My next project? 1921 Packard Coupe

5 minute(s) of a 548 minute read

Snubbers...

One that got left off. What Snubbers are made of.

10-26-2011

In this funny world of old motor cars you keep learning new things every day. 

Today I learnt that to fit the drive shaft on a early series Packard you must first move the rear axle back an inch or two. First you remove the shackle bolts at the front of both rear springs and the anchor bolt at the front of the torque arm. One step forward, one step back!

I forgot to mention the clevis pins in the brake rods too.

Either way three hours later and the job is done. Sadly that is all for today.

I have a Rally route to plan.

10-28-2011

Sorry! but I do have another life. Today I had a story to complete for the Automobile Magazine in the UK. Those who buy/read it may get to see it in a month or two.

Hi All

Something very different. Our son Paul and his partner Nicole are keen bird watchers and bird song recorders. They make frequent trips into the out back. Right now they are in the Flinders Ranges in the north of South Australia and have sent back these photographs.

Hope you find them interesting.

10-30-2011

While it may seem no big deal, I have spent the last two days working on getting the right hand door opening and closing to my satisfaction and keeping the gaps at both sides and the bottom of the door uniform. I know that I will probably have to do some of this again (final adjustments) when the body is fitted onto the chassis frame again but hopefully only minor adjustments. By the time the car is nearing completion (with trim carpets etc) it is my aim that the doors will close, as all Packard doors should, with just a discrete click.

10-31-2011

No photographs again! Sorry but I am busy doing boring things like making the "staples" to anchor the ends of the front snubber straps (I had the original ones for the rear.) and angle brackets to stiffen up where the door pillars join into the main body stringers (the heavy pieces of timber that sit on the chassis) All time consuming and essential stuff but nothing to get excited about. I would like to get the body out to Aaron for him to finish a couple of little things before it goes to be painted. 

Then I can make a start on running some electrical wires around the chassis frame while I have unfettered access to it. Has anyone got a spare of the pressed metal cover that goes over the wiring loom where it links onto the red fibre junction board on the bulkhead I am not sure if this is unique to the early single six or a universal piece. I could probably make one but it looks like another time consuming & fiddly job. I will try to take some photos of this piece tomorrow. It is 6.34 P.M. now and the Boss lady will be getting impatient.

Hello again

Further to yesterdays post here are a couple of photographs of the electrical junction box cover that I am looking for. This one comes from inside the bulkhead behind the dash, there should be another similar on the engine side of the bulkhead. They are 8 3/4 inches long, 1 3/4 inches wide and 1 1/4 inches high. One end is rounded the other square with a horseshoe shaped cutout to cover the conduit carrying the wires to the junction board.

I could make one but it could never be the exact shape as the original is a pressing. If you are or have been an early Packard Single Six owner please have a look in your junk box. you never know what may be lurking there.