Five years later this car is now spruced up and sits outside the Boot Hill Gift Shop in the “Town too Tough to Die” Tombstone, AZ. !
I don’t know too many car peeps that don’t have a soft spot for abandoned cars. Either they stir up distant memories of years gone by or inspire you to think of all the possibilities for that misused piece of iron. One of my hobbies is to photograph abandoned car when I get the chance. Whether they are just sitting in a junk yard, or field or even being used as advertising they mark the passage of time.
On the outskirts of Tombstone, AZ. is where you’ll find this car. It’s easy to spot as it is the ‘landmark’ advertising car to get you to stop at the Boot Hill gift shop. Clearing abandoned at some point, it was dragged to its current post many years ago and is a bit of a tourist attraction.
Greeting you at the edge of the town “that’s too tough to die” Tombstone, AZ is this 1939 Packard.
As you can tell it purely used as prop now.
This Packard 120 still retains it 288 Straight Eight engine. Look like with a little TLC it will roar to life.
The 288 (sometime called the Super Eight) produced 150 HP. Not a lot for all that American steel. But speed wasn’t a factor when you are headed to the local ‘boot hill’.
It’s a fair piece to bring a body to Tombstone, AZ from Texas.
Although the Arizona heat is tough on car interiors this one still retains all of its details. Has the shift column and I’m betting the new for 1939 Overdrive.
Henny began using the Packard chassis 1937 replacing the stretched Model A chassis.
This old hearse has a ton of character and prominent place at the edge of town.
Thanks for reading.
Tim
On The Road To Pebble Beach In A 1939 Packard
Powers, beloved journalist, dies at 93
Hi, I know this article is 5 years old, but is this hearse still there? Is it for sale? I am a funeral director and car collector in New Zealand and looking for a Packard like this. Thanks, Glenn.