My next project? 1921 Packard Coupe

8 minute(s) of a 548 minute read

Hello John 

Yes, the Packard is to become something approaching a convertible victoria. The top material will be a fabric that I used to have made for me commercially about thirty years ago known here as "Salt & Pepper" It has black and white threads twisted together in the warp and a plain tan thread for the weft. The overall effect is one of salt and pepper. It is a laminated cloth with a layer of natural rubber in the middle and plain biscuit coloured gaberdine on the underside. I discussed this some time ago in the overall question of colours. the only change to this is the car will not be two toned brown and biege but Black fenders valances etc and dark brown body with biscuit coloured upholstery and trim. Biscuit coloured wheels.

12-20-2011

Just a very quick one. Dave has made a start on preparing the body for paint. It is amazing just how much shape is in the rear section of the body when you see it like this.

12-21-2011

Hi all

Just a thought, I have sent our "end of year" letter to several people. It mentions numerous places that many of you will be totally unfamiliar with. 

There is hours of fun to be had tracing some of our journeys on Google maps."Get Directions" First use our home address as your starting point. 11 Glendora Lane, East Doncaster, Victoria, Australia. Use the satellite version of the maps. lock in "Avoid Highways, Avoid Tolls. then add the various destinations. You can zoom in and really see the country-side.

12-23-2011

Living here in South Eastern Australia has many advantages, firstly we never see snow or sub zero temperatures here in Melbourne (The Worlds most liveable city) Being situated where we are in relation to the international date line we are way ahead of almost everybody else in the world. As I write this it is just past 11.00 am Saturday morning, Christmas Eve. About 18 hours ahead of folk living on the East coast of America. That way we get to see Santa long before anybody else and so have the pick of all the good things. 

While you were all rugged up and inside, last night we were sitting out in the garden (The temperature a balmy 25-6 degrees C.) entertaining a few friends having dined (al fresco) extremely well on a succulent leg of lamb cooked in a Kettle bbq. washed down with some excellent Australian wine, both red and white, and some very good local "Carlton Draught" beers. How they get a "Draught" beer into a bottle I do not know but it sure is good.

My wish for you, is that you all have an enjoyable Christmas, that life continues to be good and that the New Year brings you Happiness, Good Health and Prosperity.

Cheers

12-26-2011

Hello John

Further to my earlier reply the attached drawing should help you to visualise the final result.

1-4-2012

Hello all

Welcome to 2012. I trust that this year will prove to be even better than the last. 

We have just returned from a very pleasant break staying with my sister on the coast at Point Lonsdale. This is on the western opening to Port Phillip Bay. Some great weather provided that you like it hot. Over 30 degrees C most days.

We are having some friends from the UK staying with us over the weekend then I should be back to the Packard again early next week.

Don't go away.

1-6-2012

Hello

Spoke with 'Dave the Painter' yesterday and selected the main body colour, a very "vintage" dark brown. He tells me if he does not have too many interruptions that the body should be ready for me to start re-assembling again in two or three weeks. I hope to have some progress photographs soon.

1-8-2012

Our friends have departed on their long journey back to the UK and I can now re-commence work on the Single Six. This afternoons job to sort out some more of the electrical wiring.....

1-9-2012

The section of original factory "Service Parts List" that David McC very kindly sent to me gives the length of each cable but some how I just cannot bring myself to cut my new cotton covered cable to the lengths suggested. I think that I am going to leave that until I have the body back on the chassis frame. It means that I will have to find something else to do during the next two or three weeks. I am sure that there is something else that I can do.

Some people may be wondering why it will take something more than three weeks just to paint the Packard. Unlike modern cars that can be painted in a "couple of days", in some cases without even removing the glass from the windscreen and rear window let alone all the trim. 

The Packard is entirely dismantled. Body off the frame, doors and luggage trunk lid removed, ALL trim removed even the cowl vent is removed to be painted separately. The hood is dismantled into its four separate parts before being painted. The fenders, side valances, front apron and petrol tank are all removed and each painted separately. Once everything has been prepared from the bare metal and is in primer it is left for 5 to 7 days to dry fully before being hand rubber back only then the final coats of paint are applied. This in turn is left to fully dry for another 5 to 7 days before it is polished. Finally the body will need to be carefully lifted back onto the chassis frame, doors etc refitted and gaps adjusted only then can the hardware, latches etc can be refitted. The last thing to be fitted will be the windscreen frame. The interior trim still has to be completed and installed, the seats upholstered, the folding top and side screens made and fitted. The tires have to be stripped from the wheels before they too can be painted going through the same process. Hand pin-striping being the finishing touch (NOT stick on decals). This is, in Australian terms, a PROPER (full) restoration, not a quick fix up, some "bog" and a quick coat of jam! It all takes time. Somewhere between 3 and 5 years, the projected completion date late 2013/14. If you get bored easily it is probably best that you leave now.

1-10-2012

Hi Roger

It is actually a German 2 pack paint system. It is just that my painter is sufficiently old fashioned as to believe that if a job is worth doing it should be worth doing properly. It probably could be pushed out the door the same day but he would not be comfortable that he had done the best job possible, he will only work to the one standard. Anyone who saw his finish on the Dixie Flyer will understand. I am more than happy to go along with him as I know that his work is impeccable. He works by himself rather than employ people who may or may not work to his standard. He is able to choose who he does work for and who he does not. Over the past 50 years I have had quite a few cars painted but no one else has come anywhere near his finish. 

I am flattered that he is happy to do my work, he is someone who is prepared to work with me and to fully discuss every aspect of the job with me. All he does is paint vintage & classic cars and he is a position where he can paint for the people he wants to and refuse any job that he would sooner not do for whatever reason.

Just a quick reminder. The Dixie Flyer before and after. A paint finish to die for.

If the Packard comes out half as good I will be well pleased.