My next project? 1921 Packard Coupe

6 minute(s) of a 548 minute read

It does not look much but it represents a day's work. What is it? The interior of the luggage trunk now fully lined with heavy duty felt with the same chocolate brown carpet as inside the car.

9-30-2012

Hi All

Those who have been also following my various posts on the other Packard specific Forum sites will know that I have been trying to establish the actual build (completion) date for my car. It had been suggested that the date on the bottom of the oil pan may have some relevance. This it turns out is the casting date for the pan. 3-5-23. This sent me in search of other casting dates. I now know that the crankcase was cast on 3-9-23 while the cylinder block is 3-26-23. All this tells me that the major components of the engine were all cast in March of 1923. The question is what was the typical delay between casting - machining - assembly - fitting into the chassis - construction of the body etc etc leading to the completion of the car. My guess is anything between to six to nine months. Suggesting that my car actually did not leave the factory until the later part of 1923. Has anyone got more accurate information?

What all this is leading to is the supposition that given the completion date of my car was sometime in the later half of 1923 it would be quite conceivable that it was delivered fitted with the same 23 inch, 5 lug, disc wheels that were fitted to the first of the eight cylinder cars which were first released in the second half of 1923 although dated officially as 1924 Models.

Thank you Roger

Unfortunately that only tells me that the Disc wheels were an option that the standard wood spoke wheels were 24 inch. It also tells us that the first of the eights had 25 inch disc wheels. This shoots my theory about the 23 inch wheels down in flames. So where do my five lug 23 inch disc wheels fit in?

Does anyone out there have a Packard with the same five lug 23 inch wheels. When did the Single Six change to six lug wheels? Checking out the period photographs on Packard Info it seems that the change to six lugs took place during the second half of 1925. Roger, perhaps your book will tell us what size wheels the 1924 Single six used?

10-1-2012

I have just discovered the answer, 1924 (Introduced on 12-27-23) Single Sixes used the same 24 inch wood spoke wheels. Tyre size increased from 33 X 4.5 to 33 x 5. Disc's were still an "option". Front brakes were standard. 

Rather than sitting wondering, I have just been out and bought two lengths (2 x 4 metres) of 13mm X 3mm steel strip so I can make a start on the frames for the side screens.

Thank you again Roger

Your input and interest is much appreciated. Regarding my cars 23 inch wheels I find it almost impossible to believe that it is a one off although it took some searching to find a single spare wheel. At the time I was also offered a pair of wheels but that involved buying a complete rear axle assembly and the cost of freighting it to Australia was prohibitive. It is interesting that my car is fitted with 600 X 23 inch tyres, the equivalent to 33 X5.

10-2-2012

As promised today has been spent cutting up that steel strip and making a start on the side screen frames. Now I have to buy some more acetylene so I can finish welding them up. 

If it ain't one thing it is another!

Hi West

I was allowing some time for "seasoning" of the castings prior to machining and then complete assembly of the chassis prior to the body being commenced probably thinking more in terms of bespoke coach-built bodies. That is what comes from being more used to limited production cars like the Lagonda Rapier. They took eight years to build something less than 400 cars. All the cylinder blocks were cast in the one batch in late 1933 but the first car was not registered in July 1934. My car was sold by F N Morgan, a sales agent in Wales and first registered in Cardiff on June 8th 1935.

In contrast to the Packard for which I have absolutely no history, for the Lagonda I know the name and address of every owner since 1938, missing only the original purchaser. I have its UK paper work since before WW2. The Rapier Register lists every owner world wide and the fate of 90% of the cars produced, this listing is updated every 12 months.The present count is 381 cars. The Register is the work of just two volunteers.

10-4-2012

Another box gets a partial tick. the side-screen frames are now ready for when Tony returns from Holiday.

Pegs and sockets are on order.

10-5-2012

Hi Ian

I tend to rely on Classic Fasteners in South Aust. you can look at their catalogue Classic Fasteners

If they cannot help try Restoration Supply Co in the US but postage becomes significant. Restoration Supply Company

10-9-2012

Hello

Rather than going through all the trauma of trying to find a matching rear lamp I have decided to mount the rear number plate board and stop-tail-turn lights from the centre of the spare wheel. I can buy matching reproduction units locally and will sell the "original" (restored) stop-tail lamp with its

original (LH) forged mounting bracket.