40-50's Luxury coupes/sedans options.

Yeah packards are pretty awesome, and dont have much of a following so they can usually be had for cheap. 55 and earlier have all the straight 8 flat head goodness a guy could ask for. Auto trans, power steering, dual zone climate control. With the budget you stated you could buy an excellent packard, or multiple really good packards.

One of the owners at the brewery has a Studebaker sedan of some.sort he dd's all the time. It's not a hawk, its bigger. Name is eluding me. I suggest that.

psteav wrote: Chrysler 300. Hemi. Great lines (at least until '59 or so). Common enough to find them, rare enough to be worth something and unlikely you'll ever see another one at a show that's not marque-specific.

My favorite classic American car. This or a Packard.

Or an Imperial...

My grandfather had one of these, it was pretty awesome really. Very quiet and solid. Have no idea of their current pricing however.

psteav wrote: Chrysler 300. Hemi. Great lines (at least until '59 or so). Common enough to find them, rare enough to be worth something and unlikely you'll ever see another one at a show that's not marque-specific.

I was going to suggest a 300 letter car, too.

The 47 Packard would fit the bill almost perfect. Got to see how they price out. I like the Continental Mark II but its a little to close to the Tbird for me in overlapping functions.

Someone above mentioned it, nothing else seems to have the impact of a Mk1 Cloud at this price point. Parts are STAGGERINGLY expensive though in my limited searches. I am sure that with some hunting through they could be brought down to reality.

That Packard will eat all of your budget, you're probably going to have to shop carefully.

Trans_Maro wrote: That Packard will eat all of your budget, you're probably going to have to shop carefully.

I know, I know. If I sold the T bird I could go as high as 80K, or waited another 4-5 month, but I love my Tbird more then any car that I have ever owned.

FYI I passed on tat last super 8 that I looked at. It would have be very close to that number after the needed repairs and still no a 100% car.

This 1935 standard has been listed for the last two years at about 38K. Not exactly modern enough but I love the look and feel of one like this.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Packard-Straight-Eight-SPECTACULAR-ORIGINAL-CONDITION-MULTI-SHOW-WINNER-/391196915752?forcerrptr=true&hash=item5b15273828&item=391196915752

Not sure if you've driven any pre-war Packards but if that '35 is anything like the '34 Twelve and '32 Super Eight we have, it will surprise you.

I've found that the brakes, steering and acceleration on these cars is perfectly acceptable to keep up with modern-day traffic (maybe not interstate traffic).

The steering is a bit heavy in parking lots but is fine when underway, the brakes are more than powerful enough, the Packard cable actuated drums are huge and they are vacuum boosted. They're far, far better than comparable Ford brakes.

Only spent time in the later super's and thought that they were fantastic to drive, thought going back that far would be to much. Might have to find one semi local or fly out and give them a test drive, most of my collector friends are hot rods and classic Ferrari oriented not CCCA.

Not sure if this fits your bill but how about a 1947 Lincoln Continental Coupe flat head V12. http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/cto/5099653157.html

Jaguar MK VIII or MKIX?

I always liked the 1950 Olds Rocket 88

An IX wouldn't make me sad either.

you want a straight eight.

So the Cadillac rule is no longer in effect looking at a 57 this weekend. Will not sell on eBay talked with the guy and I feel like I might be able to get it sub 25K. Its the right color and options.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cadillac-DeVille-Coupe-/111712955857?forcerrptr=true&hash=item1a029c6dd1&item=111712955857

I could see doing a airride system and a real light white flake roof on the car above

That's funny. Im going to work on a four door version of that car tonight. Same color combo and everything. Sild on eBay last night, guy comes in tomorrow to drive it to new York. It has multiple missing bulbs and no working wipers....

Only $6000... seems complete... needs some TLC?????

http://portland.craigslist.org/clk/cto/5066921808.html

Late 40's-early 50's Buick Roadmaster, those things with the ohv straight 8 are goodness.

If I had your budget however, I'd be after a prewar straight 8 buick/poncho though.

Posted else ware. Bought a 57 Coupe De Ville. Car is perfect except some small issues from sitting. Carb is sitting in the hot tank right now and distributor is going out for rebuild /recurve just in case.

Congrats!