My next project? 1921 Packard Coupe

13 minute(s) of a 548 minute read

My day out in the Yarra Valley visiting my son Steve was a day well spent. We managed to sort out the interior light so that it is ready for me to install tomorrow, The Moto-meter is ready to fit onto the radiator cap and the horn switch now has it's handsome black (pot lid knob) button and ready to advance one step closer to being fitted. An unexpected bonus was the brass body ID plate that belongs under the carpet on the passenger side that Steve has managed to engrave on his little cnc jewellery mill. Another of those little things that all add up.

Keep on keeping on"

Hello Paul

Welcome to my thread. So that you are not wasting the day I have some new photographs with my friend and master "Trimmer" Tony McConnell at work on the top. You could be forgiven for saying "Top job". You can see more of Tony's work on www.classicandsports.com.au.

Keep on keeping on"

I really cannot claim all the credit for the Horn button. Charles H Brown, an Architect and Twin Six owner living in Hong Kong, very kindly sent me a pack containing two different sized "Pot Lid" knobs. He had found with some minor machining these made an ideal replacement for the early 1920s Packard horn buttons. Another amazing example of the kindness and friendly bond between enthusiasts and in particular AACA members all around the world! If you are wondering Charles, I have used the smaller of the two and have carefully stored away the other in case of emergencies.

"Keep on keeping on"

11-22-2012

Hello again Les

I am afraid that my wheels are something that are destined to remain a mystery. After two and a half years of looking behind bushes and turning over stones, I have been unable to identify either the person who sold the car and shipped it out of America or the one who bought it and imported it into Australia, only to walk away and leave it on the docks as unclaimed cargo all those years ago (In the 1950s). 

Some how I believe that only one or the other of those two would be able to provide the answer. Possibly not even them.

The 1917 to 21 that your book refers to would be Twin Sixes. Looking at archive photographs of the then new 21/2 Single sixes with the optional Disc wheels were fixed discs with detachable rims, the 1923 and later Sixes had the five bolt disc wheels with lock rims the same as the first series Eights. These are the wheels fitted to my car and while not documented anywhere I suspect that all 1923 Single Sixes fitted with disc wheels had 23 inch. This is a very narrow 'window' as 1923 cars were two (rear wheel only) brakes while 1924 and all subsequent Packard cars had front brakes as did all the "eights". The brakeless five lug front hubs would have been used for just one year, even then only on the "Sport" (low radiator) and when specified by the original buyer as an optional fitting.

"Keep on keeping on"

Continuing on from the above. 

One can only ask how many of the 1923 (Packard) cars were sold with the Doctor's Coupe (222) body AND the optional disc wheels? 

Unfortunately a question that I doubt will ever be answered. But surely making my car extremely rare even before the roof was cut off in the 1950s. I have only ever seen the photograph of one other. Today it is the only 1923 126 Single Six convertible (coupe) victoria to exist. How the Packard purists look at it I don't know. 

Do they hate me for not restoring the car back to an original Doctors coupe? 

Or do I gain even a little acceptance for at least making an attempt to save the car from its original 1950s destiny, to be broken up for spares?

To my mind the original seating arrangement made the car impractical (today) for anything other than show or museum purposes.

What would have you done?

"Keep on keeping on"

Thank you Pat

Among all those who look in on this thread you probably have the best idea of what it is like to rescue a car that has long since been given up for dead by others.

I can understand those who become impatient with my slow step by step approach but todays post is another small step. The first trial fit of the top (hood) fabric. I for one am delighted with the progress that Tony is making.

11-23-2012

Hi Les

I am by far my own sternest critic. Today being Saturday lunchtime in Eastern Australia not so much has been achieved but progress is steady one job at a time. the next task is the side screens but no photographs yet.

11-25-2012

A typical Sunday drive?

About 230 miles at an overall average speed of 35 mph over some of the best and the worst roads I have driven on in recent memory. Add some really tricky navigation and you have our day out in the 78 year old Lagonda. We left home at about 8.30 am and returned just after 7.00 pm. All in all a great days motoring together with a small but select group of fellow Vintage enthusiasts.

Tony is busy working on the side screens today, so by the end of this week he should be nearing the end. Hopefully some more photographs to-morrow........

"Keep on keeping on"

11-26-2012

Hi Terry

Welcome to my thread.It would be interesting to see your friends car. 

My problem is that my car is totally original down to the timber body frame, as are virtually all the panels and it has matching numbers for all the mechanical components, it is just that some unknown person hacked the roof off and ripped out all the interior including the seats some time in the 1950s. My prime concern is that for judging purposes it may either be considered in-eliglble or be excessively penalised as un-original and be de-valued accordingly. My aim in restoring the car was to achieve a standard as near as possible to how it would look as a special order car leaving the factory in 1923. Certainly as a "convertible victoria" it is unique but as Roger suggests, it is something that could have been done in the 1920s or 30s.

11-27-2012

The work continues. You could say that it never ends, I have just returned from taking the two door pull handles and another smaller handle plus the four breeching staples for the door check straps to have the chrome stripped off and a layer of nickel plating applied. I believe that one of Santa's assistants will deliver them back. Unfortunately he is the one who likes to be paid. One could be excused for thinking that the end is nigh. The one remaining large task is to replace the crumpled original exhaust pipes. Once this is done, finally I will not have any excuse for not attempting to start the engine and to drive it.

"Keep on keeping on"

11-28-2012

Thank you West

Of course I should know that the AACA is about much more than just car shows. 

Part of yesterdays activities on the Packard was refitting the "rug-rail".

Naturally a tourist owner would require a suitable "travel rug" so I have commenced work on an addition to the cars equipment. For such an exciting looking car something exotic was called for, a luxury fur for instance. My first thoughts were for an Ocelot but was disappointed with the examples available when I saw this one. Animal rights activists need not be alarmed I an talking about Faux (fake) furs. For those unfamiliar with the larger members of the feline family this one is a Jaguar. Please, we all know the stories about "fake Jaguars".

"Keep on keeping on"

Now on our hottest November day for years work continues. All that is required now is the cover for the folded top, some press studs for the side screens and the door check straps. Note rug rail and interior light. The Spare wheel cover will be adorned with just one word "Packard". On the subject of the spare wheel cover, Not covering up some dreadful accident but a preventative "stitch in time" leather patch, adjacent to the filler cap, to protect the fabric from grotty hand pieces on service station petrol hoses..

11-29-2012

Thank you Roger

As a Swiss gentleman, & knowing your tastes I think you appreciate the little things. At last the lap-rug; Faux Jaguar fur with a colour matching hand stitched Jap-silk taffeta lining. Sewing with it over my knees on a 38 degree C. day. For something to hang on the rail behind the seats, total madness...

"Keep on keeping on"

Hello Pat

I have to confess I made the top (hood) bows and sided screen frames. The nickel side screen fittings come from 'Paul Beck' in the UK. I also made the wooden patterns for the windscreen pillars and fabricated the windscreen frame using domed section brass channel.

Tom, welcome to my thread, I don't think I have seen you name before. Thank you for your compliments.

"Keep on keeping on"

Hello again Pat.

If you go back to page 41 you will see that I also fabricated the seat frames and then somewhere between then and now I discuss making the wooden patterns for the windscreen pillars and then fabricating the windscreen frame using domed section brass channel. I also fabricated the replacement latches for the headlamp rims. I really enjoy every aspect of restoring cars that time has forgotten, that were neither loved or wanted. While I have no professional training or qualifications. All my "Degrees" come from the University of Hard Knocks. I get great satisfaction out of meeting all the little challenges. This is something I have done for as long as I can remember dating back to my first 1925 "Baby" Austin Seven when I was about 17 or 18, almost 60 years ago. Sadly, for many of you, I have absolutely no interest in cars of the 60s and 70s. My period is 1920 to '36. Cars from the 80s and 90s are the one that think of as daily drivers. In my opinion many of the 1950s cars are the left overs of the worst of the late 1930s. Of course there are exceptions to every rule.

11-30-2012

Hi Scott

I appreciate your comments. My BIG problem is that I am an obsessive compulsive restorer of lost causes and basket cases. Something that has haunted me all my life so I cannot see my giving up any time soon. You are welcome to come along for the ride even if it does get a little bumpy at times.

"Keep on keeping on"

12-2-2012

Hi All

Tony officially finishes the trim today but the Packard will not be picked up until Wednesday morning. I still have lots of little jobs to do but this is a major step forward.

"Keep on keeping on"