John N. Packard

JT,<BR> I read Jack Triplett's article in the 1974 Cormorant and find it to be well documented and quite convincing. I have a 1928 526 sedan and consider bolting two of these six cylinder engines in tandem a reasonable project. The article states that each bank of six cylinders had its own carburetor and distributor. Doesn't seem too challenging to me to mock this up in the Packard factory shops with all the necessary materials readily available. It's an interesting story.<P>jnp bbbb

Al: In Maryland cars registered as "historic" vehicles are exempt from inspection. They must however carry liability insurance. He can probably get that without much difficulty. I have always registered and insured my cars for this reason regardless of condition. Don't want a neighbors complaint to cause me grief with the zoning board!<P>jnp

Thanks Peter, this building is awesome!<P>jnp

Here's an update on the '50 Packard. The owner checked with the zoning board and discovered that if he licenses the car it can stay where it is. So, that is what he intends to do!<P>jnp

I traveled up to Hershey today and saw the progress being made at the museum construction site. Steel has been placed and the first floor concrete is being poured. Wow! This is going to be an impressive facility that we all can be proud of.<BR>It occurred to me that we as the newsletter editiors of AACA regions are probably in a position to inform the membership more than anyone else in the organization. Region presidents come and go; but the newsletter editor is a lifetime appointment! The national board members rotate from one assignment to another; but every newsletter issue we have the opportunity to inform the members about what is going on.<BR>Any ideas about how best to report the unfolding story of the AACA Museum?<P>jnp

As we discuss the pros and cons of establishing a class for pre 1949 authenticated Hot Rods, I thought it would be interesting to look at the original purpose of the AACA. I found the following prospectus and statement of purpose from 1944. Membership at that time was approaching 350 members! The emphasis at that point in our hobby was preservation, collection, and exhibition of automobiles and automobiliana that were twenty-five years old or older in consideration of their future historical interest. The purpose was to perpetuate memories of the pioneering days of automobiling. The by-laws provided for a membership committee to pass on the qualifications of prospective members and whose decisions would be conclusive concerning the age and specification of member's cars for club purposes and records.<BR> Certainly there have been revisions of these documents through the years; but I think it is instructive to review the ideas of our founding fathers. The actual criteria used for qualifying cars is not stated. In the broad sense of perpetuating memories of pioneering days of automobiling by the preservation, collection and exhibition of vehicles 25 years old or older; authentic, pre 1949 Hot Rods would be of historical interest. I find it interesting that several contributors to this thread have commented that these original Hot Rods, that are of historical value, generate little interest at the contemporary shows. Perhaps AACA is the proper venue for the exhibition of these vehicles!<P>Prospectus<BR>The Antique Automobile Club of America<BR>(Reprinted from Volume 8, Number 2 of The Antique Automobile July, 1944)<P> Interest in early automobiles became evident in the Philadelphia area before 1932. In that year the officials who conducted the Philadelphia Automobile Show decided to inaugurate, as an added attraction, a derby in which cars twenty-five years, or older, could participate. Prizes were offered for longest distance traveled, appearance, age, and road-worthiness of car. Although many aspects of the feature left room for improvement, the affair was such a success that it was continued with modifications each year until 1940, when the automobile show was discontinued. Some of the participants in the early derbies soon realized that a group or organization for old car owners would serve to promote the aims of old car operators, so in November 1935 the Antique Automobile Club of America was formed with fourteen charter members. The activities of the club centered around the annual derby until about 1937, when the officers decided to hold other events of interest. It was in this year that the club Bulletin first appeared in mimeographic form as contrasted to our present handsome, "The Antique Automobile."<BR> From this start the Club has now grown until it boasts a membership of enthusiasts scattered over the United States and England. The original Club Constitution was redrafted, and meetings were held every month at the home of some member. It was found that the enthusiasm and interest aroused in the collection and exhibition of the early cars grew very rapidly. At the present time the Antique Automobile Club holds its own annual outing in which numerous cars participate, and it has inaugurated an annual banquet which proved to be a tremendous success in 1940. In addition, there have been many activities of a minor nature including participation in local parades and pageants, as well as short tours to nearby points of interest.<BR> Since the founding of our club, two very active clubs have been formed in other sections of the country. This has served to promote a feeling of mutual interest between the more widely scattered members, due in part to the fact that a great many enthusiasts belong to all three of the clubs.<BR> The original thought in limiting membership to owners of vintage cars has been discarded, because it soon appeared that there were many collectors in allied fields who were tremendously interested. Their collections include emblems, nameplates, lamps, horns, books, catalogs, literature, advertisements, and pictures. In addition we have found many who are simply fascinated in seeing and talking about the cars and former experiences, although they are in no way collectors.<BR> We who are living in the period 1900-on are witnessing one of the most extraordinary changes that has yet come over the human race in such a short period of time. This change can be traced directly to the introduction of the self-propelled vehicle, which, of course, in turn led to the practical application of the airplane. It is entirely fitting that the history and the models of this momentous period should be preserved for generations to come, and not only preserved passively in a museum, but actively in order to show how they operated. It is necessary to collect and record, from those who can still remember, the trials and tribulations which accompanied the early days of motoring. Some of our older members recall vividly their first-hand experiences during those times. Younger ones have had it handed down to them by word of mouth. Others of us can remember how, as youngsters, we were permitted to squeeze the bulb horn, or perhaps to hand tools for frequent repairs.<BR> And in all we sincerely feel that ours is a worthwhile hobby which will, in years to come, prove of tremendous historical interest, and we extend a cordial invitation to anyone, regardless of age or sex, whose interest has been aroused, to join us in this fascinating pastime.<P>Constitution and By-laws<BR>Article I - Organization and Purpose<BR>Sec. 1. The name of this organization shall be the Antique Automobile Club of America.<BR>Sec. 2. The purpose of this organization shall be to perpetuate memories of the pioneer days of automobiling by encouraging the preservation and collection of antique automobiles and automobiliana.<P>Article X - Membership Committee<BR>Sec. 1. The president shall appoint...to<BR> (a) Obtain new members.<BR> ( Pass upon qualifications of prospective members<BR> © Assist in the identification of cars of members and prospective members.<BR>Sec. 2. The decision of the Membership Committee as to age and specifications of cars shall be conclusive for club purposes and records.

Between Tod and Peter, superb photo coverage of the meet! Thank you very much.<P>jnp

Got the nut off today! A little more WD-40 and a longer extension pipe broke it loose. The pinion seal is replaced and the yoke flange reinstalled. Thanks for your help!<BR>jnp

ply33,<BR> Thanks for the great photos of the Sunnyvale Meet! I particularly like the '56 and '37 Packards. I'm glad that there were few spectators. Sure makes picture taking easy. All my photos have hoards of people milling around and the hoods are invariably up.<BR>jnp

Well, here's a thread I can really relate to! I started collecting Packards in the mid sixties when I joined AACA and the Chesapeake Region. I have told everyone over the years that I would restore them when I retired. Now I have been retired for almost a year and am working at it! I drove three of them as second cars, which was the excuse that I used to buy them. Put 11K miles on my '40 Club Coupe, about 10K miles on my '47 Custom, and 60K miles on my '52 200. I completed restoration of the drive train and chassis on the Club Coupe about four years ago. I have started on the body work; but it is going slowly. My second purchase, a '37 Super 8 limousine has sat forlornly waiting for my loving care for 35 years. My most recent acquisition? A model 526 sedan that needs a new top and interior. When I pulled that one in, my wife said: "Don't bring home another project car. Sell them all and get one good, fully restored vehicle!" Can't do that, I've loved these carriages too long!<BR>jnp

Well, I've tried both suggestions with no success!. Put some WD-40 on it and will let it sit overnight. I guess I'm getting weak in my old age. I used a 3/4 inch breaker bar and an extension pipe. Held the yoke with a wrench and extension pipe against the floor of the garage. It just will not break loose. The impact wrench made a racket but didn't budge it either. I could only get 120 psi. <BR>jnp

I'm trying to remove the differential universal joint flange on my '54 Packard Patrician. Any suggestions as to how to bust the nut loose that holds it to the pinion shaft? Thanks!<P>jnp

Got a flyer in the mail for a publication called Auto Restorer. Anyone out there have any information on it? The editor is Ted Kade and the address is Boulder, CO. It is described as a newsletter. Thanks!<P>jnp

Packard 53,<BR> The Gettysburg Region AACA will be hosting their 27th Annual Car Show and Flea Market at the Latimore Valley Fairgrounds in York Springs, PA. on Saturday May 25th. This is just a short distance off US Route 15 and is also the location of the Eastern Museum of Motor Racing. The Packard Truck Meet is held on the Sunday after Hershey at Dave Lockard's home in York Springs.<BR>jnp

Packard53,<BR> I agree that the PAC website is restrictive. Marshall seems to have a phobia about his material being pirated. I found the history about Packard very interesting; so I spent a few hours typing it in on my laptop while viewing it a box at a time online. I'm also disappointed with the forum. I have posted a number of queries and rarely get any response even though my post receives 50 or more hits. I surmise that the site is populated by lurkers. On the other hand, here on the AACA site I get responses within hours of a posting. I can't explain why the difference or perhaps it is my imagination!<BR>Pete Hartman,<BR> There you go again equating power and speed to satisfaction with a motor car! I thought that the hallmark of the Senior Packards was quiet and graceful motoring. By the thirties it had been a long time since Packard frequented the race tracks. Then in the post WWII period there was the Panther Daytona. Did Packard or anybody for that matter race the Senior Cars of the thirties?<BR>jnp

Packard53,<BR> At the Frederick All Packard Swap Meet I talked to a couple from upstate New York who had a similar comment. They were talking with a group of Senior Packard owners who simply walked away from them when they mentioned that they had a Junior car. My strategy is to own examples of both! However, I have not experienced such snobbery. It only hurts the club. At our local AACA meets, I try to make everyone welcome and show an interest in their car whatever it might be. After all they have put a lot of time and effort into it; so why not share their pride of ownership?<P>jnp

Orphanauto,<BR> There are a number of '55/'56 Packard owners on line here who can give you specific instructions to trouble shoot your load leveling system. My understanding is that there is a switch that monitors and adjusts the level. This switch was prone to failure due to exposure to the elements. I believe that you can disconnect the automatic leveling feature if desired. Others on line will surely give you detailed information. Congratulations on your ownership of a Packard!<P>jnp

Packard53,<BR> Could you elaborate on what you mean by "game playing"? I've been a member of PAC and the Mid-Atlantic Packards region for many years. Have received invitations to join CCCA; but have declined since I belong to AACA and PAC. I would spread myself too thin to join another. As it is, most of my involvement is with AACA.<P>jnp

Pete,<BR> A Twelve vintage 30s. How about a '34 sedan "The Restful Car". Great ads from Fortune magazine during those years. I made a scrapbook of them back when I was in grade school. Still have it!<P>jnp

I would go for any model in the second generation of Packard Twelves. Just viewed videos from the Canandaigua Meet. What a marvelous collection of Packards. Practically every one of them looked pristine. One of these days I'll make it to one of these events!<P>jnp

The parts I listed were picked up yesterday! Boy, am I glad to have the space in my shed back! <BR>jnp

A former co-worker called me the other day to say that he had to dispose of his 1950 Packard. He has owned the car since new; but it has been stored outside for years. I went by his place today and what a sad derelict this car has become. The wheels have sunk into the ground about six inches, there is rust and rust-out everywhere, and his grandchildren caved in the top. He has the car loaded with junk so that you can barely see inside it. With some manuevering we got the driver door open and the hood released. Surprisingly the engine compartment didn't look too bad. Everything is there and the oil on the dipstick looks okay. The odometer shows 65K miles that he claims is original. He has until the end of May to remove the car by court mandate on a zoning violation. He told me the story that we have all heard so many times that he planned to fix it up but never got around to it. What are your thoughts? Is there any value at all in this tired old Packard? I really would like to help him out.<BR>jnp

You can read my take on this at <A HREF="http://www.aaca.org/chesapeake/orphan_cars.htm" TARGET=_blank>http://www.aaca.org/chesapeake/orphan_cars.htm</A> This is a summary of my presentation at the AACA Annual Meeting in Philadelphia during the Library and Research Center Seminar on Orphan Cars.<BR>Pete, if you dropped a 359 CID four barrel carb engine into a 250 convertible and roared across the country in 2 and one-half days; then your concept of performance is quite different I suspect from the typical Packard Owner! <BR>jnp

Yep Randy, this is the place. I have five hoods, four trunk lids and several doors for 1955 and 56 Packards that are free to a good home! Just come and pick them up anytime, one or all, at your convenience in Fallston, MD. I'd love to get rid of them! <BR>jnp

Peter,<BR> You raise an interesting point. The 8.00x15 tires from Coker that I mounted on my '54 Patrician also have a smaller (narrower) footprint than the tires they replaced (8.20x15). The change in handling the car is remarkedly better. I attributed it to the rebuild of the suspension.<BR> I removed and replaced the front springs on my '37 Super 8 limousine. I wasn't aware that it was any more hazardous than doing this on any car. Regretably, it was so many years ago that I don't remember how I did it. The Super 8 takes the 7.50x16 tires. I need a set of six for this car!<P>jnp