Michael C Wauhop

When I bought the car it already had an 8 volt battery in it, when I buy a car I always replace the battery first so I put a brand new interstate 8 volt battery.

Well like I said I do not really drive the car on a regular basis so it sits from time to time. The previous owner had installed a 8-volt battery and set up the voltage regulator to support it but I find I usually have to charge the battery up the day before I start it up and take it out on the road; and that is even after installing a disconnect switch on the battery which resembles a knife switch which I almost always throw to the off position before leaving the car in the garage.

Recently I purchased a 1940 Packard 180. It is a very original car and as befits a car of its status it has many accessories including radio, foglights, heater and defroster backup lights and numerous lights in the dashboard and courtesy lights. It runs like a champ most of the time, but the charging system seems to have a hard time charging up the battery; admittedly I have not driven it a long distance (over 100 miles) yet. At some point a previous owner had the voltage regulator tuned to accept a 8 volt battery instead of the original six-apparently he was having an issue with it as well. I recently had a friend inform me that there is a company on the west coast making a device called the GenerNator. I just wanted to get some feedback from people that may already have this setup.

When I was a young lad over 50 years ago I used to watch TV among my favorite shops were The Untouchables with Robert Stack, Star Trek, My Mother the Car, the Munsters and the Adams Family. I was always intrigued by the vintage autos that would show up in these shows. I wonder if anyone ever made a book about these cars and where they are now. I distinctly member a chase scene on the untouchables using of all things a Duesenberg J!

I am looking to add an air conditioner to my 1955 Packard since it is a driver I plan to go with an aftermarket unit I saw this one made by Classic auto air does anyone out there have this unit and if so are you satisfied with it?

One question I have always had when mounting a trunk on the trunk rack of a 30's car how is it held in place?

Thanks Guys

I was looking to have some chrome mouldings replated for my car. There is a plater in my hometown called Frankford plating; depending on which reviews you read they are either the best chrome platers in the business or the worst I wanted to get some opinions before I take the parts to them.

Thanks Guys!

Does anyone reproduce Pilot Ray driving lights?

No, I do not own one as of yet but I would like to!

Is there a car club specifically for Minerva automobiles? They were made in Antwerp, Belgium and were know as the Belgian Rolls-Royce.

Well I took my 55 Packard for a drive today and all of a sudden the car start running rough then backfiring and then it just plaint quit i pulled over to the side of the road and could smell gas when I popped the hood and although I dont have my spark plug removal tool with me I am sure when I pull the plugs maybe tomorrow they will be fouled. My question is have any of the members out there dealt with this shop they are in Blackwood NJ (they used to be in Collingwood NJ)?

Well I thank you guys for all your advice but I think I have someone I can trust the car with. State auto body has been in business since 1964 and I stopped by their shop a couple of days ago with my car and asked for an estimate. I saw some of their finished work and it looks like they know what there doing they don't specialize in car restoration but they did I 1965 Ford Mustang a few years ago and it looks great. They quoted me a price of $6000 and promised me that I would be happy with the results. The two men who work there one is an old time bodyman who has over 50 years of experience and his son well i went to grade school with him! Here is a photo of the car as you can see the primer is bleeding through the front fender in this picture; its is also bleeding though on other parts of the car.

I was just going to ask for some advice I have a 1955 Packard 400 Hardtop. It is a rust free car from the state of Arizona I bought over 15 years ago . The car has been garage kept since i bought it. Since my employer is settling our work contract and we are expecting retro pay I think now is the time to paint the car .Can anyone on the forum recommend a good body man who doesn't charge an arm and a leg? I am not looking to win 1st place at Hershey but I do want the car to look good. In the Philadelphia Pa area. I should say i want to spend under 10K.