Buying a Classic Packard

In 1953 I had just purchased a 1951 Packard "400" four-door sedan and was enjoying it very much. (I was a Packard fan.) One day, when I brought this car to be serviced at the Packard dealership, the service man told me that a Mrs. Arthur Usher was selling a 1937 Packard limousine that had once belonged to her deceased husband, Arthur Usher. Mr. Usher had been a vice president at The American Locomotive Company until he had retired several years earlier.

"She wants four hundred dollars for it. But, it's not worth that," the service man said. "If you're interested, offer her one-fifty."

Enthralled, I contacted Mrs. Usher and accepted her gracious invitation to meet with her at her stately home in Niskayuna. Arriving at her front door, I rang the bell and was escorted by the butler into a sumptuous living room. After waiting ten minutes, Mrs. Usher entered and we began a discussion concerning the sale of the car. Escorted by Mrs. Usher, she and I strolled to an elegant two-car garage where an old Packard roadster and the limousine were parked. The Packard was a mammoth automobile, in like-new condition, with side mounts and a twelve-cylinder engine. The hood seemed a mile long. There were folding seats in the back. On top of the radiator was a large shiny metal bird that looked like a pelican with outspread wings. I fell in love with the car at once.

"Would you take one-fifty?" I asked.

Mrs. Usher instantly refused. "The price is four hundred," she said firmly. In a huff, I left the estate.

At home, I told Sally, my wife, how unreasonable the old crone had been. Why wouldn't she sell me the car for what it was worth? I moped about the house, the limousine constantly in mind. The service man had said the car was not worth the outrageous price she was asking. He should know what it was worth. Why was she being so obdurate?

Sally observed as my spirits deflated over the next several days. I wanted the car! It was something, the possession of which, is achieved only in dreams. It had been so close to my grasp and now I must reconcile myself to its loss.

A week went by and my mood worsened. Indeed, it changed to one akin to grieving. When I arrived home from work one evening, Sally said, "I have some news for you."

"Yes," I responded listlessly.

"I went to the bank and withdrew four hundred dollars from the savings account. I know you said this money was to be used only for emergencies, but I want you to have that car."

I cast off my pride and purchased it the next day!