Highlander160

While at Hershey I hope to find some 28-32 robe rail and shade mounting hdwr. If anyone has a "stash" they'll be taking please post up your space numbers, or PM some contact info. These will be going in the recently restored Ruxton in the "...unwitting..." post in General Conversation. The shade hardware is LeBaron Bonney and doesn't quite make it, and no robe rail hardware was with the car. Ruxton being one of many "Boutique" cars that used available components we won't be expecting something uber-specific. Thanks in advance for any leads.

A few years ago we did the interior in that car in an effort to make Pebble in the preservation class. It made it but got tagged in the rt frt fender on the tour (!). The top was ABSOLUTELY the "Brown Bomber" top, but the photos I looked at were when it was a "DeVille" concept with the Lucite (?) cover over the driver's seat.. When it went on is anyone's guess but with the headliner gone all the evidence was there and coincided with photos in a couple Packard books that had some detail visible. Cool car, but most assuredly an acquired taste.

I'm proud to have been a part of this experience. I've become closer with good friends and made new ones, and I gave it my all in honor of that. I'm also impressed with the caliber of observers here and on other forums. The positive intangibles have been just as rewarding as the car itself. Good job, and thanks to everyone. Jocko McNeal The Enthusiast Garage, llc Monroe, MI

So you see folks, it's been "in color" all along. A wonderful experience worth every drop of sweat, every hour, every high and low. Thanks Barry, I wouldn't have missed this for anything. It does beg the question, when do "we" start the next one?

It takes all kinds. Years ago a foreign couple tried to put their toddler on the fender of a freshly restored Packard for a picture (!) and didn't understand my angst about it. Not sitting mind you, STANDING on a freshly painted 100pt car. Good call on the possible crime element. We're all pretty sick of hearing about stolen collector cars and a 60 Chevy would part out nicely. Coulda been scopin you out.

Hello West, Jocko here. We seem to hear the same grievance about Woodlite headlamps from past owners that they're dismal in their ability to light the road ahead. Many years ago we did a Packard cpe roadster that had them and we had the same concerns. Once restored and the reflectors replated they were extremely bright. The version we used had an adjustable bulb socket. In and out for sure, but I seem to recall a screw setting on the bottom section at the rear that allowed a bit of tilt as well. The neighbor across the street had his garage open one evening and from ours we lit his back wall (about 160' away) completely on the high beam setting. On low they did lower the beam but we still seemed to light most of his backyard. These had a stationary bulb socket with no apparent adjustments. If someone were bent upon having a set I think the same results we achieved are possible.

Deadlines are for TV shows. That's my normal response to such, however, if it can happen there's nothing wrong with a little extra effort now and then. I find it's not nearly as easy as it used to be (!) but something makes me hit this gig hard. I'm not far from, "Never again..." myself, but the next one needs to make Labor Day. Go figure, huh?

I blame schools for calling skilled trades an "alternative career path". "Duh, I too sthupid to do nuttin else stho I gunna be a plummer..." seems to be the message sent. Yet a good plumber can make $120K/yr with ease. A metal fabricator can do close to that. What's the latest union carpenter wage? Nah, forget all that, let's stock up our society with kids leaving college with a $75-100K mortgage (student loans) and no jobs to go with those degrees they were extorted for. All you older guys on here, you who've done exceptionally well with your hands and your brain? The schools tell your kids and grand kids that essentially you're a loser. The poor stupid painter in the dealership made $95K. Dumb bastid...

I'm the old grey bastid pulling the trigger on this, and my dear friend Dan Letinski is my colleague. As to why base/clear, nearly everything today is done that way, and soon enough everything will be waterbourne. We have enough to stay with the car for touch up in the future but hope we never need it. In any other material each color would have to go on, be nearly finished and polished before we move on to the next. Imagine the time involved on that process. Old lacquers dried in minutes, cured within an hour, give or take a few, but then you have the lines to deal with. One thing I always work toward is the LEAST amount of material applied in each application. The end result stays true to what we might see on an original with regard to material on door edges and such. So many cars are simply too "thick" to suit me. We get excellent coverage and reasonable dry times to move on to other colors using basecoat materials. The clear I use, while a bit more $$$, levels down as close to lacquer as possible in reflective quality. Once cured and polished, most clear coats end up with a "cellulite" look to them weeks after final surfacing. That just wasn't seen in cars back then, not even on Model A Fords. Enjoy the show! Jocko The Enthusiast Garage Monroe, MI

This topic strikes a nerve for me because I think stupid is truly at pandemic levels. Parents? Some more stupid than their spawn. It also seems to be crossing into older generations yet I can't understand why. It's amazing what some folks say and others repeat, and worse yet, take note of the shameless stupidity in D.C. and on news programs. An elected official worries and island will tip over if a naval base expands. Another wants to limit bicycle use because it makes people breathe heavier and emit more CO2. I mean really, don't you just want to throw a bucket of ice water on these pukes and wake em up!? Holy ring n pinion, what we hear about our cars and related parts or options is enough to drive a man to drink sometimes. I was told all Packards were black unless they were "special ordered" and, ... "you should really have the paperwork before you choose a color...". "Hey man, thanks a bunch. I never knew that until just now." A person of less than admirable intelligence once asked me, regarding the hours into a restoration, "...wouldn't that pay for a few college educations instead?" "F***in eh, it paid for mine." was my reply. Craigslist? You can't even make up some of the stuff you read on there no matter how hard you try. It took me a long time to learn to bite my lip or just try to be entertained by all of it. At 14 I was already painting cars, before that I learned how to be a brick mason's laborer, how to lay a floor in a new house, how to shovel concrete, and once in a while how to stick weld. Have a kid do any of that today and a parent may find themselves behind bars. I loved it and looked forward to the next challenge or job site. Selling to the open public, like at swap meets? A roll of the dice when any individual walks up. Something new I was selling for nearly 1/2 price with additional items included at no charge. The guy makes an insulting offer. "No thanks." "Well you need the money so why not?", was his reply. "I do? Hey ******** (placing my foot on the table), my shoes cost $130, this f****in truck behind me is paid for too (late model Dmax dually). I need the money? Kiss my ass. NOT FOR SALE." as I put the parts in my truck. "Take a hike *****..." As the moron walked off someone who watched the whole event politely asked if I'd consider selling them at my initial price. "Sure, I just won't sell em to that prick. It's early so you're welcome to leave them here and pick it all up when you're done. They'll be in the back seat of the truck with your name on the box so you can get em if I'm not here. Fair enough?" "Yes, thanks a lot." " Here, these upper and lower mounts are included." "Seriously?" "Yeah, seriously, and the springs too." "That guy was stupid." "It's a pandemic sir." I could banned for excess use of bandwidth if I keep going. Do I feel yours and other's pain on this topic? Uh, yeah...

Sometimes the collector's identity brings more $$$$$$$$ to the table. Clearly Mr. Pratt has that going for himself, but it's never a guarantee of nice returns or perhaps breaking even. A triple black 65 GTO conv sold for $272,000 in 06 or 07 here near Detroit. Haven't seen one that high since so was it 1 of 1? Was it that good (probably was)? That fever pitch rang through on some others too, but only on very rare occasions at the right sale will those anomalies happen. This gig has a pulse, this car collection/buying/selling thing, and all of us will hit that desire to be selling when the pulse is fast or buying when it's hard to find. Many will take the easy way and simply say "...just buy what you like and forget the money..." but that's not reality. Even though you enter this activity for purely personal or aesthetic reasons, that day will come when it looks like an investment. You or a family member needs excess medical care, you have a serious business opportunity available, it's time to send the kids to college, or it's time to move out to the country and you want all the cash possible. Any number of reasons in between as well. To not look ahead on these can be a mistake, and to over-spend on the wrong car can be as well. You really SHOULD like what you buy or collect, but even just a seasoning of financial responsibility will always be worthwhile.

No matter how politely you ask they never tell you their name... Sorry, I couldn't resist.

I tried a search and got everything but what I was seeking. We're looking for window shades for the 3 rear windows on the Ruxton project. Any ideas, sources, proper terms for a search? Thanks in advance, and if you have 3 shades to sell, let us know.

Post #7 says it's gone, sorry... As to biz cpes, yes the rear seat area is finished as an open storage compartment. I never found a picture of the shelf equipment listed in the Packard parts book for these. One well versed Packard guy said it hung under the garnish moldings. A dear friend of over 30yrs owns it so the search continues for that part. I'm sure with pictures I could exactly duplicate what it was.

Sold...

Aw don't be so scared. That'll buff right out...

1934 Packard 8 cyl (fits both 8 and Super 8) oil cooler body, core and oil line set. Hard to find, 34 only, in fine condition. Lines are clean and easy to re-plate, I don't have the tin cover or fitting so what you see is what you get. A bargain at $150. Messages here are fine or: email: highlander809@gmail.com cell ph: 734 637 1421, and please leave a msg if I don't answer.

If you have your modern colors made with more TONER (transparent) than TINT (solid or oxide) you can achieve a look that's all but impossible to detect from original. Sprayed over a dead black base will also net a final color closer to what Packard did. Good luck with the colors, hope this helps...

I have a Packard R-9 O.D. transmission for sale. Side shift levers in a removable top, solenoid and speed governor, also above average condition side motor/trans mounts. I've had the top off and see no damage. Some original paint and a bit of a yellow inspection mark still showing. This may also be the one that can convert to "cane" shift for some earlier models. I think $1250 is a fair price, if you don't, feel free to make a sincere offer but low ballers will be ignored. It's also fairly heavy so shipping won't be peanuts, yet at my asking price I will crate it for transport at no charge and provide pics before it ships. Fair enough? I can be reached here or... Email: highlander809@gmail.com Cell ph: 734 637 1421 and please leave a msg/text if I don't answer and I will return the call. Thanks for looking and here's a few pics.

Not for sale...

These will be in the chocolate field, space CU57. See ya there...

Hershey is looming up behind us! If you need these, make a sincere offer and I'll cart em out there for you next month.

If a potential seller doesn't offer, with no reserves of any kind, his name, ph number, pictures, mailing address, and anything else you'd think to do, well logic rules, no? You can tell, or should be able to, who's real and who isn't. I tell all and almost insist on a personal call so that some form of "meeting" is done before doing business. Seems fair to me, but then again I got nuttin to hide...

bumped up. Nobody needs a 41 grille?

If I'm way off here let me know. Didn't think I was based on past prices but it's been a while.