We’ve seen prewar Packards converted into motorhomes, wreckers and the obvious hearses and flower cars, but church bus-slash-preaching pulpit is a new one for us. Fortunately, the seller of this 1925 Packard church bus seems to know all of its local history and what needs to be done to return it to its former state, so while this won’t make for an easy project by any means, it at least won’t be any harder than it needs to be. From the seller’s description:
A local church purchased 3 Packard’s and then customized them into Preaching vehicles for the church. They took church officials to meetings and gatherings. They preached on Sunday monrings in the City’s Park Blocks… at the back of the vehicle was a “Preachers’ Platform” where the preacher would give his sermon. Of the three customized vehicles, this is the only one left. Truly a rare piece of history!
This car has been stored since the early 1960’s. I believe that I have most every part… some may not be in the best shape, but they’re all here! There are new tires on the vehicle and most of the car has been primed. All the leather seats are virtually gone but I have a few of the original ones with the springs and horse-hair. It had beautiful black, tuck and roll, leather upholstrey.
The body is in great shape, very little if any rust. I’ve been sanding and prepping for primer and a base coat of white paint.
I am not a mechanic. I have had problems getting her started. My dad had it started a few years ago… so I’m just missing something. I thought the key may be the Ignition / Starter Switch in the dashboard. I took it out and carefully documented everything. I was lucky to find an original and have it restored. It’s like artwork now. Makes all the other instruments look bad!
I’ve decided that this is too big of a project for me! I’m just not getting it done.
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