6219_Rules

Hi! I have noticed a lack in the models of 1947 Cadillacs...they are all convertibles (with one exception in a sedanette made in England). Would you be interested in a 1947 Cadillac Series 62 Sedan (6269) in blue ? It would make a handsome model and I think, with detail on the interior (soft dove grey seats and wood grain on the dash andwindow sills and trim) it would be a hit! I can't help but plug my baby! I call him the Flying Dutchman.

Perhaps some of you could help my friend, Bob Bothwell, with this question : I have a '48 engine that I plan to replace the one in my '40 60s. I have been told by a fellow club member that the '40 bellhousing will not bolt up. I have no reason to doubt him, however, I am interested if anyone else has done this. Just need to know if I need to start looking for a later bellhousing. Thanks, Bob B.

The belly aching could be easily remedied were the editors of the Cormorant to apply a little pepto in the form of an official retraction and apology. Being a published author in a small newsletter, I would retract an article were it shown to be erroneous, immediately and published with an apology! Since this has not been done in the years since it was published, I think a little grousing is completely understandable. Trust is a very fragile thing and it has taken a major beating over this fairy tale. An insult to all faeries everywhere!!! sorry guys...I couldn't help myself. Ignore the man behind the curtain.....

B.H., I wanted to thank you specifically for your concise history of Avanti. I had no idea (part of the problem for Avanti I am sure) that they were still producing cars. I remember Avanti as a futuristic, interesting marque in the late 60s and early 70s but after that I don't recall much about them. I like the versions initially from the website you included but have never seen one on the road. Then again, I have never seen an EB110 either <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Independants in the auto industry are few and far between, and rarely ever make it past a few years. Nice to see that Avanti made a good attempt even with all of their issue. Sometimes I tired of the big 3. No wonder the Japanese have made such inroads when the only response the American auto makers could make is to reduce the number of choices, standardize the choices that were offered to be virtually identical and un-interesting, and cutting back on quality, but selling their new offerings as "top of the line' and the "best in years". Crap. But I digress... <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Now I remember the MAybach. I was looking at my favorite Mercedes not long ago, the 600 series limousine from the early 60s. What a GORGEOUS car!! I could NEVER afford one but it sure is a marvel to look at. Do you see many of these out in the circuit? I would like to see Packard come back too. So far the 'jelly bean' look still is a no go for me. Although I DO like the power plant in the Packard Motor Car website. Woof! We were just discussing this same topic on the CLC and came up with an idea for re-introducing the LaSalle. Make the lower end sporty models of Cadillac, the CTS and SRX, LaSalles, and the more elegant, and expensive models, Cadillacs. Eh...could we just leave the SUXs in their own group?? <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Perhaps Daimler-Chrysler could add Packard as their top of the line American offering. I realise Daimler has long been the choice of European royalty. It could work. Then again, with modernization of production, modularizing of parts and the reduction in models and marque choice to bolster the bottomline, I suppose this will never happen. Nice idea though. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

You know Hal...I just might look into it. I think it would be a blast. I doubt I could afford a plane but possibly an ultralight. Sell one of the cars etc.. hmmmm it does have an appeal. I'm no Casper Milktoast myself...it would have to have a pretty BIG engine to lift me off of the ground. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Tom, Bob and Wayne, this hobby will continue as all things do through time. There will always be interest in old cars. The proof is in the years you all attended and showed interest. Were it really sliding into obscurity, I think it would have died by now. Sure things may not be the same as current members remember it, that is the nature of time and change, but I really do not see it simply dying off. Just look at the faces of kids and adults when they see an old car tooling up the street...smiles, thumbs up or just wide open stares. Admittedly I know very little of the AACA or its members, traditions or history. I do know people and can make a reasonable hypothesis. I did not join just because I wanted to be an administrator..that I offered on my own. I joined because I love old cars and I think they represent as much a historical insight into our society and development as any historic building. They are ALL worth keeping.

A True Land Yacht!!! Oh My God! That is the biggest automotive obcenity yet produced!!! eh....what's the gas mileage on it???

Oh who needs safety!!! <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I have never actually flown in one but my parents had the opportunity to fly in an Albetross. What fun they had! Now an untra-light would be a lot of fun to learn to fly. I could probably do that...what do you think? Have you tried that, Hal?

Hal, you and me both. I like simplicity over complexity...esthetically clean and sound engineering are a far cry better, IMUIO, than overly complicated, over-engineered machines. "My tastes in planes ran to the early mono-planes and biplanes, the Jenny, the Tiger Moth and Albetross are a few of my favorites. I had hoped to learn to fly one someday. It is never too late...all it takes is money. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I just received mine and have to admit, the Kissel is a delight. Hopefully I will be able to see it in person sometime in the next year.

I did it with Ethyl back in the 60s when my brother was trying to get his Austin Healy started. Yummmy!!! <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I think this is as much fun as the car itself!!! I just bought the entire serviceman sets for the 72 eldo and the 77 eldo. I am looking for all of the 47's now too! <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

thank you so much for the information, Chuck. I will call today! It sounds like a lot of fun. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I have been looking into this further...and my son feels, with his experience, that we could learn to do it ourselves. Cost of the paint is going to be high since I want the original color. But I am not at all sure I want the original TYPE of paint. Can you or Jim tell me the differences, pros and cons to the enamel that is offered in comparison to the old lacquer? By the way, remember when I said my paint was Belton Poly? I was wrong. I went out and looked at the body tag (Yes I forgot the first rule in doing anything....RESEARCH!!! <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> ) and it turns out that my paint code is 2. Tad dah!!!! Eureka! Satori!! Antionette Blue! <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> "What an ultra maroon...what an embezzel..... what a gulla bull..." Bugs

Chuck, I was wandering through the CCCA site and started reading that incredible article under the Judge's Corner. I am curious as to how someone might get involved and what it would entail. I will probably order the manual to learn how to better prepare my car but I might like to look into the judging process. Perhaps others here might like a refresher on this topic if it has not been seen in a while. Thank you for your time and advice in this! <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

One of my high school teachers, a marvelous quiet man and artist by the name of George Duras, hid a history of sheer horror behind that gentle facade and life teaching young people to sculpt and throw clay pots. He was a Ranger in the trenches of Germany and served as a silent killer, going out on forays into the night to kill Germans with his bare hands, knife, garotte or what have you. I was one of his students who got inside his fences...he took me to his home town in Greece on a working class in art with the University of Pennsylvania...and I will never forget the deadness in his eyes when he told me late at night over Ouzo what he did. There was no real detail to it, and it was the last time he spoke of it, but I could tell he would take those memories to his grave without ever being free of them. So no matter how I might feel about the current administration or our cause, I support our fighting men and women whole heartedly. I never, ever want to be party of treating them as we as a nation treated our vets from Viet Nam. No one deserves to suffer as our fighting men and women do, and they certainly do not deserve to have it compounded by hatred and silence at home. Men like George deserve to be honored and remembered for the sacrifices they made...in some ways, as he said, it was a whole lot easier to die for your country and survive it. So I echo your sentiments...God Bless our men and women in the service. They deserve all we can give them and a whole lot more.

That is an excellent idea. I am planning on taking the '47 on its first National Driving Tour in 2004 with the CLC. Perhaps this would be another good chance to test him out on the roads. I will check on the cost factor on the CCCA website. It sounds like a blast.

Thank you so much for such a wonderful set of photos....that must have been a marvelous experience. I hope to take my first National Tour in 2004 here in Colorado. I can only hope it will be as much fun as what you reported!! <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

When I bought my Oldsmobile a year or so ago, it was in #2 condition with 84000 miles on the clock. The original owner had died and his wife, who loved the car (it was a beautiful blue 98 Holiday Coupe) refused to get rid of it. She would go out to the garage once a week, warm it up to operating temperature, back it out and then put it back in...and did that for years, with the appropriate maintenance. The engine and drive train were flawless after 5 years of that. The paint needed waxing but that was about it. I wonder if this is the best solution but given her limitations it preserved the car and allowed me to enjoy it for a year before it was totalled.

Honestly, I wish someone would resurrect this marque but again, aside for selling a few specialty cars like the Studebaker Blackhawk (now wasn't THAT an eyesore), I doubt it would make it in the current market. Perhaps were we to lobby a large automaker, like VW, it could be done. Daimler-Chrysler is an obvious choice, as is Ford Special Auto Group (or whatever it is called). Then we might see a small, sporty sedan or even a large luxury sedan. By the way, speaking of Studebaker, is this company still in business as Avanti? A friend asked and I simply did not have an answer.

I think my question would be, is this a serious attempt to produce a special market car with the Packard name and if so, what are its chances of coming to market? The reason I ask is because over the last ten years or so I have seen several attempts to bring a special market car into the general market from the Bugatti to a Packard and a good replica of the '48 Tucker. The Bugatti will see release and I know the Tucker is available (the only major difference in the car from what I read was the use of the Cadillac Northstar engine). The Packard I saw was a V-12 (I think) sedan which looked like most of the modern sedans with the Packard grill, a modified 50s grill, not the design from the 30s or early 40s. It reminded me of the Bentley GT model with a nose more remaniscent of the Hyundai Sonata, and rear styling that recalled the more recent Lincolns. Not a bad looking car really although I prefered the Bugatti sedan concept in styling. Neither struck me as something I would want to sink $400K + into but that is another matter. So what do you all think? Are these just dreams of the designer or is there something 'real' there that could conceivably go to market? And who would own it? I will try and find those sites again if anyone is interested. Thank you...I know I am not a PMC member or owner. I appreciate your indulgence. Addendum! Brian beat me to it!!! That was the car I remember. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Not off hand, JT, although I do remember reading in here somewhere that the author was still being treated well by the hierarchy. Still I suppose that could mean anything. I have read else where, on the CLC forum, this same story being put out as near gosple with the Cormorant being the unequivocal source. Someone had to buy it or at least accept it as a good story to pass it around, probably on faith though I do not know for certain.

I suspect, Chuck, that were the participant interested in awards, he or she would have thought of that on the question during restoration. I know I did, and chose usability and cost over authenticity, at least the strict application of it. My interior would lose me many many points. However, I would love to show it off because it is still all an original car (except for paint and interior) which is in very good running shape. Maybe someday ... Wouldn't it be fun to drive from Colorado to Florida in the '47 for the show??? It could happen! <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Gentlemen....here is my thought on the matter of lies and subterfuge in the media, including the publication you have been quoting. Remember, a lie is only effective if we accept it. We can only accept it if we do not question everything we read, hear or speak. I have been at fault as anyone else accepting what I see in print as truth. We will for the moment forego the obvious argument on the viability of ONE Truth...but in such matters that can be explained through historical endeavors there is a margin of accuracy to be had. While I cannot say for certain what Thomas Aquinas was thinking at any given time, I can with reasonable accuracy quote him on his thoughts as published. The Cormorant published an article that was a work of confabulation. The huckster given his rewards is living well on this account but will eventually fall. The key is that no one on this forum accepts this story as anything more than a story but there are those who unwittingly or with malice of forethought have accepted it and perpetuate it as historically accurate. They are the ones that should be decried, as are the people responsible for its being published. I cannot fault a man for accepting a fact as fact if he has researched it and finds that it passes some criteria. I DO find fault with a man (or woman) who accepts a fact as fact with no discernable critique or study. We all are responsible for our actions and beliefs. If you take something on faith, then more the fool you. Faith is left for religious conviction and ontological inquery...not for subjects such as history or subjects that can be readily supported with fact. Is it so hard to admit one has been fooled? I for one have admitted and accepted my responsibility in such moments...difficult yes, but better for you in the long run. As the old Scottish adage goes "Fool me once, shame on you...fool me twice, shame on me!" Just my thoughts on it. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />