58L-Y8

The 1933 Sixteen was the first year the spinner-style was optional. Bets are the chauffeur had to keep an eye on those to make sure they weren't stolen.

Thanks for the chuckle! Lambasted: to administer a verbal thrashing to, censure. I hope those headlight buckets aren't feeling too badly about themselves after that...

"Why do these guys keep trying to put old bodies on late-model chassis without moving the radiator into a proper position?" Because they don't understand that cars prior to 1935-'36 were designed with the engine placed completely behind the front axle where the radiator was mounted. Commensurately, the cowl and passenger compartment were rearward to the point where rear seat passengers were over and above the rear axle, all a holdover from earlier car design. When the Chrysler Airflow moved the works forward over the front axle to create more interior space so the rear seat passengers could be moved forward and down from atop the rear axle for better ride, all other carmakers followed. Ignorance of engineering history is at the root of these travesties. Yes, Proportions are EVERYTHING.

1954 Kaiser Darrin body shell components.

Mark I recall seeing a 1985-'89 Town Car with a 1980-'83 Mark VI four door deck lid fitted back when those were nearly new cars. It seemed to be a natural fit. No doubt they had to remove the reflector panel, though how much if any modifications for the trunk latch is unknown. Certainly worth a search for parts sources and to give it a try if its how you'd prefer your Town Car to look. The Town Car in question was one of those customized by AHA to a Formal Sedan with the rear roof quarter with nearly vertical backlight, small limousine-style rear window and half-padded top. All in all, quite and elegant look evoking the Classic Era luxury car. Good luck with your personalizing efforts. Steve

Its a 1928 Packard Custom 443 seven passenger touring car, body style no. 310. The touring is easily identified by the loop carriage-style door handles versus the straight type seen on the red phaeton pictures above. Another telltale its a touring is the rear of the body is further to the rear whereas the phaeton is more close-coupled. The Dallas Fire Chief certainly had a nice expensive car befitting his important position. The sign down to the right reads "Auburn Dallas, Used Car Dept" must have been that for the Auburn dealer in the area.

The used car value of most of the minor makes such as Jewett wasn't much by the time they were 5-6 years old. Its value would be even less once it became a defunct make after the 1927 model year which was Jewett's last. The minion charged with buying a jalopy for this demonstration was told, "Get the best-looking jalopy you can for $25, don't matter if it runs".

The easy way to tell these two above are not 1933 Speedway President Model 92 is the rear door edge has a rear fender cutout since the wheelbase is much shorter than 135".

Oakland was on the right track with their mono-block design, the single plane crankshaft was the downfall, that and angled block decks that required cylinder heads of the same design. Eventually, GM did benefit from this early technological development when Cadillac introduced their first mono-block V8 for 1936. Interesting enough, the 1932-'39 Packard Twelve is also a mono-block, which Packard also instituted for the 120 but didn't bother to do so for the Super Eights until the 356 ci of 1940. They were the last to use this outdated method of engine design through 1939. Steve

A major significant feature of these Oakland V8's is they are a mono-block two years before the Ford flathead V8 came to market. The concurrent Viking V8 companion car to Oldsmobile is also a mono-block before Ford as well.

The name given that pseudo phaeton was Scaphandier, if I recall correctly.

Anyone on the survival of at least one of the '30 Packard 745 LeBaron convertible sedans?

Sorry to follow up so late on this topic, had to take images good enough to post. Reportedly, ten of these 1930 Packard 745 convertible sedan by LeBaron were built, did any survive? Its one of the purest examples of classic design: close-coupled, four passenger seating, rear body mass ends at the axle-line, dropped lower sills, rear-mounted spares, emphasis on the wheels. To the Franklins: specifically the victoria coupe at top and the sport sedan at the bottom, both by Dietrich. In the proportions and details such as the thin, chrome window frames, these are some of the most wonderful examples of what that massively talented designer could do. Franklin's relatively short hood looks longer with rear mounted spare, side-mounts were anathema to custom coach designers. Do either survive? Steve

Hi Jim You might also check the Packard Club and Packards International websites, cars for sale section, plus PackardInfo.com cars for sale including the Various CL Pickings which we keep actively posting new CL listing from around the country for consideration. There are many very good 120's available, take your time, check out many, buy the best one you can for the money. Good luck in your pursuit. Steve

This appeared on Craigslist, certainly one of the last undiscovered of its type, a 1929 Deluxe Eight 645 service truck wrecker conversion of a Holbrook Inside-Drive Limousine body: https://worcester.craigslist.org/cto/d/cherry-valley-1929-packard-645/6775956626.html I have no interest or stake in its sale, just thought to bring it to general attention, an interesting historical vehicle. Steve