Steve Brown

There used to be folks listed in Hemings that would restore old plates. Haven't looked in a while.

Well, the Clipper has silicone fluid so I don't worry about it. I always thought my daily driver - 36k in 24 mos - would stay hot enough to keep the moisture out of the system. If I ever do it I won't let the kids at the Quik Lube. I don't have ABS but I still don't want people who don't know what they are doing messing with something I need to stop my car in city traffic. So what's next, changing the power steering fluid? Who'd a thunk it.

This is off topic. The latest "service" they are pushing at my Mopar dealership and the Quik Lube at the corner is that you must change your brake fluid regularly. That's right. They say old dirty brake fluid "ruins" your brakes and you must pay them to change it with some goofy machine they've bought. I've driven cars into the dirt with the same brake fluid. What do you guys think? Is this just the latest version of undercoating and seat protector sprays?

The trunk panel on that 56 Exec looks a lot squarer than the trunk lid on my 55 Clipper. Was that the case with all the 56s or is it some trick of the photo. I never noticed before but seems apparent from that photo.

I'm sure this will stir some people up, but how about trying some Marvel Mystery Oil? I've always heard the old timers say it helps with vapor lock because it makes gasoline less volatile.

Craig: That's what I figured. As long as the rubber seals in the mechanical pump were fine I thought I'd be okay. Actually I use the electric pump to solve some vapor lock type problems I was having. I often turn it off when I'm driving and use to prime or when it gets hot and I get nervous about stalling. Of course if those seals in the old mechanical pump ever fail I'll be pumping a lot of gas in my crankcase. Randy knows about that with his 56.

I always assumed that Packard bought from different suppliers - Rochester/Carter, Delco/Autolite - just to keep the competition alive and parts prices lower. Does that sound right? Otherwise why not have everything by one supplier as it would be easier.

I had similar problems with my Carter, even after a rebuild. I eventually replaced the carb completely and at the same time added the electric fuel pump. At that point - about a year ago - the carb problems went away. So far so good.

Having thought on what I posted, I wonder if the Constellation had the Rochester because it had the larger V8. Does this sound right? The other Clippers - mine included - had the smaller engine, correct? So in that case would the Constellation have Delco instead of Autolite parts as well?

After making sure my mechanical fuel pump was good, I just mounted the electric pump in the rear and pump through the mechanical pump which seems to work fine. I do have a pressure regulator in the line however.

I thought all the 55 Clippers came with Carter carbs. I know the senior cars had Rochesters. Or did they mix them up? My Panama has a 4BL Carter.

depends on how big the fireplace.

I think the I-8 was a great engine and I wish it was in my 55. But I wouldn't want to put the "wrong" engine in my car unless there was a darn good reason, i.e. you had one sitting around and couldn't get your hands on the right one. Having said all that, if a great looking car that was otherwise complete fell in my lap I wouldn't let the "wrong" engine keep me from buying it.

I ran into a 54 at a car show a couple of years ago that had a complete 56 drive train in it. I thought that was better than using brand X.

Great seat color choice.

Looks great, Randy. Are you redoing the inside too?

I would email Peter Fitch before I tried any of that stuff and see what he says about whether it would work. Support@ultramaticdynamics.com

I've owned my 55 Panama Super Clipper for six years. I've only had to do general up keep. Worst so far on the pocket has been the brake job and finding a new carb because the old one was so messed up. All original except for the electric fuel pump in back.

From two websites: "A breakthrough came for convertibles in 1939 when Plymouth introduced the first convertible with a power top. It was activated by pneumatic cylinders, and removed a major inconvenience of open cars." "The 1939 Plymouth introduces the industry's first vacuum-powered convertible top. Chrysler announces "Superfinish:' a method of mirror-finishing engine and chassis parts to minimize friction. Another innovation this year is Chrysler's Fluid Drive semi-automatic transmission."

First production car with power top was 1939 Plymouth.

Chirco Packard in Tucson has them. Very pricey.

Went to a weekend concert at the symphony center to hear some big band music and other tunes from the '40s. To add to the "atmosphere" they had two restored Packards parked at the entry to symphony hall - a black '48 sedan and a yellow '41 convertible. Needless to say I enjoyed talking with the guys who owned the cars as much as the show. And both cars were mobbed by the audience who wanted to see every inch of them. Amazing how a couple of old Packards can bring smiles to so many faces.

I like your new photo, Randy.

When the guy that buys that winds up being the next Bill Gates we'll all be crying.

Isn't there some way you could "plug" it rather than disconnect? Just a thought. Probably a wrong one.