Packard Darrin Modified-Why??

[West Peterson]

I missed out trying to buy a car just like that a few years ago. I wonder if that's what's happened to it. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

[tbirdman]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I missed out trying to buy a car just like that a few years ago. I wonder if that's what's happened to it. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> </div></div>

This was completed about 2000.

[West Peterson]

The Darrin... or the '38 five-passenger convertible coupe? It was the '38 I was referring to. I have never had the crazy idea that I could ever afford a Darrin.

[Guest BigKev]

That car was found in the Berkley, CA area by the current "owner".

[tbirdman]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The Darrin... or the '38 five-passenger convertible coupe? It was the '38 I was referring to. I have never had the crazy idea that I could ever afford a Darrin. </div></div>

I was thinking of the Darrin. I understood that the Darrin went for prettyy cheap when acquired because the rough shape it was in.

[mrpushbutton]

http://forums.aaca.org/showflat.php?Cat=...;gonew=1#UNREAD

the beat goes on my friends, and it's only going to get worse

[Packard enthus.]

I hope you are kidding....please...tell us you are kidding..

[Loyd Smith]

I would REALLY like to think that this guy is kidding but all evidence points to the contrary.

I've seen one REALLY nice rod built from a '37 Super Eight that was too far gone to restore AND I understand that. It was done by a fellow who has been restoring Packards for close to 40 years and was very tastefully done with an eye toward retaining the unequalled ambience of the original. Why ANYONE would destroy one of these truly magnificent machines that was all there and in like-new condition is beyond the pale of human comprehension - but it is being done, daily.

Mr. Pushbutton is, unfortunately, correct. Part of the heritage of our modern society seems to be reflected in its continuing efforts to take what was once superior and to make it as common and mediocre as possible.

[K8096]

That butchered silver 1938 could have been a Super Eight and not a Twelve. The Twelve had a circular red cloissone medallion towards the front of the hood side trim. That car shows no evidence of having that. While I'm not condoning making any Packard into street rod, it does seem they are using the least desirable body style for many of these - the 5 passanger coupe.

[Packard enthus.]

WRONG - you may be thinking of the 1939 Twelve.

The 1938 Twelve did NOT have any emblem on the side panel of the hood. If you saw one on a '38, it means that at some point AFTER the 1939 came out, someone ordered it from PARTS and installed it later.

[K8096]

I'll have to look into that. I have a friend with a totally original 1938 1608 limousine & it has the red medalions on it. It was originally owned by a funeral home, and then sat for many years before he bought it in the late 50's or early 60's for a few hundred dollars. I don't think anybody ever monkied around with the trim on it. Maybe it's a late 1938, or maybe the dealer couldnt sell it, so they put the medallions on it in 1939 to keep it "up to date."

[Packard enthus.]

There are differences between the 1938 and 1939 Twelves. First, the medallion on the hood on the '39 goes on a different "vent casting" then was supplied in 1938. That casing has a round portion to mount the medallion, that the '38 does not have. Secondly, the dash instrument faces are different, and the '39 Twelve radio has a provision for push-buttons, that did not exist in 1938. Thirdly, most '39 Twelves had a column shift. Fourthly, the '39's had alternate radiator shutters PAINTED. Fifth - hub-caps are different - '38 is smooth; '39's have a ribbed surface. Finally, the engine numbers in those days served as Identification Numbers for registration purposes. The dead give-a-way is the prefix on the engine serial number. 1938's began with an "A". 1939's began with a "B".

Of COURSE a subsequent owner could have done all kinds of things that did NOT come out of East Grand Blvd.

The Packard of the pre-war years did not, to my knowledge, engage in the gross fraud of trying to pass off previous year's cars. In any event, in the case of the Twelves, there would have been no reason to. All '38 - 39 Twelves, except for the first few dozen built at the start of 1938 production, were built ONLY when there was a SPECIFIC dealer order.

[West Peterson]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> it does seem they are using the least desirable body style for many of these - the 5 passanger coupe. </div></div>

You gotta be kidding, right?

[K8096]

What do you consider to be the least desirable body style? Ok, maybe the LWB 7 passanger limousine without divider, but the 5 passanger victoria coupe is right up there. A 2 passanger coupe or club sedan is a far more desirable body style than a victoria coupe in most peoples minds.

[Steve_Mack_CT]

Personally I like the Victoria but it is kind of like arguing over who is the least desirable lingerie model, right? The point is this is a sorry trend. Buying & cutting up a restored or super nice original Ford bothers me, but admittedly there are probably more 1930 A Tudors around than all the Classics combined between say, 28 to 34. My guess is the hobby can expect to lose around 5% of the true Classics to hot rodders. The appeal may be limited but the money seems to be there, as do those who miss what these cars are all about - Not good at all. If you predicted these trends in say 1977, imagine the reaction of most hobbyists.

On the plus side at least the latest guy is making some nice parts available.

[mrpushbutton]

Steve, I think your 5% figure is low, especially in 10-15 years time. Rodding is GROWING, our "preservationist" circle is static in growth, and as they say in some businesses "if you aren't growing you are dying"

more of them

-less of us

<span style="text-decoration: underline">+ more cars hit the market simultaniously</span>

=lots of streetrod projects

[West Peterson]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What do you consider to be the least desirable body style? Ok, maybe the LWB 7 passanger limousine without divider, but the 5 passanger victoria coupe is right up there. A 2 passanger coupe or club sedan is a far more desirable body style than a victoria coupe in most peoples minds. </div></div>

Like Steve said, it's all personal choice, but I don't think you'll get many people to agree that the victoria is near the bottom of the desirable list.

My personal preference places the victoria at the top of the list for regular-production closed cars, with the club sedan (or sport sedan) followed right behind. The two-passenger coupe is in the middle of the pack, with six-window sedans and limousines at the bottom.

[K8096]

You're right, it is a matter personal choise. If you look at re sale values, club sedans and 2 passanger coupes generally bring more money than the 5 passanger victoria coupe body style, and since we live in a free market capital society, that would lead me to believe those other two body styles are more desirable. I'm not saying victoria coupes deserve to be made into street rods, but they do seem to be a very popular with the street rodders, probably partially because the base vehicle can be obtained at a lower price than other body styles.