I was not on my own at this time, I was working for another shop. I can't take credit for the paint, body work or upholstery but I did completely dismantle, clean, repair and reassemble this car to a running, drivable state and it's still one of my favourite cars of all time.
A 1934 Packard 1107 Coupe Roadster.
Yes, I'm aware that the pinstripe is missing. That was not my decision.
Shawn, that is fabulous. An iconic car to have been a part of. I'm sure you'll always feels a level of connection to it.
I jokingly told the owner: "This is not your car, this is my car. Your name is on the registration so you treat it like it belongs to you."
Beautiful. If you had to describe what a classic car is to someone who had no idea, you could just show them a photo of a ‘34 Packard and they’d get it.
The hood shot is fantastic. Too many restored cars have transverse ripples in the upper hood, destroying the reflection. That would drive me mad. I don't know why it isn't caught when restorers are performing wet sanding.....
Yes but, we really do over-restore cars now.
I'm sure most restorations are much nicer than they ever were from the factory.
I do appreciate the guys who have the deep pockets and force of will to make things absolutely perfect.
Arguably the best year/production body style for Packard.
Looks fantastic - I could live without the pinstripe!
I thinks that is the consensus with the Packard guys Steve. Powerful, easy to shift, stylish, etc. It ticks a lot of boxes. For purse looks I want a 745 or a 9th series with the open fenders. But for most guys 34 is the sweet spot for prewar Packard.
34 Coupe roadster is probably the iconic pre-war Packard. Personally, I would want the coupe, but beggars can’t be choosers. Have a friend that owns one of these and I can tell you they’re fantastic drivers.
AJ, I’ve always wanted a 6/7/8 series roadster, but lately have been obsessing with a Long WB coupe.
I flirted with this car a couple years ago, bought something else, came to my senses and circled back to the seller to buy it and was about a week too late……. Still sad about it.
I have Champagne taste and beer money.
While I was working on the 1107, I came across a 120 Coupe in tired but original and very drivable condition. I could have brought it home if I wanted to be financially irresponsible but I passed.
Shawn, the 34 looks fantastic. Which parts of the restoration were your responsibility?
@JohnBloom you and I have had this conversation before. The one I'm made at myself about is the 745. Only one I've ever seen for sale and it was 60 miles from my house.
Yes, that was the one. My memory was it was somewhere in the 50-70 price range. It was advertised as a stalled restoration but I think it was very far along, maybe the last 10% would have broken your spirit, but I would have liked to rolled the dice. It eventually disappeared and I wondered what happened to it, until a friend clued me in to where it rests today, along with other 745 examples.........A usual suspect. The car is in great hands.
I know we commented on how rare it seems that no one in the past made it into a 745 roadster.......If you told me it was the only 745 coupe, I'd believe you.
Yes, it went to the place where all cool projects go to hide. I usually see him and his wife every year at Pebble.
Remember when this was for sale? Only known 1929 Dietrich coupe? Thank god I didn't fall for it.
I’ve never seen that photo or car before. I must’ve missed it. Please do share the rest of the story?!
I will do a full post on it.
@alsancle I was the mechanic.
I did a full tear-down, inspection, repair as necessary on the car.
I went through the engine, gearbox, axles, brakes, etc. Made new suspension bushings, rebuilt the Bragg-Kliesrath brake booster and valves, rebuilt the carburetor, rebuilt shock absorbers, all new gaskets and seals in the engine. I also assembled the car after all the bits came back from the body shop and chrome shop.
The engine and transmission were in great shape internally and had been rebuilt sometime in the past as one cylinder was sleeved.
The timing cover had to be replaced due to corrosion, I also built a new water pump shaft and modified the pump for modern seals.
Beautiful work @ShawnG !
Thank you!
What a kick ass car.
