There is presently a '34 1101 on eBay and one of the pictures of it shows a 'U' shaped piece of tubing mounted under car. Can anyone tell me what this assembly does??? I have some guesses, but not sure?
See pic:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Packard-P...1QQcmdZViewItem

I'm going to guess radio antenna.

My first guess was a TV antenna but it could be for radio. (Since it appears to be mounted in plastic insulator tubes and appears to have an rf-cable attached)
An antenna could have been made so much simpler than that, tho.

Looks like the description says it is "..the original factory radio with the original antenna mounted under the passenger running board that still works..."

Perhaps the seller is watching this forum, Rick.

Wow, I don't think that was there when I first looked at it, but I hadn't had my coffee yet !
A '34 open with original '30s style radio-control-panel must be Very Rare!
I doubt that antenna was Factory installed, tho. The pvc-tubing-insulator and coax-cable look much too new.

That looks like a period-correct radio, but I don't think it's the factory radio.

I was curious about a few things on that car. First, it says it has a tach, but I didn't see one on the dash. Were they even available on Packards?



Is this the oil pump?



Is this cannister under the left rear of the car a vacuum reservoir for the brakes?



What a beautiful car. I have a kidney for sale, if anyone's looking...

What I noticed is wood graining that didn't appear to me to be correct.

I don't know about 1934, but a tach was available in 1930, or at least it was on the speedster series. It was NOT an in-dash unit, however. It mounted to the steering column. I've only seen a couple.

Yes, it is a beautiful car ,
but I'm not fond of the Circus-wagon Orange color, on a '34.

The oil pump (on bottom) and fuel pump (on top) are one assembly, in lower right of pic.
The oil cooler is the large green assembly in upper left of pic.

Though a lovely and desireable car, there are several things that strike me as incorrect, based on over 40 years of familiarity with many 1934 Packards. (1) the radio head is not a 1934 Packard factory radio head. (2) The wood grain on the dash in incorrect, should be a burl grain. (3) the oil filter is most obviously incorrect, it should be a Purolator L-6, though an L-8 with adapter plates on each end is virtually indistinguishable. Of course correct-appearing filter housings with modern filters inside are readily available for several sources. The brake selector switch appears to be chrome plated but should be nickel plated, ditto for the oil filler cap. In fact all the plated engine trim should be nickel. Closed car antennas were below the roof batting, and open cars were under the running board, but at least parts of that antenna appear to be modern adaptations.

None of this is offered to belittle the car, I'd love to own it. It's just that if we let these things pass unnoted, others may view them as correct and perpetuate the error.

Well since we are picking the car apart...

Take these with a grain of salt since I know 32s better...

The fuel lines should be nickle plated. Though for these cars, I'm told PI judging accepts chrome plating.

Back window looks incorrect.

Missing the screens for the horns though not sure which way was factory stock.

Crankcase breather on backwards

Seat pattern is wrong.

Should have dual coils on top of engine head. Have coil mounted on side of engine block.

Door panels need to have insert panels and not the just the pattern sewn on the leather.

Water jacket bolts need to be painted.

Also the clock time is incorrect

Man, Just a piece of Junk Isn't it.
I Always did Love that kinda 'Junk', tho.
and wish I had More of 'em.

O man I won't post pictures of my car anymore . Na I will because I know my car is going to be a nice looking driver.

Which one owns the car>>>>>>> Barnum or Baily speedster>>>>?????

LOL My guess is B&B's Circus 'Clowns'

No one has mentioned that it's not a phaeton. It's a touring.

Tom,

Just don't use wood grained contact paper for the dash and we'll leave you alone

Also, the pinstripe is incorrect.

And yes, the canister is the vacuum brake booster.

Tom

However show me a 30's Buick or a Cadillac and I couldn't tell you what is right and what is wrong. Though the 30 Lasalle at the show I recently competed against had a bunch of polish stainless steel bolts which I know isn't correct.

I actually didn't find that color that bad, though I would reserve final judgement until I see it in person.

I don't care for the body color or the fender color, and really don't think they go together at all... just my 2 cents worth...B

PS - not to be picky, but it's phaeton, not pheaton.

You are correct Wes. It's a Touring, not a Phaeton. Entirely different bodies, entirely different top irons and bows. Phaeton sounds more expensive I suppose.

No worries I have a good friend here that offered to help me out with doing it the right way