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Dave Mitchell

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Posts posted by Dave Mitchell

    Real Packard trunk?

    in Packard

    Posted

    I agree, top up only when really cold or raining. I have had a 41 160 convertible for about 7 years and the top has been up about two hours of that time, and that was when it rained while I was at a show and includes the time it took for it to dry so I could put it back down. Most of the mid 30s to 42 Packard convertibles look better top down to me. The 39 12 convertible sedan in my garage has the top down, and the front compartment of my town car is always open. I think that the speedsters look terrific with the top down, it shows off how much lower they are. I guess I don't really understand why people will pay significantly more for a convertible and never put the top down - why not buy a sedan?

    I agree too that the roadster with the top down probably looks better without the trunk, or is better with the top up. I love the aerodynamic style of the 35s. As long as I am going against the current, I will say that I prefer the 35/36 roadster to the 34s, it is a cleaner, more flowing design.

    Real Packard trunk?

    in Packard

    Posted

    That is a very nice trunk that came with your car and may well be correct. West is right, it does have different latches than one usually sees on Packard trunks, but it is so similar in design and the rest of the trim that it could be one from Packard,and is almost certainly made by the company that supplied Packard trunks. I have quite a few trunks, at least 6 different styles that were offered by Packard and are pictured in literature, catalogs, factory photos, showroom or parts displays. It is pretty likely that if Packard got a batch that looked like this from their supplier, they would send them on to the dealers. The other trunk on a restored car is actually different from any of the metal trunks that I have and know to have been offered by Packard. Since yours has a drop front and hinged top, it is closer in configuration to the "correct" ones that I know of. That said, the one you have a photo of may be correct too. Most of the Packard metal trunks had latches on the side for the drop front. As a point of trivia, I have several with fitted cases, and these were even numbered to match the trunk in some instances and there were at least 4 different types and grades of cases. I would put the trunk on and enjoy it, especially if you like it. If someone tells you that it is wrong, I would ask them to prove it.

    I would have to respectfully disagree that all Packards look better with no trunk and the tops up. I think that the 35/36 sedans, of which I own one, looks better with a trunk on the rack. The styling of the 35/36s also left little room for integral trunks and putting one on the rack gives you at least some storage. The seven passenger sedans had a trunk for one passenger and not even that if the car didn't have sidemounts. In this series of Packards, at least in the sedans, I happen to think that a trunk gives the car a bit of a European look, which the judges at concours these days seem to think is the ultimate expression of automotive style.

    When it comes to tops up or down, I like a lot of Packards better with the top down - take the 734 line, which is really, really low and sleek in the runabout or phaeton with the top down, and less so with the top up. The convertible sedans and phaetons in the '30s turn into magnificent parade cars with the tops down, and the sport phaeton's racey second "cowl" and windshield is accentuated when the top is down. You seldom see them down possibly because the big tops are a lot to deal with, especially for one person, but I really like them best down, and I would have to say the roadsters and coupe roadsters look best to me top down too. I always thought that the Darrin convertible victorias looked awkward with the top up, like it was a necessary evil, and there should be a 10 point deduction for showing one with the top up, along with the Auburn speedster series and the Mercedes Benz special roadsters. I have advised two people at major concours to put their tops down for judging on "significant" cars - one didn't as he (on his restorer's advice) didn't want to wrinkle his top - he didn't place - another looked at me like I was crazy and came up with the same wrinkle excuse - I asked him if he would rather have a wrinkle free top or a first in class at Pebble. The next day the top was down and he was very happy.

    Jack

    in Packard - Buy/Sell

    Posted

    No, that is not the jack for a 21st series. I had a nice original 2106 club sedan for a few years and it had the original bumper type jack in the trunk still in a long triangular cardboard box with the part number on it. I probably still have a photo of it somewhere if you need it, or failing that I can tell you who owns the car now. Dave Mitchell packard12s@hotmail.com

    31 Bearings

    in Packard

    Posted

    If you ask 20 Packard guys this question, you will probably get 20 different answers. Everyone seems to have some magic formula. (Most are more trouble than they are worth, some only survive because the owner only drives the car on and off the trailer) In this case you are getting two similar answers - send them to Paul's Rod and Bearing. They have done 4 sets for me in the last year, and I can't even count the total number of sets for 8s, V12s and V16s that they have done for us. I have over 20,000 miles on one V12 that they did for me and I have never had a problem with them. You can tell them that I recommended them. I am not sure it will get you anywhere, but they are helping out one other person from the forum at my request.

    Are Egge pistons any good?

    in Packard

    Posted

    We tried them and sent them back - it is nice to have 8 or 12 the same size and weight. In this case you get what you pay for. If you use a high silicon forged aluminum piston you will pay more, but it you can fit it closer to specs. Newly manufactured steel strut pistons are very hard to find. If you search, you can find some NOS ones. I have several sets in oversizes for Packard 8s. Dave Mitchell packard12s@hotmail.com

    I don't get it!

    in Packard

    Posted

    Buying on eBay is a gamble. I used to buy a lot, and got burned several times and quit it a few years ago. Now I have been looking for some rare parts - and people have told me about some on eBay, so I look and bid. I know some people love eBay, but once again, I have been fooled. I buy parts that look great in the photos and sound perfect in the descriptions, from "reputable" people, and when the box arrives, it bears no resemblance to the description, and I can see that if you were really careful, you could take photos that conceal all the damage that makes the parts useless, which is what the seller did. Sometimes the seller doesn't really know that the "low mileage" carb he is selling as great is junk inside. But you are still stuck with it. There is no substitute to holding the part in your hand before you decide if you want it. People say that eBay is killing the swap meet, but not for me. The other odd eBay thing is that I will bid up fairly high on something, and don't get it, but the next day I am offered it for my high bid as a second chance, or it is relisted with a "buy it now" price of my high bid. That seems fishy to me.

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