Heads up, Larry~! 1930 birthdate for this Packard... 1910 birthdate for the driver....

[lil' thumper]

Pebble Beach '12

Among the other winners, none stood out quite like Margaret Dunning of Plymouth, Mich., who steered onto the stage the 1930 Packard 740 Custom Eight Roadster she bought 82 years ago and has kept in running condition ever since, with emcee Jay Leno quipping that she still had three payments left

[barry2952]

If I had her money, I'd burn mine.

She's a very wealthy philanthropist that gives to the local arts. There are a lot of people in the old car hobby that see the arts as important to support.

[vwlarry]

Pebble Beach '12

Magnificent, regal machine.

[barry2952]

It was restored 50 years ago, I believe. It's not perfect, but they are both Grande Dames.

[Terandyne]

She's going back to college on a full scholarship

Fantastic. In every way.

[kowabonga]

“I love the old cars,” she told the Journal. “I love the smell of gasoline. It runs in my veins.”

To this day, Dunning still changes her own oil and spark plugs, and isn’t afraid to drive fast.

“It disturbs the policemen very badly, but it doesn’t bother me at all,” she said.

[Iroczgirl]

So wonderful.

[Lightnin']

These days, Dunning continues to drive her Packard, but the big steering wheel has turned into something of an obstacle.

She now uses a 2003 Cadillac for her everyday driving.

Aside from her love of classic cars, Dunning has become a philanthropist in her town, and built a library to honor her mother and donated over $1 million to the Plymouth Historical Museum.

“My mother kept telling me what a beautiful old world this is, and as I gain a few years, I realize what she was talking about, because each year I see more beauty in the things that I observe,” she said.

And a big steering wheel it most certainly is.



Active life.

[TopDown_]

Interesting to think of being that active at that age. I'd like to see what others her age group are doing.

Just walking for some that I know is challenging enough.

[Gavin Calistros]

To this day, Dunning still changes her own oil and spark plugs, and isn’t afraid to drive fast.

“It disturbs the passengers in the rumble seat very badly, but it doesn’t bother me at all,” she said.

FTFY

[turbinepowered]

It was restored 50 years ago, I believe. It's not perfect, but they are both Grande Dames.

It may not be perfect, but it still gets DRIVEN. That makes it more perfect in my eyes than someone's glass case showpiece.

Wonder where she gets her parts, though. Custom order?

[barry2952]

If you need a part and have money anything can be reproduced. If there's a market there seems to be a supplier. There is great support for Packards as they are so collectible and were built in surprisingly large numbers. Packard was a boutique builder and while they made most of the parts themselves many were off-the-shelf parts used on a multitude of other cars. There are many books that cross-reference parts of that era.

Understand too, that at the time that car was built it was fairly typical for a buyer to purchase a rolling chassis without passenger compartment to be bodied by an outside concern.

[turbinepowered]

If you need a part and have money anything can be reproduced. If there's a market there seems to be a supplier. There is great support for Packards as they are so collectible and were built in surprisingly large numbers. Packard was a boutique builder and while they made most of the parts themselves many were off-the-shelf parts used on a multitude of other cars. There are many books that cross-reference parts of that era.

Understand too, that at the time that car was built it was fairly typical for a buyer to purchase a rolling chassis without passenger compartment to be bodied by an outside concern.

I didn't know that about Packard parts. I'm guessing it's not the same for some other "legacy" automakers, like Cord?

[barry2952]

I didn't know that about Packard parts. I'm guessing it's not the same for some other "legacy" automakers, like Cord?

If the car is valuable enough the cost of having a part made is negligible. If it's a mass-produced car like the Model T or A there is a huge industry making replacement parts. Then there are NOS parts, often found in treasure troves in people's garages and warehouses.

You have to also understand that these were not terribly technologically advanced vehicles and had bushing and bearings and seals that are still off the shelf, as they have many industrial uses. I needed new front axle seals for my '33 Continental Flyer. I simply measured the OD of the shaft and the ID of the seal retainer and picked from a catalogue.

[Saintor]

Today I was at Fort Lauderdale Antique car Museum, dedicated to Packards.

There was one practically identical to this one (1930 Coupe, same color). Beside the car, there was even an July 2011 article on that Lady, so I thought that it was the actual car. However looking above, I see red leather but I remember having seen gray velour....not positive.... different cars or not?

That's a shame that America can no longer compete with world's best luxury cars. That museum was very good and I didn't know that Packard was so dominant at its time.

[barry2952]

Margaret will be our Grand Marshal at our show in St. Joseph next year. Should help attendance.

[thebanker]

She's going back to college on a full scholarship

[Air and water do mix]

Margaret will be our Grand Marshal at our show in St. Joseph next year. Should help attendance.

That's so cool I can't stand it.

Say "Hi" from me and The Car Lounge, Barry.

[Arsigi]

Margaret will be our Grand Marshal at our show in St. Joseph next year. Should help attendance.

Very cool.

I'll be honest and say that I always cringe a little bit when I see this thread pop back up, thinking that it might be a sad update.

[vwlarry]

Margaret will be our Grand Marshal at our show in St. Joseph next year. Should help attendance.

That is truly wonderful.

[barry2952]

Turns out one of our board members grew up living across the street from her.

If you happen to find yourself in southwestern Michigan on Saturday, August 10, 2013, you would likely meet her.

https://sites.google.com/site/concoursswmi/home

[Brimjolt]

She doesn't look 101. Would hit

I lol'd.