David Clough's 1941 Packard

A 1941 Packard, which has been sitting in a barn for the past 30 years, is now back on the road, thanks to David Clough of Joseph. Clough inherited the antique vehicle from his collector father-in-law, Fred Kaup, who drove it back to Joseph from an auction on the west side of the state in 1980. As far as Clough knows, the antique was stored in a barn with some of Kaup’s other old rigs from that time.

“It’s stone stock, and actually in really good condition,” said Clough, who drove it around Joseph for the first time two weeks ago.

Purchasing agent for Valley Bronze, Clough has been getting the antique ready for the Mountain Cruise car rally in the foundry’s monument building.

“I’ve had to clean out the fuel tank, put in a new fuel pump and work on the electrical system,” said Clough, who worked for years as a mechanic in Wallowa County. The silver-and-burgundy paint job – from a previous restoration job – has oxidized in a few places, but shines up nicely.

He said his Packard, manufactured prior to World War II before the company turned to building engines for military aircraft, is “very collectible. … “I drove it to the Wednesday car group that meets in Joseph and they were thrilled. … I’ve always had cool cars and this is definitely a cool car.”

He added, “It’s a special thing, a very unique piece of machinery. I would hate to see someone butcher it and put a hot rod motor in it.”