Paul Rusnak, a venerable figure in California’s automotive world, has spent over six decades at the helm of the car industry. His profound passion for automobiles is evident in his collection, where a 1946 Packard Clipper Deluxe stands as a magnificent centerpiece.
This elegant two-door coupe, a product of the immediate post-World War II era, contains a time when Packard, racing to meet surging demand, adapted pre-war designs to rival the likes of Cadillac. The opportunity to experience this automotive relic firsthand recently fell to Jay Leno, a renowned connoisseur of automobiles.
Beneath the hood resides a serene 356-cubic-inch straight-eight engine, complemented by an innovative ElectroMatic vacuum-operated clutch that presages modern semi-automatic transmissions. Rusnak’s life journey, from a young boy escaping the Great Depression in Czechoslovakia to the helm of a vast automotive empire, is as fascinating as the cars he adores.
His collection, a showcase of an impressive array of brands, is a tangible testament to his six-decade-long immersion in the automotive world. A symbol of his family’s prosperity in pre-war Slovakia, the Clipper held a unique allure in a land unaccustomed to such opulence. His father, a prominent Packard dealer, had introduced the car to the European market, a bold statement of affluence in a region emerging from the shadows of war.
However, the idyllic existence was shattered by the iron fist of communism. To evade the impending tyranny, the Rusnaks started on a perilous journey, their beloved Clipper serving as both a mode of transport and a symbol of hope. Sacrificed to secure their escape, the car became a poignant relic of a life left behind.
For young Paul, the exodus was a thrilling adventure, oblivious to the grave circumstances. Yet, upon reaching America, the harsh realities of immigration replaced the illusion of a carefree vacation. The once affluent family was forced to rebuild their lives from scratch, their world transformed from one of privilege to one of relentless struggle.
The boy who had known nothing but comfort was now immersed in a culture alien to him, his days filled with the arduous task of learning a new language and adapting to a foreign way of life. Through perseverance and determination, Paul emerged from these challenging beginnings to achieve extraordinary success. The entrepreneurial spirit ignited within him, fueled by the lessons of resilience learned during his formative years.
The Packard Clipper, once a symbol of his family’s past, has been meticulously restored, a living memorial to a journey that shaped his destiny. As he shares the road with Jay Leno, the car is more than just a vintage automobile; it is a tangible connection to a history that has defined him, a testament to the enduring power of the human spirit.
