My next project? 1921 Packard Coupe

3 minute(s) of a 548 minute read

I have received a engine enamel color chip from David Mc Credie Secretary of the PAC here in Australia. It appears to be a much darker green than that shown in the photograph of your engine. 

On a different subject, while visiting our son Steve at Yarra Junction, an hours drive out of Melbourne. At his suggestion I visited the local hardware shop. I came away with a $5 box of 200 SLOT HEAD 1 inch wood screws. Now when I come to replace the panels on the Packard they can be screwed back on with the "right" screws. I also got 100 Nickel plated "raised head" to screw in the interior trim. 

I really hate Phillips head screws in 1920s cars and avoid them when ever I can so this was a real find.

10-27-2010

The Petrol tank has just come back from being bead blasted. Three pin holes, (potential leaks) have shown up. These will have to be soldered before it has a coat of paint. It is currently in etch primer so that the bare metal will not start rusting. Note pin hole exposed next to gauge. Apart from these three minor repairs the tank is remarkably sound and will only require a wash out to remove traces of stale petrol.

10-28-2010

Thanks for the compliment Brad

There will be more photographs as the rebuild progresses. You will have to be a little patient with this one. 1. I am not getting any younger (74 come early November) and 2. As a retired person money has to be spread a little more thinly. Remember the GFC!

3. I would think somewhere between two to three years time.

Finally, Yes, I believe that there is a wheel "in the mail" to quote a well used phrase.

Hi Brad

The product I am using is a local Australian timber hardener. It does not seem to be a epoxy but is very coy about what it actually contains. Painted onto aged wood it is said to bind the fibers together making it more workable and creating stronger joints. As it is said to take at least 24 hours to fully cure I really cannot comment as yet.

You will just have to be patient as we are off tomorrow morning (Friday here) for the start of the VSCC Alpine Rally. A three day event covering approximately 500 miles of mountain roads. Try putting Falls Creek, Victoria, Australia into Google maps to see where we will be spending two of the the next three nights. The local forecast is for heavy rain and near zero C over night for Saturday & Sunday.

This is a highly competitive navigation event, our car our trusty 1934 Lagonda Rapier two seater. Photograph below.

1934 Lagonda Rapier, 1500cc 2 ohc, 2 x 1 1/2 in SU carbs 9.5:1 comp 4 speed ENV close ratio preselector trans. Bought as a broken down 1 1/2 seat racing car in 1978, rebuilt and driven countless miles since. We return Monday evening so no more posts until then.