This handsome Packard Twelve Coupe Roadster was originally delivered through Mountain Motors, of Denver, Colorado. Probably during the 1940s, it was actually converted to a tow truck by the Plains Hotel, of Cheyenne, Wyoming, which removed the rear deck and rumble seat and installed a wrecker boom! Fortunately, the car was eventually acquired by Don Norberg, of Bushnell, Nebraska, who was able to obtain the missing components from a California salvage yard. These parts were installed back on the car by the next owner, John Bergquist of Loveland, Colorado, who performed the Packard’s original restoration in the late 1960s.

In 1970, the car was sold to Phil Maloof, the well-known collector, who was then of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and in whose ownership it remained for nearly 30 years. It was then acquired by the present owners, who endeavored to research and document its history with the help of restorer Bill Godisak, of Sun Ray Restorations in Dowagiac, Michigan.

Through contacting Packard historians Charles Blackman and Jim Pearsall, among others, Mr. Godisak was able to track and recover its history as the ex-Plains Hotel car that had been sold new by Mountain Motors. Historians were also able to confirm and supply the car’s original vehicle number, 939-225, allowing the missing firewall tag to be accurately recreated.

The Packard was taken apart and carefully restored, during which parts were compared with factory blueprints, to ensure authenticity, and refinished properly. In addition, all mechanical parts were fully rebuilt, with a new, correct transmission being acquired and installed to replace the damaged original unit, and the generator and water pump was rebuilt with new components. The body was refinished in Packard Blue, with a gold pinstripe and a proper tan leather interior, which features seatbelts for safe touring. The interior wood, including the dashboard, was refinished to “like-new” condition, with very good original gauges.

This rare and authentic Packard now presents beautifully and is accompanied by a restoration file, which includes many receipts, photographs, and copies of the research into its history. Important to owners who drive their cars, it is also a “fit runner.” An RM Sotheby’s specialist recently had the opportunity to give it some exercise, stating that “it starts, drives, and shifts like it should, with good power.”

This is an ideal, genuine Coupe Roadster that is ready for participation in CCCA CARavans or to take to a show field. It is a lovely Full Classic with interesting history and beautiful lines, carrying one of the most famous engines of its era.