Clearing Up the Facts About Al Capone's "Last Car"

Back in 2012 I stumbled across what appeared to be an interesting car at the Ault Park Concours d'Elegance. The owner of the car claimed that his 1947 Packard Custom Super 8 Sedan had belonged to Al Capone just prior to the notorious gangster's demise. I've been exchanging emails with Mike David who has been able to shed some light on the true nature of this car. I recommend that you go back and read my original story here: http://turnerbudds-carblog.blogspot.com/search?q=Al+Capone%27s+Last+Car.

Below are a couple of email Mike sent with what he knows of the history of this car. And he should, the car was in his family.

Hi, My name is Mike David

I saw you asked me, for more information about the 1947 Packard car. I'll try and keep it as short as I can and answer you request.

My Daughter is starting a ancestors scrap book and is always is asking me questions. My fathers side of the family has a colorful past which I will not get into. She was doing some research and came across the article's on Herman David (Motorcycle Mike) My Dads father, my Grandfather, about the 1947 Packard. My dad would have confirmed the store if it was true, which he did not. My Grandfather would have also told me, as we were close, but he did not.  First of all my Grandfather was NOT the personal chauffeur or body guard of All Capone. He did know him and they were friends. My Grandfather loved cars and had many. I have pictures of most, among which were a Cord and a 1930 Chrysler Limo. I have the picture of it at my Grandfathers house showing the trunk. He had saved the trunk to store things in his bedroom. I now own that original trunk and its in mint condition. He purchased the Packard car new in 1947 for my Grandmother, with all the options that were available for it at that time. I have pictures of the car with them in front of church and other places when it was new. I really loved that car with the long hood and beautiful insides. I had asked him if he would sell it to me when he was ready and he told me he had lost the title and would get a new one. Time passed and I was a little upset when I was told he sold it to someone from Indiana for $3,000. I would have given him much more,  I guess he forgot that I wanted it and need some quick cash. I take my hat off to the gentleman purchased it and that restored it (it was in good condition) the car looks beautiful. What upset me a little about the article was the fact he believed??? everything my Grandfather said. It only take's a very little research to see the story can not be true, even without my own words. In 1946 Al Capone had the brain of a 12 year old. They were confiscating all his assets from his wife and his Florida estate to pay bills, as he had NO money (or couldn't remember if and where it was).

In 1947 the year the car was purchased and he died, he had no money and his brain was almost dead! How could a man in his shape, purchase a car with no money and have the ability to think he needed two of them so the police couldn't follow him, when his brain was so bad he couldn't think or function.  Displaying the car the way he has, since he thinks no one can prove or disprove the story, definitely makes a fascinating story and would increase the cars value if true.Sorry to say its not. He does own a car beautiful 1947 Packard, owned from some one who had a fascinating past, which a book or movie could be made, just not Al Capone's.

Hope I was some help,

Mike David

We did another brief exchange and he followed up with this email.

Yes, you can go ahead and post it and use my name. You can also use this email if you like. Again I think the gentleman that purchased the car and restored it, did a fantastic job. The only thing that bothers me is he is taking what my Grandfather told him as truth, when just a very little research would have been able prove it was a big story. I would find it very hard to believe that this gentleman really thinks it was Al Capone's last car. I believe that in early Jan. 1947 Al Capone had a stroke and died just a short time later in Jan. of 1947.  I don't know when these cars were available for purchase, but again Al was dead in Jan. of 1947 and had the brain of a vegetable long before that. Let me know if I can be of assistance going forward. I believe in doing whats right. Having the truth is what this word needs. Maybe the gentleman who said it is Capone's last car should have done more research to see if there were sons and grandsons  of Herman David ( Motorcycle Mike ), that would debunk the story. I'm surprised that he didn't find a skull in the back seat!

Mike

I hope this sheds some light onto the true history of this magnificent car.