6219_Rules

Wow and I thought you guys were all getting along after the long thread on lowering the car, Packard55, the whole point of clubs like the AACA and Packard Club is the preservation of the cars that remain. That does not mean modifying is bad but it runs contrary to the goals of these clubs. You knew this the moment you logged on...if not you should have...and you knew how these people feel about the Packard marque. I am a little at a loss as to why you take umbrage towards their obvious reactions. To each his own. I prefer to see my car as something I am custodian of rather than an owner of...but that is me. At any rate, a Packard like the one on eBay are not well known commodities, so it will not sell quickly and those who know the marque will be less likely to want to spend that kind of money knowing they will have to try and return it to original shape. Modify yours as you like and it will become an expression of you, but it will not be a Packard, simply another 50s car with a Packard badge. But do not expect collectors and enthusiasts to accept it. THat is just silly. That is my .02 centavos worth.

Hi Packard8, Thanks for the good response. Of course you are totally correct about the engine. Reliability is mostly dependant on how the engine is kept. I have found my 47's flathead V-8 is very reliable as long as you maintain it properly. And I would turn my nose up at a 47 sedan with a Pontiac V-8 and TH100 tranny. Why? Because if I wanted a modern car that looked like a 47, then I would do that, but I do not...I wanted a 1947 car. So yes I see why the CLIPPER coupe would be less desirable with a new small block chebby. As for the low numbers of coupes, that does not surprise me. The 47 series 62 and 61 coupes are highly prized over the lowly sedan. I have an Eldorado and love it but in all honesty prefer the sedans. Personally I liked the Packard coupe. But I would also like to see it restored to original if possible. Here is an instance of the misuse of the word 'restore' verses 'rebuild' *( please dont shoot me...I know this is a PHartmann issue but I think in this case he was right). The car was rebuilt to be used not restored. It is an excellent candidate for a project restoration since it does run and is in good condition. I would think it would be a good candidate for someone who is in the hobby but who has yet to get that special car. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Thanks again for your response.

I saw that eBay Packard, and thought it was a nice car. I cannot imagine why a engine swap should make it unsellable. Basically, I feel the original is far better just on principle but if the engine and tranny were kept, then it could be restored. Now I do have a question (and I do not mean it to sound derogatory) about the Clipper brand. Was it the low end model? It seems to me that it was pretty plain and uninspiring. The seats are monotone (yes I know they are worn) and it seemed kind of blah. What made this car special? Performance? Quality value? I thought they were supposed to be more unique and special. Anyone care to address this? I admit this is just my ignorance of the marque so please do not take it the wrong way. As for Packard55, I do not see what he might have said here or in the past that would ruffle feathers this way. Just curious...as a former administrator I am pretty keen on offenders so I wanted to ask.

That is for certain, Frank. My Dad told me that when spring rolled around, the first thing they did in Minnesota was wash, and wax the car. Then it was time to clean and repaint the white walls!!! It took all day, usually on a Saturday. That was in 1940. I clean mine once a week...I just do not like a dirty car. Its something of a thing with me...like wearing clean undies.

Hi Peter, Well as with all things its in the buyers perview. However, go to one of the Buy/Sell forums on here and look the general value up using the NADA site..there are one or two others as well. Then check eBay...see what people are asking for 1978 Coupe de Villes. Also pickup a copy of Hemmings News and see what they are going for in their sales area. That should give you a starting point. Good luck.

I use Simple Green and a soft tire brush. Then wash it off with the hose or power washer at the car wash. Works beautifully and its bio-degradable too!

Hi Glenn, Have you checked on eBay? Be careful how you word your search. I have found many items on there for my cars. Also, pickup a copy of Hemmings News. Or go to their website (I hate their search engine though). Another idea is to just shot gun the search and use a search engine like Google to look for 1977 Buick Electra Interiors. You never know what you might find. Hope that helps! Good luck.

thank you, JT. I will look into it right away.

OK folks...more pictures have been posted. Go to My '56 Caddy

Albert, could you do this with the Sneaky Pete on a 1947 Cadillac? I have a leaking rear main and would LOVE to get it cleaned up but cannot afford the money to have the engine lowered.

Thank you for your input, Steve. My frustration is abating a bit. I need a cold shower. Pax vobis cum.

Do you all find that this is true with the gel type batteries, like the Optima? I have been using a 6 volt for the last 3 years, brutally as my electrical system was being restored. It has been drained and recharged countless times, and now that everything is working normally, the battery is preforming fine. What do you think?

I agree with Kuhner, et al. Have your original Delco rebuilt. While my car is post-war, I had mine done for the '47 Cadillac from Dan Steele in California. He reworked the original tubes, installed a small motherboard, and FM modulator. Additionally he installed an RCA jack for a portable CD or iPod. This also works for a multi-disk changer hidden in the trunk, if you so desire. I had the speaker replaced. The radio gets AM/FM and works great with my iPod or CD player. I left it a mono-speaker system for originality and find it is perfectly adequate. BTW - I kept the car on a 6 volt negative ground system. Good luck!

Baeutiful car, Al! Duke Jr. will be a marvelous addition to the classics (note small non-registered 'c' thus denoting a general use of the term rather than the accepted formal use of the term in this venue.) on the road! Bravo! And congratulations. I wish there were more Packards in my area. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Hi everyone, I just purchased a whole set of stop lights and turn signal bulbs that are 6 volt halogens from the taillightking. I sent a note to AJ yesterday morning early to get the shipping amount and to ask if any modifications would be required. To my pleasure, he responded immediately. No mods and the shipping was minimal. I should be getting the bulbs in a day or two. I will let you all know how they work on the '47.

For Sale in the Denver Area : a solid 1964 Cadillac Sedan, most likely series 62 (no badging). Original light blue metallic paint (new), new interior - rebuilt engine with 3500 miles on it. Originally from Oregon. New brake booster, rear shocks, exhaust. If interested, call : 303-898-8773 303-383-1577 One dent in driver side after paint job. Asking $10,000 Beautiful car. Saw it on the street so did not get the man's name. Runs nicely and seems to have alot of the options....A/C ?, power windows with after market stereo were visiable Tell him Jonathan and Randall McGrew posted this for him.

Hi 53, good car to have as a first. You can find the manuals you are looking for on eBay. Through that source, you will also find a series of contacts in documentation. I have found everything I have needed, both original and reproduced, there. Good luck.

geez I wish I had! I need a good nest egg to redo my '56 Caddy. Of course you could always sell one of your other cars...that's what people tell me. I just don't know if I can part with the '47. Hmmm. Are you shooting for a show car or a driver? Just curious. I figure, if all goes well, I could get the '56 back on the road for about 8K. I just want it as a driver to go to shows and such. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

What a beautiful car. I love the colors...and the hood scoops. A really nice example. So you haven't had it out on the road yet? Thanks for the picture! Sorry it was a problem...I have had several problems loading pictures to the website too.

Oh well! My Eldo is a 1977, a Biarritz, and the first year of the return of the package after the convertible was dropped in 1976. You can see it in the Photo Post area at My Eldorado Its sovriegn gold with saddle tan interior, with most of the available options like split bench power seat with power recliner, climate control, twilight sentinal and Auto Dimmer, Wonderbarr radio, power trunk release..etc. It is a beautiful car, and great to drive. All that for less than two grand!

There is a Caribbean here in Longmont that runs about now and then...a beautiful car in blue with white interior. Very nice car. I love convertibles although I prefer sedans, yeah I know...how boring, even over my Eldo. Had a ball driving the '47 yesterday, even in the rain! Do you have a link to pictures of your Caribbean? I would love to see it. Thank you.

Hi voodoo....for the best answer and quickest response, I would suggest you go to your CLC registry and contact Walter Brewer in the Denver area. He has rebuilt many a 346 and has written a serialized article on rebuilding the motor. I have used Kanter and had no trouble with their parts, but not in rebuilding an engine. Another source to try is Coopers Vintage Auto. They are online at Coopers The costs you have quoted seem reasonable. The quote given me for my '47 flathead was $3200 to pull, rebuild and install. That included paint, etc.. Hope that helps.

Yes, that is right! The A/C system is loaded in the trunk. Fresh air is pulled in through small side vents, run through the evaporator and then the cooled (frigid actually) air is passed up through those plastic pipes into the vents that run along side the edges of the roof. There are vents with round jets above each door. The cold falls down on top of you. Its wonderful!! The cool air is recirculated through the cabin and is sucked in through vents under the rear seat back into the rear compartment evaporator again. Its pretty cool. There are two blowers, one on either side, to move the air. I've always liked the way those tubes looked. I will put more photos up as I get them. Thanks for the interest. Its nice to share our little joys with friends.