught the expense also of the crankshaft grinding made more expensive by the previous rebuilder welding and epoxying the bolts. All new rollers were used in the valve train along with pistons, valves and springs. I was surprised at the cost of the rebuild. Max Merritt said someone was reproducing the 8 caps but the mold broke so no more were being made. I think I'm leaking a small amount oil out of the rear of the engine (there isn't a seal) so I'm jsut wondering if the rebuilder missed a step. I also have soem leaks on teh oil lines that I'm fixing that also may bethe soure of the oil leak. But it sure is nice to drive down the road without any smoke or the car behind you putting on their windshield wipers because of the smoke:D We just lost a good local resource this year.

Actually missed the best picture. The one of the pedestrian who was enveloped by this huge cloud of steam as we passed him slowly on the road. He did not have many kind words to say to owners of old cars.

Plastic slip covers for the convertible top. I guess I needed that for last weekend. Yes, the cars do not melt in the rain. We were stopped because the Desoto leading the cruise blew a head gasket. You can see the huge cloud of steam.

You might be able to get a 32 900 coupe roadster under $100K though it may be tough. Even the 120s open are bring 60-70K and in some cases over 100K. Also the 32 900 is on the CCCA Full Classic list.

We got the same law here in Oregon, but I'm always allowed to fill all my old cars myself. I would imagine the same in NJ as when I lived there, I filled my own motorcycle gas tank.

Steve, Thanks fr that color compliment. It's an interesting color as though I don't think it's outstanding, I do get a lot of compliments of teh color of teh car from people who do think it's outstanding. if I was repainting my car, I would be tempted to go witha silver or a dark green. There is a 32 Packard coupe roadster ad with a color scheme that I thought be interesting. Yellow body with black fenders and green interior. Maybe I'm crazy. BTW, the green 35 V12 that was listed, is very nice in person. The picture doesn't do it justice.

I would have to extend that Packard range to 32-34 not that I have an bias as a 32 Super Coupe Roaster owner. 32-34 are all very close in styling. I would shy away from a close car as they have not gone up as much as in relation to the open ones...or does that that mean that they are about to go up. Also an engine rebuild on a close car can is a much bigger percentage of a close car value for a 30s Packard. I found that out the hard way this year. I asked a very similiar question in 2005 on this forum before I bought my 32 Packard. I initially used the word investment, but quickly reworded it to what car would best maintain it value if you were interested in a classic. Never used the word investment with old cars unless you are trying to convince a spouse to buy one. I think muscle cars may still have room to go up though I think there's a interesting difference betweeen the cars. The open classic such as a 32-34 Packard may be less desired by those with 100K+ in their pockets to spend, but there's a lot less of them. So the demand to drive the price for open Packards may be the same as muscle cars just because there are much smaller number to chase. Personally I rather have a Packard as I rather be one of a few than one of many (Until I try to buy parts:)) And not to sidetrack, but I love the various rare statements about muscle cars at auctions which usually had to do with options including color and radio delete:) With 32-34 Packards (and otehr similiar cars) when you are talking rare, you are talking about absolute numbers of cars and not the combinations of options that make the cars rare.

I actually bought a 4 post lift because I wanted to work under a car, and I was not confident inmy ability to use jack stands properly. As I explained to people, eayh the lift was expensive, but I be glad to pay that money if the car ever fell on me. Of course it be to late then:) I also see a similiar comment when people ask about liftss? Where's the cheapest lift I can buy. You never see the question asked "what is the safest lsit at a reasonable price".:eek:

I'm puzzled by the statement that "I can't afford jack stands". Seems to me you can't afford not to have jack stands. If the car falls on you, you wish you had spent that money on jackstands.

I second Pauls. You get an itemized statement before though payment is due before they start work. I had two pieces that they redo. One was a flimsy trim and it had a piece broken off. They repaired it. The second piece I sent it back and asked them if they could do any better without losing detail. I has some pits in real hard to get places. Came back beautiful. Tehy also did a piece that a local shop with a good reputation failed on. They also did some overengraving on my headlight script so that the script came out looking factory fresh and not filled in. I wouldn't worry about cost as it get's expensive if you have to do it over with a poor plater. Plus if you don't do it over, then it just gnaws on you the poor job that was done everytime youget in your car.

Superods Just got my Hemmings today. A 37 Super coupe was a bid up to 110K and was a no sale. It was a #2 car. I think that is crazy money. However with the 32 CR, it could be a decent driver. Would I pay 100K for it. No, because I know I would put a lot more into to it than it's worth. But that's not how you price cars. It's a convertible from the three most desirable years (32-34) for collectors. This car was in much better shape than yours.

Congrats on the sale. It's interesting as we were debating a seling price on another 32 902 coupe roadster. I was thinking that the car should be selling for closer to 100K. Seeing yours selling for 47K gives some validity to my pricing.

Well Superrods just sold his 32 902 coupe roadster for $47K and it was in much rougher condition than this one IMHO.

From what I have seen V12 prices for a 32-34 coupe roadster are about 1/3 more than a super 8.

I totally agree with you on buying the best you can afford. I had a chance to buy a 34 V12 Convertible Victoria before I bought my 32 Delux 8 coupe roadster. It was about 50% more than what I paid for my 32 Super 8. After calculating the spent restoration on the 32 Super 8, The 34 V12 might had been the better buy. However I thought I was stretching with the 32 super 8. Also I liked the coupe roadster body style better than the convetible vic.

I am amazed at the price difference between a standard 8 and super 8. I'll compromise with 75K being a reasonable price though I'll reserve judgement until I see the car in person;)

My point is selling price doesn't correlate with what it takes to rstore these cars Car for sale price + restoration costs are a lot of times great than what the car is worth.

West, I think you should by it for $50K. A trip to Maaco and some Arkansas chrome, you'll be good to go;)

West, You are looking at what it would take so that you wouldn't be upside down if you did any restoration. Unfortunately that is not how cars are priced, though should be used in a buyers equation. $50-75K would be a steal and at these prices yes a buyer would get hurt, but I think this price should should be significantly above 75K. A 34 standard 8 in 2- condition was bought by a friend this summer for ~$160K. A sedan is this condition would go for $25-30k so hard to fathom a coupe roadster for 50K especially restored prices are 3-4X the close cars.