My next project? 1921 Packard Coupe

6 minute(s) of a 548 minute read

Not much work on the Packard this afternoon. As we have the VSCC "Two Day Rally" over the weekend I have been checking the fluid levels in the Lagonda Rapier. Pulled out the four spark plugs checked the gaps and screwed them back in. All I need to do now is to fill the tank with 98 octane u/l petrol and we should be right to go. The 1934 Rapier engine has hardened valve seats and running on 9.5:1 compression ratio it is happy on Premium unleaded. The Rally starts on the outskirts of Geelong about two hours drive away which will mean an early start from home on Saturday morning.

One hour latter. I had a last minute thought and have spent the last 50 minutes jacking the car up to check the rear axle oil level (OK) grease the uni joints on the drive shaft, grease all the shackle pins, the king pins and steering joints, checked the tire pressures (OK).Checked the water level in the radiator (OK). So now it should be really ready to roll. Now at 6.00 pm it is "Drinks time"

Cheers

9-25-2011

Hi 

Here in Eastern Australia it is just 6.00 pm. Sunday evening. We have arrived home after driving in the 1934 Lagonda Rapier a total of 437 miles since 8.00 am Saturday morning. Apart from the transit (Highway)miles from Melbourne to Geelong and return, most of this has been done either along sections of the "Great Ocean Road" and/or through the Otway Ranges in the South West of Victoria. Much of this well off the beaten track including about 20 miles of winding dirt roads.

Time for a well earned drink now. More later.

9-26-2011

Just a few photographs from our weekend of motoring. First some of the cars at the start. then a couple taken out along the route. For those who may be interested the first photograph reading from left to right are Alvis 12/50, Sports Morris Cowley, Sunbeam, Bugatti Brescia, Alta and Delage. The second Photograph is a Talbot 110 Team Car Replica, the third is a Lagonda Rapier the fourth & Fifth are the same Alvis 12/50 again.

Some more photographs from the weekend. Here you see in the first pic a Vauxhall 30/98 with a MG "L" Type , a Riley 2.5 litre and the rear of our Lagonda Rapier. The second ia a close up of the MG "L" Type out on the road, Next a pair of Vauxhall 30/98s one 1923 the other 1927. and finally a Delage .

There were a total of 21 Pre WW2 cars on the Rally. This is a highly competitive event with sections timed to the minute and extremely challenging navigation over a variety of roads ranging from single track dirt roads climbing through mountain country to fast sections on good two lane country roads calling for high average speeds. Generally the weather was cool to very cold with some rain on Saturday. Cloudy and cool to cold on Sunday with gale force winds blowing straight off the South Pole. You will note that all the cars were driven for the whole event with their tops down.

Having fully recovered from the weekends motoring, yesterday was spent profitably wire brushing all the rust and cr*p off all the little brake operating levers etc.

I have mentioned some similarity to a Chinese laundry before and the situation has certainly not improved. Sorry about the quality of the photographs but the lighting is not ideal and the space rather cramped.

9-27-2011

Hi West

Despite what they say about assumptions, you are quite correct. The "L" is basically the touring version of the racing K3. Six Cylinder (SOHC) 1200cc. Not all "L's" are supercharged but over 75 years all sorts of things can happen. This one has been with the same owner for as long as I can remember and is driven flat out everywhere. The good thing about supercharged cars is that you can hear them coming and going.

9-29-2011

Hi All

Sorry but I can't help bragging a bit. The attached photograph was sent to us by Susan Burns co-organiser of the Two Day Rally. It shows Helen & I being checked into the Cape Otway control during the rally. (Note AACA badge on Helen's wind deflector.)

By the way we came Second Outright and Second PVT (1931-40) in case you were wondering.

The other photo shows the entire Rally contingent enjoying Pre-dinner drinks on the fore shore at Port Campbell.

9-30-2011

Back to the Packard,at last!

A question for all the show people: 

I am about to start re-assembling the rear axle housing, should I paint, polish, nickel or zinc plate the heads of the bolts retaining the centre piece and the rear cover? Likewise the clevis pins in the brake levers and brake rod ends? The new nuts that I am using for the "U" bolts and shackle pins are zinc plated do I paint them, polish them or just leave them the factory finish? Going back to the bolts I could buy Stainless bolts and polish the heads would these be acceptable? I have used polished stainless bolts to hold things like the side water plate on the engine, is this OK?

Come on all you judges, these are serious questions, someone must have an opinion.....