WCraigH

Not a movie, but on TV on your local PBS station, "A Program About Unusual Buildings & Other Roadside Stuff" features among other buildings, a 52ft white milk bottle attached to an ice cream store in New Bedford, Mass. Parked in front is a beautiful black & white 1955 Clipper Panama (or maybe Constellation). This was about a 5 minute segment and the Clipper was featured in many shots. Also in the parking lot was an early 50s Hudson. The show itself is worth watching too! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I've had no effective results removing the water stains on the headliner of my 55 Pat. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> Heelmarks in the headliner, on the other hand... are a badge of honor, so to speak. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">(snip)or maybe even a completed olds pump conversion adapter????? (snip)</div></div> KevinAZ's 352 from his 400 is now in Las Vegas at Paul's getting ready for the Olds HD oil pump conversion among other things. I'll keep you guys informed. <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Go for a 1/5th of Glenlivet or Smirnoff 100. </div></div> Glenlivet would be my choice! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Well, the Aussie guy with the 55 Chebbie V-12 Merlin had a vehicle that looked like a 55 Chebbie...until you took the front clip off! Just a bizarre idea, but don't expect anymore speculation from me. I've got too many other irons in the fire.

If some guy in Australia can shoehorn a Merlin V-12 in to a 55 Chebbie, then some American should be able to shoehorn a Packard PT V-12 into a 55-56 Packard. 1500HP pushing about 7000lbs should go like hell in a straight line! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Of course, you'd probably have to sit in the back seat to drive it. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Why would you want air shocks? Isn't your T-L working? <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Rick, Hey, I used to own a 1972 Eldorado, so I'm very familiar with the handling of a Cadillac. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> Gunboats in a gale actually handle better. I think I'll stick with the Firebird Trans Am as a model.

Well, I happen to have a couple of Firebirds, but not a Cadillac, so... <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Keith, there's a LOT of work to do to figure out the "best" setup. I'm only usinging the Gen-2 Firebird as a starting point. The Packard T-L is quite different from the Firebird in terms of roll center, center of gravity, mass, roll inertia, etc., but not completely out of the ball park. If you have happy with the handling of your 56 Exec, then don't mess with it. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Interesting you should ask this question at this time. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> Adding heavier sway bars to a T-L Packard for better cornering prowess is a project that we've been talking about recently on Eric's Packard Engineering chat. I've done some preliminary measuring and engineering assessment which I'll share here. The stock T-L front anti-sway bar (gp 13.113, called a "stabilizer rod" by Packard) is 3/4in diameter. For reference, see plate 31G in the parts book. It mounts to each front frame rail at an effective bushing retention width of 33-1/2in between the bushings. The bar ends are attached directly to the front lower control arms with a rubber bushing and C-clip at an effective width of 44-1/2in, 9in behind the front bushing pivot center. There is no rear anit-sway bar or equivalent. The rear reversed Watts link assembly (Packard calls it a "rear stabilizer" assy) just keeps the rear axle centrally located. See Plate 32B in the parts book and 3rd picture down here.. Because of the central pivot, there's no anti-sway effect. Also, because the rear support arms (gp 15.991) are mounted in rubber bushings, they do not provide much anti-sway resistance either. As a guide for bar sizing and fitment possibilities, I first checked the Gen-2 (1970-81) Pontiac Firebird, particularly the Trans Am. Since I have a couple of these cars, I took measurements and eyeballed the attachment. The front anti-sway bar from a Trans Am is either 1-1/8in or 1-1/4in diameter. These are 5 and 7 times stiffer in twist than a 3/4in bar (varies to the 4th power of diameter). On the Firebird, the effective retention width between the bushings is 33in and the bushing retainers could easily be bolted to the Packard front frame rails by just drilling some new holes. The bar ends could be attached to the lower control arms by a link assembly (exactly length TBD). The top would be OEM style and the bottom would be some sort of extension flange bolted or welded to the control arm. When fitted with a front bar as thick as the Firebird's, a rear anti-sway bar becomes mandatory for balanced handling. The Gen-2 Trans Am Firebird used a 3/4in or 7/8in diameter rear anti-sway. It's shape and fitment design does not appear to be easily adaptable to the Packard rear suspension. However, a U-shaped anti-sway bar like used on some recent SUVs appears to be a good possibility. I need to do more exploration and evaluation. This is not a high priority project for me, but when I start tackling chassis related work on my Panther with the body off, it will be included. I'm not planning on doing any work on my Patrician other than measurements, but I may retrofit the same setup to it once all the details are worked out on my Panther. You or anybody else is welcome to participate in Eric's P.E. chat to talk further about this interesting project. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Anyone else have this problem?????? See pic. </div></div> Keith: since you have the door panel off, why can't you just remove the trim piece and glue the material back in place? <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

I hope the wife likes RED! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> Great job! It'll knock the socks off everybody! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

re: moderated: fine by me.

Fortunately, Winter is rather benign here in southern Nevada, so after I finish my Firebird project in a few months, I plan to restart work on my Panther. First on the list is to remove the front & rear windshields, then the body from the frame. Specifically, new brake & larger fuel lines on the frame and start of sheetmetal work on the body. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I didn't find any such paper in my Panther nee 56 Clipper 2drHT when I removed the headliner. Of course, it was pretty tore up, so that paper may have fallen out.

Lots of beautiful Packards! Thanks for posting the pics. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Any pictures you can post? <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">(snip) What has the Packard community used? </div></div> Steele Rubber. Paul went thru this less than a year ago. Even it does not fit correctly. See Paul's Project, windshield fit <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Also?does anyone have tips for pulling the glass for the front and rear? </div></div> Have a professional do it or you will be buying a windshield too! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> The cheapest "solution" would be to get some windshield weatherstrip repair "goop" in a tube from JC Whitney. I've never used it, but it would be worth a try. Look in JCW's catalog.

Paul's Debut Party pics are now on my website! [color:"red"] You may have to click REFRESH on your browser to see the new pages Click on <span style="font-weight: bold">Paul's 1956 Packard Executive Project</span> on the top of the index (first) page. Then click on <span style="font-style: italic">Updated</span><span style="font-weight: bold">September 11, 2005</span>. [color:"blue"] OR click here. Enjoy! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Post deleted by WCraigH

Post deleted by WCraigH

Here's a future Packard owner from today's debut & barbecue:

Today, I and many friends of Paul Cornwell in Las Vegas had the pleasure of attending the debut and barbecue celebration of his 1956 Executive restoration and enhancement project. Here's the very happy owner with his new pride and joy: Thanks to his wife Sue Ann, notice the red carpet. There was also a yellow ribbon afixed across the garage door and cut just prior to Paul driving his newly restored Exec out in to the sunlight. Many more pictures of his fabulous Packard will be available by sunday night (tomorrow) on my website! BTW, the barbecue was yummy! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

The show Carography on FINE channel the other night was about "Woodies". Beside the typical Fords and Chryslers, etc., they showed in passing what appeared to be a 1941 180 Packard Woodie and had about a 1 minute segment on a beautiful, freshly restored (A/O 2002) 1948 Packard "Woodie" owned by Tom Harris. He described it as a "sedan wagon". Wow, what a beautiful car! Anybody know year and number production on Packard "Woodies"? If one could find a "barn" example, it would certainly be worth restoring, given how hot woodies are today in the marketplace.

Tim, See Turbopackman's new solution: Post 322600 and onward