- What looks like a beautifully restored 1939 Packard Business Coupe ended up in Canyon Lake in California.
- The classic car was parked on the ramp for a photoshoot when it rolled into the lake.
- The owner got “very emotional” when the authorities towed his vehicle out of the water.
An owner of a Packard Coupe was left with a sinking feeling (and a sunken car) when the vintage vehicle rolled into a lake in California during a photoshoot. Authorities retrieved the classic model from the water, leaving the owner understandably emotional.
The incident unfolded early Tuesday morning in Canyon Lake, a gated community in Riverside County, California. The owner of the maroon 1939 Packard Business Coupe parked it on the Eastport boat ramp and began taking pictures of the vehicle amidst the picturesque scenery. Under unknown circumstances, the Packard rolled into the lake, becoming fully submerged.
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Canyon Lake firefighters responded to the scene before 8:00 a.m. Assisted by the Riverside County Fire Department and Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Dive Team, they initiated a water rescue as they didn’t know at the time if the vehicle was occupied.
As reported by The Mercury News, the owner of the maroon Packard showed up around 8:20 a.m., informing the authorities that no one was inside the submerged classic. Canyon Lake Fire Chief, Jeff LaTendresse, said that the owner was “very emotional” during the process, adding that the Packard was “like his baby”.
Canyon Lake Fire Department
The classic car was towed out of the lake, and a special crew was brought in to clean up the oil stains. While the vehicle doesn’t seem to have any cosmetic flaws, the water likely damaged the interior and wiring, making repairs challenging. Hopefully, the owner will find a way to restore it and get it back on the road.
Pedro Gonzalez, an automotive curator at Carey’s Fine Automobiles in San Bernardino, estimated that the 1939 Packard is valued anywhere between $25,000 to $40,000, before taking an unexpected plunge into the cold waters of a lake.
