John N. Packard

Randy, That was my guess. On my parts car the decal is located at about the hour hand 10:30 position as viewed from the left side of the vehicle. From the PI document I interpret that it should be at the 9:00 o'clock position? Brian, Thanks for the tip on the Service Counselors. I have the 1954 edition and will look for the picture that you mention. I talked with an AACA judge recently who suggested that in AACA judging uniformity may be more important than authenticity. I interpreted him to be saying that if corbin clamps were used in one location, they should be used in all. This probably doesn't hold in all cases but suggests that factory documentation would be useful where your car has differences. A number of people have suggested that one value of the HPOF vehicles is the same as the abandoned vehicle that you mention. jnp

Peter, As region newsletter editor I have struggled with this issue for years. If I was an early bird I would post myself with camera at the entrance to the show and get the pictures as the cars roll in. You may notice at Hershey and other national meets that certain cars are selected for a photo opportunity. They are removed to an appropriate location, pictures taken, and then returned to the show field. What surprises me is that even at local non-judged shows people will automatically raise the hood and trunk lid as soon as they are parked. There are some member's cars that I have photographed dozens of times, all with the hoods up! As for the crowds, I accept the fact of their presence, and use automatic focus and fast shutter speed to snap the picture during the instant that the crowds have moved away. This happens, even at Hershey! jnp

James, I agree with Dizzy Dale. I restored my '40 coupe by removing the body and putting the chassis on a rotisserie (Roto-Body). Once you get it properly balanced it really facilitates access to every nook and corner of the frame. I sand blasted the frame and then used a rust preventive primer to seal it. I also put the body on the rotisserie after completing the chassis. Balance turned out to be even more critical with the body. I sandblasted it and took forever removing all the sand! The underside of the body was really easy to do when rotated 90 degrees. On the other hand I am currently doing my '54 sedan an area at a time without removing the body from the chassis. It is taking much longer, is not as effective for removing rust, and is much more difficult reaching every nook and cranny. On your convertible body I would concur that bracing is very important. Keep us posted as to your choice and progress. Hope it goes well for you! jnp

Thanks Brian, That factory photo of the engine compartment is probably the way to go. The illustrations in the sales folders tend to be stylized versions. My parts book (48-54) gives no hint in the illustrations as to what the clamps are. I bolted the WCFB carburetor back on the car today. Discovered while researching it in the 1955 shop manual that I left out the needle valve under the acceleration jets; so had to take it back apart and correct that problem. Typically I use a parts car or part to figure things out. I make sketches; but even with them I can get confused. Now the issue is the decal for the air cleaner horn. I have the decals from PI; but one they say is for all the '54s except the 359 cid motor. The parts car has a decal that is listed in the PI catalog for the '55s and '56s. I guess I'll look under some hoods at Hershey this coming weekend to see what I can learn. I'm leaning toward using the '55/'56 decal. Then the issue becomes where does it go on the air horn! Ain't this fun! jnp

Howard, Paul will be taking the Studebaker up to the car corral at Hershey and if he gets his price it will be gone. Bill, Jackson completed the trip in 63 1/2 days. Tom Fetch started a month after Jackson, so Jackson completed the ordeal first. jnp

tommy1927, Chesapeake Region members had the privilege of providing cars for a press conference at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History on this past Tuesday announcing the late November opening of the "America on the Move" exhibit in the General Motors wing. The featured car in our caravan was Kisling's replica of the 1903 Winton that he drove cross country this past summer to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Horatio Jackson's trip in 1903. Ken Burns rode in the Winton with Kisling from the Ritz Carlton hotel down to the museum. Dayton Duncan the author of the book rode right behind them in Paul Habicht's 1928 Studebaker. General Motors entertained everyone with a reception and dinner at the museum that evening. We all had a great time! jnp

Thanks Brian for clearing up my confusion! I was at the Carlisle swap meet today and the only type of clamps that I found were the aftermarket worm gear type. There is a fellow named Johnson from Texas who advertises in the Cormorant News Bulletin that he can supply the correct type clamps for all Packards. I'm primarily interested in documentation at this point. I'm certain that the two wire type that I have on my '54 now are not correct. I believe they are a pre-WWII type of clamp. I also have used them on my '47 Clipper. I'm currently detailing the engine compartment on my '54 Patrician and thought while I was about it I should use the right parts. As an aside, I'm currently rebuilding the Carter WCFB carbureator. The top and bottom appear to be silver and the mid-section bronze. At Carlisle Larry Isgro had a WCFB restored that way so I assume it is correct. He must use a clearcoat on the carbs as well because they have a glossy finish. I'm using the Eastwood Carb Re-new paints and get a flat finish. jnp

Brian, Are you saying that this is the correct type hose clamp for the 1954 Packards? If so, where does one get them? jnp <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Thanks Randy, I figured that you might have the answer! I have a bunch of the corbin type clamps; but thought perhaps they were for later year vehicles. I have the pliers to use with these clamps and mine are notched for either straight on or right angle use. Don't remember where I got them; but they do help. jnp

Anyone know what type of hose clamps Packard originally provided on their 1954 models? jnp

Wayne, Thanks for the pictures. Very sobering. On our way up from Myrtle Beach we saw several houses in the Emporia area with similar damage. No power in Emporia so we couldn't gas up there. Went on the Stony Creek via 301 and found a Texaco open and pumping. I was down to 24 miles left according to the computer. Spent the morning cutting up a Bradford Pear for a friend who lost it in their back yard. They are pretty when in bloom but are not a sturdy tree. It's raining again tonight. We had sunshine in Myrtle Beach! <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> jnp

Glen, We're going back to Myrtle Beach! Got back home to Maryland to find that the power had been off for twelve hours and there was two inches of water on the basement floor. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> On the way up I-95 we saw caravans of power company trucks from Florida, Georgia and South Carolina heading out to help. It was an impressive sight and I was awed by their willingness to help others in this difficult situation. All week long in Myrtle Beach we had sunshine, electric power and all the associated amenities. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I think I'll head back down! jnp

Thanks Bruce! We'll keep our fingers crossed. The wind has picked up here in Myrtle Beach this morning and it is raining. We're on the back side of the storm here. jnp

There are a lot of aftermarket ornaments out there that pretend to be a Packard application. jnp

I remember Hazel in 1954. I walked two blocks from the dime store where I worked to home and got soaked to the skin. Had a big TV antenna on the roof and it toppled over. Things got calm all of a sudden (eye of the hurricane); so I got up on the roof and took the antenna down. Only a teenager would do a dumb thing like that! We're in Myrtle Beach for this one. Looks like it will pass us by. Was out on the beach this afternoon with only modest surf; but a stiff breeze. Cloud cover moved in around 5 PM. Forecast for tomorrow is showers and windy. Bruce, did the power go out during that six inches of rain? If it did we've got a flooded basement back home. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> jnp

Earl, There was a Wigwam motel on US Route 1 just south of Ashland, Virginia north of Richmond back in the 50s. I don't recall that the cabins were shaped liked wigwams; but it did have one out front. Have no idea what became of it. I've lived in Maryland since 1958. jpn

I'll be following Amphicar's suggestion and be in the garage working on mine while the rest of you enjoy motoring on the Interstates. I did that for 33 years, 50 miles one-way, and that's enough! My excuse for buying three of my antiques was to run them as a second car. I put 10K miles on two of them and 60K on another. Don't think I would try it today at the 70+ mph speeds that are now normal out there. Have a great drive on Monday! jnp

Randy, At one time Ron Carpenter out in California sold glove box liners. I got one for my '40 110 from him. jnp

What do those of us who are retarded...oops, retired do to celebrate this "Drive your classic to work day"? jnp

Howard, Art Donovan was the Marshall for the Towson 4th of July parade this year. He is a principal in the Valley Country Club. You may recall that Chesapeake Region held meets there years ago. He spoke to Jerry Gordon and invited us to come back. We'll probably schedule a special meet there in August. John P.

Frank, I have a REO reel type riding mower from the 50s. Used it for a good many years; but it has been stored in the shed now for quite a while. Never thought to look for a website. jnp

Howard, Do you soak the cloth in motor oil to cause swelling and a tight fit after assembly as the GM body book that I have suggests? jnp

Wayne, Did he charge $100 for the service or are prices cheaper in the Northern Neck? jnp <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Fonz, Ultramatic Drive was offered on the 23rd series cars for Packard's Golden Anniversary in 1949. In late 1954, the Gear Start or first version of the Twin Ultramatic was introduced. The Packard Ultradynamics website of Peter Fitch has a summary of refinements and problems with the Twin Ultramatic. Those problems have led some Packard collectors to replace the TU unit with Mopar or GM transmissions. I have just rebuilt a '54 Gear Start. It's expensive and time consuming and I won't know until I get it installed if the job was successful! jnp

Great show in spite of the drizzle and the cold. As always, a very friendly crowd of antique car lovers. At 3 PM the heavens opened and a real gully washer rained down upon us. I hope everyone made it home safely. I had to detour off of Route 94 South to Hanover because of flooding just below the Adams County line. jnp