From what I am told, the Packard was purchased new in the Cleveland Ohio area where it spent about two years. From there it spent most of its life in the state of Georgia, then relocated back to Michigan in 1985. The car was discovered at the Hershey swap meet by fellow PINW member Gary Russell. As I understand the events from then on, he was so taken with the car he asked the owner if ever he decided to sell, he be given the first chance to buy it.

About a year later in 1989 Gary purchased the car and imported it into Canada. I first saw the car at Gary’s home in 1990. He was busy preparing the car for the 1990 PI tour to New Mexico. As most of the Packards I had seen in the Vancouver area were four door sedans, a 2 door hardtop really impressed me. I had never seen this model before. In the fall of 1990, Gary decided to sell it. Lucky me! Anyway, after much soul searching ( about 20 minutes ) we bought it. I figured if the car made it from Vancouver to New Mexico and back it must be in good running condition, especially since the car made it over a ten thousand foot mountain on a gravel road during the 1990 tour.

The next summer, my wife Sandy, myself and the Packard attended the 1991 PI national meet in Napa California and had a very enjoyable time. The Packard ran there and back with no problems.

In 1997 a friend Al Ganske, who just happened to be something of a wizard when it came to body and paint work, suggested I bring the car to his place and see what we could do with it. Being totally naive about these things, the next thing I knew the front clip was off and we were removing all the trim plus the old paint.

After two years of blood, sweat and tears and a few dollars we managed to finish the restoration in 1999. I generally do not show the car in shows, mostly out of fear somebody will find fault with something, but the car did manage a first and a best of class. The car has become a member of the family and both my wife and myself have had some great times with it plus maintaining great friendships in the car hobby and enjoying many fun tours.