My next project? 1921 Packard Coupe.

[Scotts_DG8]

I see that I’m late to the party here. I used Google Maps not the Google Earth to have a look at what I believed to be your home, which you’ve already confirmed. Note that I said home as that is where life experiences occur as opposed to a house as its but an impersonal object sans occupants. It looks to be a nice neighborhood. I will say that as I’d spent quite a bit of time in the U.K. there no question that the neighborhood does for the most part look like one that I would have seen there.

I also agree, it’s quite amazing the amount of information that you can find on the internet which shows that there are few secrets in today’s new world, most anybody has the ability to pull/access this information which can be a great asset but sometimes maybe not so great. In this new world though just be aware of it, accept it (the cat’s out of the box and the clock doesn’t run backwards) and go forward from there. Scott…

[MCHinson]

Bernie,

You are correct. It is amazing what you can do online now. I am planning for our upcoming Divisional Tour. I have driven the routes and created turn by turn directions. When I want to double check a few things, I can use google maps or google earth to easily double check my directions. If I wanted to spend all my time looking at a computer screen instead of driving, I could almost completely create the route directions without leaving the house using what is available online.

[oldcar]

Not much work to-day Helen had me out in the garden all morning doing some pruning of tree branches where they were growing over the top of under-story plants. This afternoon I had my annual appointment with my Urology Specialist.

He has made another appointment to see me in 12 months time so apparently I can look forward to at least one more good year.

Attached is a photo just sent to me by C (Ben) Benson of a dash light and cigar lighter that he has found for me.

He tells me "The cigar lighter has a screw affair that turns on the current to the heat element,when the holder is pulled out about 4",,,the heat element is the same base as a dash bulb,,,,so it can be used as a maplight,,if you don't smoke!!!

That sounds almost enough to put most people off ever lighting up!

Bernie J.

[oldcar]

Just a thought for all those people who look up things on the internet. Our oldest son Paul and his partner Nicole are dedicated Bird watchers and as such travel into the most remote corners of Australia. Paul also does "Bird-song recordings. their website "Urban Birder" has some great photographs and sound recordings. Oh yes, you have to enter au after Urban Birder.

Enjoy

Bernie J

Edited November 18, 2010 by oldcar (see edit history)

[oldcar]

I trust that those who bothered to look at Paul & Nicole's Urban Birder.Au website now have some insight into the Australian "Outback" and the unique sounds of some of our native birds. Anyone recognise the Kookaburra "laughing"?

Having taken some quality time pottering about the garden over the weekend it is time to start back on the Packard. Todays task has been to refit the rear "trunk" lid frame. This has been totally taken apart re-glued and re-screwed, once again dipping into my stock of "slot head" wood screws. As previously I have been at pains to use as much as possible of the original timber frame. The rear rail required repairing where previously there had been a "Yale" type lock.

To fit this lock entailed boring a large hole through the rail right in the centre of the joint. The wood here has been replaced (Photograph 1.) and in lieu of the "Yale" lock a simple spring catch cable operated from the rear seat will be fitted. Photograph 2,shows the underside of the lid where the original Packard 222 Body style number and part number can be seen. Note also the unique "goose neck" hinges and the rain-water drain. Also clearly seen in this photograph are the strengthening "corner blocks" that have been incorporated into all the stress points in the original frame.

Bernie J.

Edited November 22, 2010 by oldcar (see edit history)

[oldcar]

Wow! It is all happening today, a charming young lady from the Post Office has just delivered the first of two packages on their way to me from C,"Ben" Benson this one contains the speedometer, clock and small (oil & amp) gauges, all fairly much as I had expected. Just one problem is that the clock is just too big to fit the space in the speedo housing. Ben thought that I may be able to turn down the case to fit but the dial, hands etc is way too large. Besides this the clock is far too good to destroy. It is a 3 inch black face Waltham 8 day It is running nicely and appears to keep good time. (only time will tell). The clock that I really need is quite a bit smaller. The recess in the speedo housing is 2 3/4 inches in diameter while the hole for the actual face is just 1 3/4 inches across. Both the speedo and the small gauges housings have their bevel edge glasses intact. I will need to be really careful taking them apart to re-nickel the rims.

Bernie J.

[oldcar]

Further to the above, if there is someone who has the smaller version of the Waltham 8 day clock and would like to exchange it for the 3 inch one seen here please send me a pm. It really is a very nice clock in working condition complete with unmarked bevel edge glass.

Bernie j.

[oldcar]

Now 18 hours later the clock has lost about a minute or two. It is sitting on a shelf next to my desk as I write this. It really is a very nice clock and is running smoothly. You simply cannot hear it ticking. The only way to tell it is going is to watch the second hand! Perhaps I will just add it to my collection.......

Bernie J.

[oldcar]

I really can't help myself. I have just unscrewed the back from the clock and to me it looks perfect. It should not be too difficult to adjust.

Bernie J.

[oldcar]

Our postman sure is being kept busy. He arrived again this morning with a large cardboard package labled in 4 inch high letters "HEAVY PARCEL". I knew at once, even before I had signed for it that this parcel contained. What must be one of the rarest motor car wheels in existence. A 1923 Packard FIVE lug 23 inch disc wheel! At last I have a spare wheel. Yet again my good friend C "Ben" Benson had come to the rescue. Thank you "Ben"!

For those with enquiring minds the USPS documentation states that the weight of the parcel was 38 lbs 1 ounce. And I should point out this is WITHOUT a tire.

Bernie J.

Edited November 23, 2010 by oldcar (see edit history)

[oldcar]

Slowly but surely my wish list is being reduced with a Kentuckian friend sending me a quadrant for the centre of the steering wheel, what is still proving difficult to find are the two hand control (Spark and Gas) levers. At this stage even broken ones that could be used as patterns would be fine. These are for the early 126 series 1 cars and are different to the later six and eight cylinder models. Please have a look among all your scrap aluminium bits and pieces, you never know what you may find.

Bernie J.

Edited November 26, 2010 by oldcar (see edit history)

[Guest cben09]

Hi Bernie,,,The clock is badly out of adjustment I think,,,NOW from the very distant past of an old man,,,,,I would expect more like 15sec,,in 15 days or a month,,depending on which movement and who adjusted it, ,,and adjustment in 6 positions,,!!! Listen to it in 6 positions,,,they are not all the same,,I had Justin listen to 4 movements,,3 Walthams and an old Chelsea,,He had a funney look on his face when he realized they were all like people,,,,all different voices,,,,,NOW get that Packard Jaeger movement and listen to it,,,more like a pressed tin alarm clock,,,,The Jaeger in the type 35 Bugatti,, with the VERTICAL shaft for the escapement,,,nice,,,,,but made of unobtainium,,,

Many of the waltham movements w/no seconds hand may not have been a car clock ,,,but rather a traveling clock,,or ,,intended for the tonneau,,,as one would not need to compare the odometer to seconds hand for timing,,Waltham was chosen by Henry Ford as suplier of speedometers in the 1930s,,,He had toured the plant to get ideas on VOLUME production,,very early on,,prior to 1913 I suspect,,Rolls Royce also used Waltham movements in the Silver Ghost and P-I,,Usually turn quarter turn anti-clock,,pops out,,wind stem/key folds out and wind back-an-forth,,This movement was said to fetch 500 in the 1970s,,,,,,,that is IF you were lucky,,,and yes it was fulley jeweled,,,Other movements had 7 jewels,,,or none,,,but they all kept good time,,,provided they were kept out of the rain,,,Some of the movements i've seen in the fleamarkets make a strong man cry,,,some dont notice,,oh well,,,Waltham was making i think nearly a million watches a year with belt driven machinery,,before electric lighting,,,DAYLIGHT,,,lamps were not enough,,, Civil war era,,,wow,,,England never produced precision goods like this at this quantity leavel of production,,,remember Ford made 15 million cars from 1913-1926,,Just for fun Google Chelsea Clock,,They survived,,thank goodness,,,The Waltham buildings re still there,on Crescent st,,,,,but no L.S.Starrett tools at Mendlessons Hardware store on Moodey st,,The kids think its a bustling town,,,,,to me ,,It looks like a ghost town,,Enough of that,,,I'll try to find a correct movement,,,but that one needs shorter hands and smaller face,,,not sure if you have a face artist there,,,,the seconds hand is in the o-k spot,,the wind stem would need to be shortend,,movement is same size,,,,not sure of jewels,,,for now I make the asumtion that that is secondary to a running clock,,Oh yes Pierce and Locomobile also used these movements and the fancy case has a 1912 patent date I think,,,If anyone wishes all sorts of arcives on this let me know,,George can give a 10 hr lecture and not be finnished,,,haha,,,Cheers,,Ben,,,,p/s vol II to follow soon

[oldcar]

A question for all the early 1920s Packard people. What was the finish applied to the cast aluminium "toe-boards' in the drivers compartment of the early 1920s cars?

[West Peterson]

No finish as far as I'm aware.

[oldcar]

Thanks West

You seem to be in agreement with David McCredie PAC Australia membership secretary and early 1920s guru. Obviously the black grunge coating the toe-board in my car was just that, Black Grunge and I can remove it without destroying the "fabric" of the car. I really try to preserve the cars originality as far as is both practical and sympathetic without going to extremes. Given the cars condition when purchased attempting to rebuild it to as it was when it first left the factory is just not practical.

Bernie J.

[Scotts_DG8]

Several of my Dodgey friends would love to see some current photographs of your DG8 coupe. Bernie J

Bernie,

Just a quick note that I finally pulled together and loaded pictures of my '31 Dodge DG 8 Coupe in the members gallery. Scott...

[DavidMc]

Bernie,

Guru eh, I like that I have never been called a gura before!! I guess thats what comes from owning the same car for 34 years including a 10 year restoration.

David McCredie

[oldcar]

Thank you David

The clock arrived safely this afternoon. This completes the full set of instruments all I am waiting for now is to get a price from Ben for the Dash light and Cigar lighter.

As Aaron will not be able to start work on the main body panels until the New Year I am busy cutting out the base boards for the interior trim. In fact I am finding this much easier without the panels attached to the timber frame.

Bernie J.

[oldcar]

As mentioned earlier I have been working on the trim panels and have now completed these for both doors, rear compartment and foot wells. Those in the doors and rear are to have storage pockets. Attached are photographs of the door along with one from the archives showing an original storage pocket.

The other thing that I am really delighted about is that the post-lady has just delivered a parcel containing the quadrant for the centre of the steering wheel very kindly sent to me by Donald Ellis. Thank you very much Donald. This has one lug broken but I am sure that a little old Italian specialist aluminium welder, who lives about ten minutes away, will be able to repair it. However I still need to find the two levers and the horn button. Please do have a look through you boxes of bits.

Edited December 7, 2010 by oldcar (see edit history)

[oldcar]

If you are looking at this Ben I would really like to purchase the Dash light and cigar lighter. Please send me an e-mail.

Bernie J

[oldcar]

Not a great deal being done this week, I have been busy doing other things. (Christmas is coming.) Just one little thing I will need is a photograph or better still a drawing showing the dimensions of the Left (Driver's Side) splash tray and how it fits around/under the steering box.

Bernie J.

[ksparks]

Funny how these things "just turn up". A friend who dropped in to inspect the new project brought an arm full of old magazines that he thought I may like to see. This cartoon turned up at on the back page of the Winter edition of Old Car Illustrated (No Connection) Vol 2 No4 of 1976.

Enjoy!

Bernie J.

thanks, i enjoyed reading the threads and best of luck with the packard and whoever may have ended up with the pierce. i have different projects with the priority being a 1922 auburn beauty six, i only wish it was so complete.

Keith

keith123451@live.com

1922 auburn

1923 moon

1926 auburn

1928-31 auburn parts, frames etc

[oldcar]

Hi Keith

Thank you for 'popping in' The only way I have found to make incomplete projects "complete" is to work extremely hard at it

Start an 1922 Auburn thread. Tell people what you have and what you need.

If you don't tell anyone, no-one will ever know!

Because I have been around for a long time (too long some people may say) I am known not only in Australia but the UK, USA and many parts of Europe. Not because I am a shrinking violet but because I am prepared to make my actions fit my words.

I have found that to achieve anything in this world you have to work for it.

Here endeth the lesson

oldcar.

Edited December 12, 2010 by oldcar (see edit history)

[ksparks]

Hi Keith

Thank you for 'popping in' The only way I have found to make incomplete projects "complete" is to work extremely hard at it

Start an 1922 Auburn thread. Tell people what you have and what you need.

If you don't tell anyone, no-one will ever know!

Because I have been around for a long time (too long some people may say) I am known not only in Australia but the UK, USA and many parts of Europe. Not because I am a shrinking violet but because I am prepared to make my actions fit my words.

I have found that to achieve anything in this world you have to work for it.

Here endeth the lesson

thanks and i agree. i have put in a few requests on aaca over time under my id kmstrade but not too much out there. i have tracked down a few owners of beauty sixes and found one gentlemen with an additional frame and parts. thus little by little. i have an emotional attachment since it was my first antique car as a teenager in 1970 thus was able to find the same car, same ss etc again in 2004. working out side of the united states but all this and other projects in storage until i spend more time there. i was able to find a nice second auburn beauty six radiator on ebay a few years ago.

keith

keith123451@live.com

[oldcar]

As a typical example of exactly what I have been saying to Keith I have just secured the hand control levers that I have been searching for. These are coming from a fellow Single Six restorer in Canada introduced to me by David who lives in Sydney Australia. The Vintage Car enthusiasts world just keeps getting smaller and smaller thanks to modern technology. It is there, all you have to do is use it. Like lots of other things in life "If you don't use it you lose it!"

Bernie j.

Edited December 15, 2010 by oldcar (see edit history)

[West Peterson]

Like lots of other things in life "If you don't use it you lose it!"

Bernie j.

:eek:

[oldcar]

Hi West

Please do not be alarmed. I was referring to the degree of enthusiasm necessary to carry out and complete successful restorations. Nothing more sinister!

The less you do, the less you are motivated to do, ultimately you slide into a state of total inertia.

Some folk sit and think.... some folk just sit!

Bernie J

[oldcar]

Hi y'all

I have just posted (in the snail mail) just over 100 Christmas cards and messages. Hopefully I can get back to the Packard over the next few days but remember this is the silly season.

Bernie J.

Edited December 17, 2010 by oldcar (see edit history)

[oldcar]

While all you people there in the United States and in the Northern Hemisphere are looking to enjoy a White Christmas, we in Australia are well into Summer and are enjoying fine days with temperatures around 25- to 30 degrees C. This year after eight years of drought, we have actually had Spring rain. Unfortunately in this land of contrasts we have had too much with floods in lots of places around the country. Where we live in Suburban Melbourne our gardens are loving this weather and everything is green and we have new growth every where.

No matter where you are, enjoy your Christmas and I hope that you are looking forward to a happy and healthy New Year.

Bernie J

[oldcar]

OOPS! I spoke to soon. Suddenly we are having most unseasonable weather with the temperature down into single figures .C overnight and over 40 mm of rain in the last 24 hours. That is almost 2 inches. Not much happening on the Packard either.

More later

Bernie J.

[oldcar]

What a remarkable world we old car fanatics live in!

Completely out of the blue I have just received a wonderful Christmas present from a total stranger. Perhaps when I say a total stranger I should add that this person is also an AACA Member and a Packard owner, a 1916 2nd Series Twin Six. After seeing my "Wanted" advertisement in the last issue of the Antique Automobile he has sent me a replacement horn button. At this point I should say that the person, Charles H Brown is an Architect living in HONG KONG. He had discovered that a readily available replacement POT LID KNOB could with some very small and simple modification be turned into a almost perfect horn button. Charles has very kindly sent me two.

How can I thank you Charles?

Bernie J.

[oldcar]

Here in Australia as a result of living on the right side of the International Date line it is Christmas Eve already. Santa has been busy and as many of you know he has been searching the world for Packard pieces for me. Just in time he has found a pair of those extremely elusive hand control levers. Ross M. from Ontario in Canada has decided to let me have a pair that he has spare to his requirements.

Happy Christmas!

Bernie J

[oldcar]

Christmas is all about sharing so I would like to share a couple of cards that I received from British motoring friends. The first one is produced by the Vintage Sports Car Club. It shows typical club cars attending a "Pre-Christmas Autojumble (Swap meet to you and me) This one includes a little test to help fill in your post Christmas lunch afternoon. How many different makes and model cars can you identify?

The other is produced by "BEN" a British Motor Industry benevolent fund that provides help and care in times of need for retired employees of the Motor Industry and their dependants. The scene portrayed is describes thus: It's the morning of Christmas Eve 1937, the driver of the Triumph Gloria flow free saloon is pulling into the Park Garage. On the fore-court stands a 1935 BSA 500 motorcycle whilst a 1937 AEC Regent 1-STL double decker bus drives past.

Happy Christmas

Bernie J

Edited December 24, 2010 by oldcar (see edit history)

[Ben Bruce aka First Born]

Neat, Bernie. Thanks.

Merry Christmas to tou and yours.

Ben

[West Peterson]

That is a glorious Gloria. I've never seen or even heard of those. Thanks for the illustration. Beautiful.

[oldcar]

Each year Ben produce a range of these motoring oriented cards, all featuring paintings of typical 1930s motoring scenes. These can be seen on www.ben.org.uk Then click on Christmas cards.

Bernie j.

Edited December 25, 2010 by oldcar (see edit history)

[oldcar]

Now this is what I really wanted for Christmas.......

[oldcar]

Oh well! I will just have to wait until next year.

Meanwhile I have been filling in time doing all sorts of small jobs. Having completely dismantled and cleaned up the steering box, one thing that struck me was that all the links and connecting rods associated with the spark advance/retard and hand throttle appear to have been nickel plated under about 80 years of crud. Is this normal for a 126 Single Six Series 1? The nickel plating not the 80 years of crud!

Bernie J.

[oldcar]

Hi y'all

I have just had an e-mail from a friend in the UK who is also restoring a Single Six.(a saloon) He has a problem removing the Mazac crank from the window winder bezel, does anyone have a solution to this problem. He needs to remove it intact so he can cast up some replacements. either that or has anyone have some spares.

Bernie J

[Guest Bernard Livingston]

Hi Bernie,

I have just come across your Packard files, after having just read about your Dixie Flyer, What a coincidence. Fantastic restoration.

I have a bit of Packard info, having owned a 1924 2nd series 6, 7 passenger tourer (but had to sell it to Rex Forrester of Howlong)

I have also helped a little with Danny Richards 1923 1st series 6, 7 passenger tourer (Irymple, Victoria).

I was in the Packard Club of Australia, while I had the car, and got to know several others with early cars, including Dave McCredie in Sydney who had a very desirable 1st series Sports Tourer.

With my car went quite a few spares, including speedo (I am sure) and quadrant and levers(but you now have those).

Danny Richards might have some bits to spare also, so worth a call.

The toeboard was finished in aluminium. I wire brushed mine, painted it with an aluminium paint, then wiped it off. The aluminium paint stayed in the pock marks, and the base residue put an anti oxidant coating on the rest.

The brown lino, as used on the floor in the front, used to be available in printmaking suppliers, because it was ideal for printmaking blocks. It has not been used on bank counters for many years.

I have a parts book for the 6's which gives very good reference details for missing parts.

The model number will give you an accurate name for the body style.

Robert Turnquists book, The Packard Story, lists 4 body styles for the 1st series sixes on a 116' wheelbase. 193 Coupe, 191 Runabout, 192 Sedan, 190 Touring.

Beverly Kimes' book "Packard" has excellent data and photographs.

I think it was at last years Ballarat swap that I saw an early Packard for sale. Is that the one you bought?

You can give me a call at home in Mildura if you would like, 50246361