1937 LaSalle for sale?

[Gergstuff]

Hi,

I have had my '37 LaSalle sedan for about a year, and while I like it okay, I really have always wanted a pre-war Packard (I know, I know, SACRILEGE!).

The market seems all but dead for most collector cars so I suspect I will just have to keep it, but I figured I would create this post just to see if there might be some interest.

The car is a 30+ year old restoration and shows wear pretty much all over.  The doors are rusty at the bottom and have lots of bondo in them.  Assorted paint scratches and chips everywhere.  I would call it a 20 footer patinaed driver.  Runs pretty good, motor was rebuilt at some point, it will smoke when coasting downhill in gear (stuck ring(s)?) otherwise it doesn't seem to blow smoke at start up or when motoring along.  I was told it may be a later model flathead in there, possibly a '48.  Not sure how to tell really.

The interior is probably a replacement, light blue wool with a few wear spots, still presentable though.

I have done nothing to it mechanically other than change the spark plugs.

I drive it fairly often and just use it for what it is.  To cars shows, church on Sunday (really!) and Sunday drives, etc.

I will share all I know about it to an interested party either via e-mail or I will gladly call you to give you the run down.  I can supply pictures via e-mail too.

I would need $12,000 for it as that is what I had into the car that I traded for this one.  Perhaps I am dreaming?  I am sure some of you will let me know.

As mentioned above, I like Packards and would certainly consider a straight trade for a '35-'40 Packard sedan in similar condition or of similar value.

I am located in the NW corner of Washington state.

Let me know what you think.

Thanks,

[Rusty Shepherd CLC 6397]

I do a 1930-1949 Cadillac search on ebay and Classic Car Trader two or three times a week and while I wouldn't say you're dreaming at $12,000.00, my guess is that you're looking at about $8,000.00 for your La Salle as described.  There have recently been some really nice (probably #2) '37-'41 Cads and La Salles on sale and sold recently for around $15,000.00 and it seems likely that it would cost the next owner at least the $7,000.00 difference to get your car to a similar condition.  

[Rusty Shepherd CLC 6397]

An easy way to tell if your car has a 1941-1948 engine in it is to look at the heads.  If they are ribbed, it does.

[Gergstuff]

I kind of figured on the price, I could probably show some flexibility.  I would really rather negotiate a trade for the aforementioned Packard.

I don't recall seeing any ribs on the cylinder heads but I will double check.

Perhaps I should not judge the car too harshly but I know how difficult it is to consider the notion of buying a car without seeing it first.

I would rather have someone look at it based on my description and say that it was much better than I described rather than find it much worse than described.

Craig

[Rusty Shepherd CLC 6397]

I would rather have someone look at it based on my description and say that it was much better than I described rather than find it much worse than described.

Craig
[/quote] That's a seller's mindset that's as unusual as it is admirable.

[Gergstuff]

That probably explains why it takes me forever to sell things but since I am in no hurry it doesn't matter much to me.

Thanks for the kind words.

Craig

[Gergstuff]

217 lookers and no inquiries?

Isn't anyone buying these days?

If it is a price issue, I am willing to listen to reasonable offers.

I still have designs on a pre-war Packard though.

Craigf

[Gergstuff]

Just want to keep me at the top of the list here.

So far I had an offer to trade for a '47 Studebaker which I have politely declined.

Craig

[Dave Leger CLC #19256]

Craig,

   You might go to the AACA forums ( http://forums.aaca.org/ubbthreads.php ) and scroll down to the Packard forum and post a note there.  It gets a lot of traffic, maybe someone with a pre-war Packard will speak up.

Dave

[Gergstuff]

Hi Dave,

I already have a post of the buy/sell AACA forums, I will give the Packard forum a try too.

Thanks for the input.

Craig

[Gergstuff]

Does a price drop to $11,000 stir anyone's interest?

Craig

[Gergstuff]

I put the car up on e-bay with a complete description and lots of photos.  If it doesn't meet the reserve then my path is clear that I need to do a bit of work on it this winter and forget about my Packard for now.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&sspagename=ADME%3AL%3ALCA%3AUS%3A31&viewitem=&item=330271349993

Thanks,

Craig