Harry's Thoughts
THE ESSENTIALS
1941 Packard 120 Club Coupe
This has been owned by us for the past twenty (20) years and is a California car since new. It is extremely rare to see the sexy and sleek styling of a Packard Club Coupe. It is rarer still to see a proper and extensive restoration given to a 120 Packard. It is unknown how many of this body style were delivered, but the number know to be extant is very low.
With a 127″ wheelbase and the impressive straight-eight 288 cu in engine delivering 120 H.P. and considerable torque provide for a smooth and elegant drving experience.
The restoration was completed about 15 years ago with no expense spared. Every receipt has been retained for over the past 20 years. The car was bought by us in 1989 in the Beverly Hills area from a famous songwriter who had the car since the early 1970’s. When he acquired the car it was in its original livery of green.
He restored this motorcar in the 1970’s for he and his wife to use. His selected colors were the very common brown and gold. The car was regularly seen in LA in the 60’s and 70’s. I have a photo of this Packard in the early 1970’s two decades prior to my ownership. In our photo gallery to your right are numerous photos, including photos of the car prior to restoration and a few of it during the more recent restoration.
This car has never had any signs of rust or any major body repair. The entire car was walnut shell blasted and taken down to bare metal. The present colors are the correct and elegant Packard colors of Laguna Maroon Metallic and French Grey Metallic. The paint was the correct nitrocellulose lacquer ordered from Bill Hirsch. It still has a deep mirror finish.
The interior was completed in leather, as would be specified with a “deluxe” 120 interior. The headliner is completed in luxurious maroon wool broadcloth and the carpet is finished in maroon Wilton Wool. Both material selections were the very best and obtained from Bill Hirsch and are in excellent condition.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUHR9Ze5iuU[/youtube]The restoration included replacement or rebuilding every component. We thoroughly replaced all the rubber seals and the running board covers as ordered through Lynn Steele Rubber Products. The wiring harness was obtained by YandZ Wiring and included the integration of the correct accessory turn signals and fog lights. All the glass was replaced with the exception of the rear window as it is uniquely curved.
The restoration also included all of the chrome being replated, stainless steel trim polished, new cadmium plating as required, all new light bulbs and all the instruments were rebuilt completely restored and calibrated, etc. The chassis and engine were restored, with the engine and clutch being rebuilt recently, within the past 500 miles. The gas tank was cleaned and has a liner installed for a worry free long life. There is an auxiliary electric fuel pump that is only used for priming the car prior to starting.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQVseDJiIKk[/youtube]The car runs and drives excellently. It has the straight eight cylinder engine with considerable torque and three speed transmission. The gearing and drivetrain provide for excellent power and can easily drive with modern traffic and drive through mountainous terrain. We recently special order the production of Yokahama steel-belted radial tires to be modified with the proper whitewall galvenized on the side. This was done by Diamondback Radials and are virtually undetectable as radials by anyone, even experts. It does not have the overdrive installed and was delivered from new without a radio or heater.
This car would score very well in any concours. The paint has a fine patina that reflects an older restoration on a motorcar that has been carefully used and stored in an extensive collection of senior Packards and other fine classics. This car is being sold with a first right of refusal when the next owner chooses to sell this elegant and rare motorcar. To restore a Packard to this level would cost at least $70,000 to $100,000.
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