January 5, 2013
The Way It Was: Me and the Packard
My father thought the Packard automobile was the best in the world. About 1952 this high mileage 1930 coupe appeared at a Charleston service station with a "For Sale" sign declaring that $125 would take it. My dad bought it because he was sentimental, he said, but I think its sitting in our driveway reminded him of happy years gone by. The elegant old car was not even licensed, but I had permission to drive it occasionally from street to garage. Needless to say I told all the kids it was mine and I was often seen waxing it. I dropped the carburetor one day and it shattered so that was the end of its running days. One day around 1954 a stranger asked Dad if he wanted to sell the Packard and Dad got back exactly the $125 he paid for it. Do I regret selling that grand old car? Today one like it would sell for at least $50,000! Photo from Richard Andre
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My father thought the Packard automobile was the best in the world. About 1952 this high mileage 1930 coupe appeared at a Charleston service station with a "For Sale" sign declaring that $125 would take it. My dad bought it because he was sentimental, he said, but I think its sitting in our driveway reminded him of happy years gone by.

The elegant old car was not even licensed, but I had permission to drive it occasionally from street to garage.

Needless to say I told all the kids it was mine and I was often seen waxing it. I dropped the carburetor one day and it shattered so that was the end of its running days.

One day around 1954 a stranger asked Dad if he wanted to sell the Packard and Dad got back exactly the $125 he paid for it.

Do I regret selling that grand old car? Today one like it would sell for at least $50,000!

Photo from Richard Andre  

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