My next project? 1921 Packard Coupe

8 minute(s) of a 548 minute read

So what is it? I have asked several times on two or three Packard Forums and while I am sure that there are several that have been consigned to the mud in the back paddock or swept up with a whole lot of other junk I have had no replies. As is usual in these situations I have made one for myself incorporating one or two changes to suit my car. One clue is that it was fabricated from a 12 inch length of scrap exhaust pipe. I has taken about 45 minutes to make so at the going rate for "EXPERTS" working in the flash restoration shops it should have cost me $135.00

No Replies to yesterdays quiz, obviously too easy. The answer of course is the cover for the junction box on the bulkhead behind the dash. Why bother when it is virtually out of site? Simply because the factory in 1923 thought that it was sufficiently important to make one. For those unfamiliar with the early Single Six I have attached a second photograph showing the original factory counterpart on the engine side of the bulkhead

"Keep on keeping on"

11-6-2012

Another day and with half of Melbourne's population glued to their Television watching the "Horse race that stops the Nation" the Melbourne Cup, others were quietly going about their day to day chores. I can tell you that something called Green Moon won adding another couple of million dollars to some millionaires bank balance but that is where my interest stopped. Instead I have bound the edges of the rear luggage trunk carpet and made two little leather pockets that are attached to the inner side of the hatch at the front of either seat providing useful storage space. One pocket holds the "key" for the lid of the rear luggage trunk the other a specially modified 1/2" AF ring spanner essential for the quick and very basic seat adjustment. Another small box can be ticked as completed....

"Keep on keeping on"

Another step forward the Packard went off to Tony for the completion of the trim this morning so I will probably have a couple of weeks twidlling my thumbs. I am sure that something will crop up to help fill in the days.

In answer to Ian's question "When i can finally sit in it and drive it." Hopefully before the years end. I will let you know.

11-7-2012

Even with the car away at Tony's life continues...This morning I collected the support A bracket for the numberplate board from the platers and when I returned the postman had left the box containing the two exterior rear view mirrors I had ordered from Paul Beck in England. I am quite pleased with these they actually come NICKEL plated and while perhaps not exactly "period" I think that once they are mounted on the windscreen pillars they will look just about "right". As the end of the project draws closer the enjoyment changes! It is a bit like a grandmother supervising the dressing of a Teenage girl for her first big outing. Each piece of jewellery must be carefully selected to enhance the beauty while the wrong piece of "bling" can produce nothing short of a "tart". With the Packard one has to be aware of the original concept; Discretion and understatement is all important . 

I am still looking for the "right" temporary tail lamps for the number plate board.

"Keep on keeping on"

11-10-2012

Thank you both.

Perhaps you may like to make some comment on my latest conundrum. I have made provision for an interior light basically to illuminate the rear parcel shelf. I have an original Packard switch which is mounted in the trim paned adjacent to the right hand door pillar. with the wires going to the light protruding through the trim panel through the same trim panel in the right hand rear corner behind the passenger seat. Not all that important except that I have a nice 1920s light which will require 3 1/2 inch hole to mount it. Problem is that it is less than perfect, the glass being somewhat cracked and crazed. Do I use this or wait and look for a reproduction or n.o.s fitting?

11-15-2012

Today those tiny steps are becoming "leaps & bounds" Tony has made a start on the door trims! My task for today was to approve the prototype flap for the door pockets. While I appreciate that Mr Packard only seems to have rather plain flaps on his door pockets in 1923 I rather like this treatment that Tony has come up with. Ignore the triangular lines they are not part of the finished flap. Just the rather understated letter "P". This is taken from an original script although possibly from the 1930s. Personally I think that it will be discreet enough not to offend even the purest Packard purist...

11-18-2012

With the aid of David McC's page out of the Parts list I can identify my interior light switch as Part Number 127388. The switch itself is marked Diamond H Switch, patent applied April 8 1913. This will go nicely with David's rectangular Dome light, Part number 132606. While I am not a total originality freak it is nice to know that I am using genuine Packard equipment as originally fitted to the 126 Single Six. As the old song goes "Little things mean a lot".

10-19-2012

Hello David

Your light arrived safely in this afternoons mail thank you very much.I am absolutely delighted with it! With some careful surgery and a little solder I should be able to marry your rim and glass to my base. I am going to visit my son Steve tomorrow and will take all the necessary bits with me. Steve is also going to do a small turning job on the moto-meter for me, reducing the diameter of the head of raised head countersunk screws that secure the wreath / beveled edge glass. A small but important (to me) detail.

11-19-2012

Hello

I have worked out how to connect David's top to my existing (round) base so hopefully the next time you will see this light will be with it installed in the Packard. I spent some time yesterday afternoon with Tony working out the shape and profile for the top (hood to Aussies) so things are moving rapidly.

"Keep on keeping on"