Many collector cars pass through multiple owners over the decades. A 1927 Packard Series 336 Sport Phaeton living in Nashville followed a different path. The same family has cared for the automobile since 1962, preserving a piece of Packard history long after the company disappeared as an independent luxury manufacturer in 1956.
The story reaches back to St. Louis, Missouri. Fred Krug purchased the five-passenger touring car new from Berry Motors. Ownership proved brief. After a harsh winter, his wife decided she no longer wanted to travel in an open automobile. The Packard was lifted onto wooden blocks inside a barn in western St. Louis and left there. Years passed. Then decades. By 1960, the vehicle still sat untouched beneath shelter from the weather.
During a father-son Boy Scout outing, David Nau’s grandfather spotted an aging open-sided barn hidden in the woods. Curiosity led him inside. There he found the forgotten Packard resting on its blocks. His first attempt to buy the car failed. He stayed in contact with Krug for two more years. In 1962, the owner finally agreed to sell. The price was exactly $1,000. Cancelled checks documented the transaction.
Storage had helped preserve much of the automobile. Restoration remained extensive. David’s grandfather worked as a tool and die maker and relied on correspondence with collectors across the United States and Canada while searching for rare components. A July 1975 letter shows him seeking an intake and exhaust manifold assembly. When original parts could not be located, he manufactured replacements and specialized tooling himself. Finding components was never easy. Production of the 336 series reached only 1,245 units across phaetons, four-door sedans, and two-door runabouts.
Under the long hood sits Packard’s 6.3-liter straight-eight engine, measuring 384 cubic inches and producing 106 horsepower. The drivetrain prioritized pulling strength at low engine speeds and smooth operation on the road. Some details feel surprisingly advanced for the era. A steering-wheel-mounted manual throttle served a role similar to early cruise control, while a manual spark retarder assisted during cold starts.
Factory equipment added further distinction. Premium wire wheels increased the purchase price by $400. Dual side-mounted spare tires accompanied an optional second windshield for rear passengers. When new, a Series 336 Phaeton carried a base price of roughly $3,700. A factory-bodied Cadillac started at $2,995 during the same period.
The Packard later passed from David’s grandfather to his father, who commissioned another restoration. Today the odometer shows 63,000 original miles. David remembers riding in the rear seat as an infant. Years later, the same automobile carried him to his wedding. The family views the Packard as something far beyond a collectible. Sale plans do not exist. After ninety-nine years and generations of memories, ownership continues.
1927 Packard 336 Sport Phaeton – Photo Gallery
