What is a good first car?

[1913Mercer]

I know someone who loves antique cars, like large cars of the 30's, and who admires Isotta Fraschini and Stutz DV-32s

 

I was wondering if anyone has any recommendation for a good first antique car for him.

 

He likes:

-Large cars, and anything from the 1900-1940 era!

 

Thank you so much!

[alsancle]

Kind of an open ended question.   Are there any other requirements?  If budget doesn’t matter I would say Duesenberg.  If it does than I say Buick.  
 

If driving doesn’t matter than the 1920s gives you a less expensive car with open fenders.

Edited June 14, 2021 by alsancle (see edit history)

[1913Mercer]

Hey there, thanks for the reply, I would say that he would want something luxurious but somewhat easier to drive.

What are some not-too-hard-to-drive cars from that era?

[Walt G]

From my experience ( I am talking a fairly long multi times use, not a ride around the block once - hours behind the wheel) Chrysler  and Franklin drive ride very easy and very well, go all day at 50-55 mph up or down hills) . I only know Buicks of the 1936-41 era and own a 1940 Roadmaster, great ride, drive and if it has the 320 cu in engine lots of power to spare. I have owned and currently own a pre war Packard - great driving my 1930 and for decades I drove my 1941. Would your friend want a floor or column shift? Cadillac V8 of the late 1930s early 1940s I have had experience with also , excellent driving cars. I will not pass comment ever on anything I have not spent some considerable time behind the wheel of.

Edited June 14, 2021 by Walt G
typo (see edit history)

[SC38dls]

The most complete, best running car you can drive and afford!  Simple as that so you will enjoy the experience and not be frustrated having to do repairs. 
Have fun. 

[1913Mercer]

I sometimes worry about keeping the mileage low, but, you only get one life, so, maybe take advantage if its not too rare...

[1913Mercer]

I would want something for him to drive on the freeway

[alsancle]

Mid 30s Packard.  A twelve if he can afford it.

[1913Mercer]

How fast are those

 

[1913Mercer]

Open or closed

[1913Mercer]

He might want to have guests ride around...His friend really likes classics

[Matt Harwood]

The important question: what's his budget?  Here are two fast, comfortable, easy to handle collector cars. They're big enough for full-sized adults to ride in back in comfort (top up, anyway). Service parts are readily available for both. Both are rare and unusual enough to get noticed at shows. Both are in ready-to-use condition. Red Packard is a Full Classic and therefore eligible for more events than the Buick but the blue Buick is a better car to drive and is a more manageable size.

 

$45,000:

$170,000:

Edited June 14, 2021 by Matt Harwood (see edit history)

[1913Mercer]

Wow, those are so cool!

He loves those, but he thinks that maybe something earlier would suit his wants/needs better!

 

Those are incredible, in my opinion!

 

You run this place, i suppose

https://www.harwoodmotors.com/vehicles/inventory_results.php

 

Cool beans!

I always dreamed of photographing cars for a showroom like that, Cool!

[Matt Harwood]

The older he goes, the slower the cars get. Pre-1935 or so, I'd stay off the highway.

[60FlatTop]

1 hour ago, alsancle said:

f it does than I say Buick.  
 

Excellent advice. Can't go wrong with the car or the Club, BCA.

[alsancle]

This could go on for a while.

[1913Mercer]

Sure!

Thanks for your responses, this has been very helpful so far!

[1913Mercer]

I think he told me his budget might be under 40,000 dollars.

A bit more limiting.

 

[John Bloom]

OK, I'll take a stab......

 

You have mentioned he likes Isotta Franschini, and Stutz........he has high end taste.

Large?   not sure how you'd define that but..........over 130 inch wheelbase....?

Highway speeds attainable....

Earlier than the mid/late thirties example Matt suggested.....

Budget of 40K.....

 

How about the Chrysler Imperial Closed cars around 1932ish, or the larger Buicks (90 series) from that same year range .  The look that you seem to imply he wants (earlier car), Enough displacement in those 8 cylinder engines to move it at highway speed, large profile (134 inch Wheelbase for the Buick, and 135 or 146 for the Chrysler Imperial) and if you shop for closed models, you can find something in your budget of 40K.

 

 

[alsancle]

I don’t think you are finding a decent CG or CL sedan for 40k.

 

I think Buick it is.  You can get a nice series 90 sedan for 40k

[58L-Y8]

Don't overlook the 1931-'33 Buick Series 80, same 345 ci eight, not as long wheelbase but still impressive.  Might also be more manageable to handle and a relatively peppy performer. 

 

A 1932 Chrysler Imperial CH sedan would fill the bill as well, though tough to find at $40K.

Edited June 15, 2021 by 58L-Y8 (see edit history)

[1913Mercer]

Beautiful ideas I will definitely share with him

[George Smolinski]

What about this one? 1940 Packard Super Eight Limo

It's posted by alsancle in the Not Mine Cars for sale forum. There's a link to Ebay where it's posted & it's at $19000 & change with less than 2 days to go.

[1913Mercer]

Oh is there a link

[nickelroadster]

I would also ask him about how he intends to maintaine it.  Does he have any mechanical ability or would he be farming work out.  You say he wants to be able to drive on the freeway.  Is he looking fro something to use as a daily driver?  Are his expectations within reason?

[John_S_in_Penna]

5 hours ago, 1913Mercer said:

I would want something for him to drive on the freeway

 

5 hours ago, 1913Mercer said:

He loves those [late 1930's Packard, 1940 Buick], but he thinks that maybe something earlier would suit his wants/needs better!

 

He'll have a lot of fun, but knowing how he realistically

will use the car will help us give the best recommendations.

 

Be careful, because his wishes conflict:  Earlier years,

but capable of freeway driving.  Meeting both of those

criteria eliminates most cars.  In 1928, for example, a 

survey showed that most people never drove over 45 m.p.h.

Which of those 2 criteria is most flexible?

 

Does he live in a busy, traffic-filled area?  Or does he have

access to plenty of back roads and small highways?

For example, my large 1916 car is happy at 25-35 m.p.h.

because the speed limit in the open countryside was 24 m.p.h.

at that time.  

[John Bloom]

1 hour ago, alsancle said:

I don’t think you are finding a decent CG or CL sedan for 40k.

 

I think Buick it is.  You can get a nice series 90 sedan for 40k

I think you’re right AJ, I think I’ve seen some Imperial’s in that year(s) sell at that price range, but they were examples that needed some love or weren’t proven drivers in the recent years. They are great looking cars that I didn’t pay much attention to until just a few years ago.

[Jon37]

Has this guy ever actually DRIVEN a car from the thirties?  Many of us who've owned them for years are absolutely comfortable behind the wheel.  But someone who has only idealized them from afar, having taken the wheel for the first time, may suddenly discover that they are a different kind of animal from what he's used to.  The car's handling, steering, braking, visibility and a cruising speed of barely 60 mph in 75 mph traffic, may open his eyes.

 

Find a sympathetic and trusting owner of a thirties car and arrange for your candidate to borrow it and get out onto the road for some firsthand driving experience.

 

I'd say he should focus on something from as late in the 1930's as he can put up with.  A car with overdrive (4th gear, essentially), a reasonably powerful engine, and of a marque that is not too obscure (when it comes to finding parts).  Good hydraulic brakes, I.F.S., and electric (not vacuum) wipers are a plus.  And he'd better be ready to learn how to tinker and maintain.  My first car (back in 1964) was a '39 DeSoto and I lucked out; it served me faithfully as an everyday driver and I learned a lot while owning it.  There are many good cars out there, but they improved vastly through the 1930's.  Night and day between 1930 and 1940.  Recommend that he buy a good solid late-thirties family car firs.  Let him deal with the Isotta Fraschini later.

[mike6024]

 

https://www.facebook.com/100015021377566/videos/1140658649778170/

 

Airflows are suitable for highway/freeway driving.

 

Edited June 15, 2021 by mike6024 (see edit history)

[George Smolinski]

9 hours ago, 1913Mercer said:

Oh is there a link

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1940-Packard-Super-Eight-/124765017773

 

Here's another: https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/d/fremont-1938-buick-special/7331429925.html

[John_S_in_Penna]

22 hours ago, 1913Mercer said:

I was wondering if anyone has any recommendation for a good first antique car for him.

 

A realistic view is the best for any newcomer.

Does he live in an area where there are many pre-war

cars, and therefore mechanics very familiar with them?

Here, even in the heart of antique-car territory, there

are fewer than there were.  In many places, such

expertise doesn't exist.  And even experienced

do-it-yourself mechanics benefit from friendly helpers

now and then.

 

He should know that those cars take much more maintenance,

and repairs can be very expensive.  So he should set aside

several thousand dollars to spare.

 

If that's not the case, he could get a 1960's Cadillac.

It would be fine for the highways, which was a criterion

you mentioned.  Many modern mechanics could work on

them.  He might therefore get more enjoyment out of his

first antique car.

 

Edited June 15, 2021 by John_S_in_Penna (see edit history)

[Matt Harwood]

Sounds like your friend could benefit from this:

 

[Pilgrim65]

I think Matt hit the nail on the head , decision time !

Ive been reading this and some great advice given , but very difficult to read someone else’s mind when making a 40k decision and I’m not optimistic 😁

[bryankazmer]

I have to comment on the "freeway driveable" criterion.  (And I have used a prewar car as an everyday driver).  The flow of traffic on freeways here is generally 75-80 mph.  There is a big difference between an occasional 55-60 mph leg of a trip on a highway and expecting to be a rolling pylon everyday.  It's neither safe nor OK to be routinely driving 20 mph under the flow.

[George Smolinski]

2 hours ago, bryankazmer said:

It's neither safe nor OK to be routinely driving 20 mph under the flow.

Yes, please stay the h__l out of my way & for God's sake GET OUT OF THE LEFT LANE!

[1913Mercer]

Quite right, you Must stay with the flow of traffic.

 

 

[pkhammer]

Talk to Brian Rhodes at Bruce Elder Classic & Antique Autos in Staunton, Va. They have a very nice '39 Packard Eight Coupe there for $39k/neg. The owner recently spent WAY more than that on a complete engine, transmission and rear end rebuild.

 

https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/cars-for-sale/packard/eight/2470151.html

 

[1913Mercer]

Oh interesting, that is great, i will forward it to him

 

[1913Mercer]

 

 

[1913Mercer]

Sorry for the blank reply