This custom chopped fastback '46 Packard was built in the midwest 20-30 years ago for Richard and Gail Ratty of Kansas Coity, MO. It was built by Doug Paterson (not sure I have his name right) who did a number of cars for Jack Walker. Then it was severly crashed and sold and has been in hiding for decades. OO Mack, or anyone, can you help me out with info. on this car and where it is now? Anybody got pictures of the thing? I saw it at a KKOA event in the midwest in the 70's or 80's.
More info on above car. It was sold by Rich Ratty to a 80 year old man in Scottsdale, AZ, and when he died his son got the car. Garage door smacked it somehow. Car was then sold to a guy in Colorado Springs, CO who owns lumberyards and has a collection of 13 cars, this is his only custom. He sold the lumber yards out to the Japanese but still apparently works the lumberyards and has a collection of cars. Anybody in Colordao Springs CO know anything of this car or the owner?
Have you tried looking in the Co. Springs phone listings on line for lumber yards and talking to the managers there? Co Springs isn't that big, so I bet the lumber people all know him if you give the details you just described above.
A very bitchen custom indeed. I really dig the step down in the door to allow large sidewindows with the chop and the severly leaned back windshield. I too have been wondering where its been hiding. A custom of this quality needs to be out and about. - Trying to post a photo, but the HAMB is not cooperating -
Great idea, and I was already thinking about that. Spoke with Rich Ratty last night and got some info from him. Stay tuned for the further adventures. I'd love to buy this Packard but am afraid the present owner will want too much for it. Always loved this car because it is different. The only thing I donm;t like about it is the back windows are upside down. Otherwise it is killer. Terry
Like the looks of that car, gives me ideas for my Packard. I would have liked to see the spear left on the side of the hood.
My favorite custom from the period, maybe my all-time favorite. Doug Thompson built the car in 1989-90. The rear windows are upsidedown '38 Dodge. Virtually every panel was reworked after the 3 inch section. This car flows like hot molasses! Rodders Digest ran a construction article by Tim Remus in March/April 1990.
In a further attempt to track down this slick 46 Pack I've got the names of 10 auto restoration shiops in colorado springs as well as 20 lumber yards and 4 police stations. But before I mail them all pix of the car, I've got Darryll Mayabb (I always spell his name wrong) from Arvada, CO on the case. He sez he's got a colordo buddy who knows where all the bodies are buried. Of course when I do find it the guy will want $200,ooo for the car and all this will have been for naught. Always loved this car because the guy had the balls to build something different and do a great job of it, both design wise and execution wise. Stay tuned.
I talked to Doug Thompson about this car many years ago when we met on a couple of different trips to Darryl's Induction Ceremonies at the Museum in Oklahoma. I had mentioned to Doug how the Packard reminded me of a newer version of "The Phantom Corsair", which has been on my Top Ten Favorites list ever since I saw a picture of it as a kid. Doug's eyes lit-up when he heard that and told me that was exactly the concept he was trying for with Ratty's car. And, yes, he succeeded ! Doug told me how, looking for the "right" taillights to put on the car, he ended-up finding them at a swap meet. Actually, he only found one. But when he asked the vendor if he had another to match that one, the vendor said "Maybe". He then scrounged around, found its mate, and sold 'em both to Doug ! And, that's how they perfectly fit and were installed on the Packard. Also, I have a scarce poster that both Doug & Richard Ratty signed for me. It's a 24X20 poster that features Richard in his Packard sitting side-by-side with John D'Agostino in his 1940 Merc "Stardust"...and they're sitting in front of "Ratty's Drive In" on a Cruise Night. (Artwork by REARDON, and it's spot-on perfect.) Sadly, I didn't have my recording equipment with me at the time or I would have all this for you to hear from Doug himself...he is a bonafide Hall of Fame Member, and a truly nice guy. That Packard is one of favorite customs, just a beautiful, perfect build. Hope this info helps fill-in some of the gaps for some of my fellow Hambers. Jonnie King www.legends.thewwbc.net Pix: Below Left...Doug & myself at Starbird's in June, 2003 Below Right..."The Phantom Corsair", by Rust Heinz (1938)
Apparently this is a re-list as I saw it for sale on eBay at least a month ago. This is a spectacular car and if I had that kind of spare change it WOULD be parked in my garage!!!
I believe that Packard made its debut at the KKOA meet in Holland, MI back whenever in the 80's. It is still one of my favorite customs - I just couldn't find anything wrong with it. Charlie
The Jalopy Journal
