Ed Miller

tbirdman, it sounds like you have an early Twin Six instrument panel. By the way my Packards are of 1933 and 1934 vintage. It was tough enough discerning the correct instrument panel colors for those two.

Werner Gubitz designed the Series 900 Light Eight.

I have seen a Light Eight with a woodgrain painted instrument panel, but I don't believe that is correct. I don't remember for certain what is the correct finish.

tbirdman, a Deluxe Eight has a painted woodgrain over metal dashboard.The instrument panel is painted a very dark color which I believe is black. Chrome is incorrect but looks good. Also the woodgrain above the dashboard was painted over metal except for those who chose wood which was used on Twelves in 1933 and 1934 and I believe 1932 also. Packard used a differant Dashboard for each of its models. The Light Eight has the oval instrument panel and glove boxes with no surround. The Standard Eight may be identical to the Deluxe Eight. The Custom Eight is identical to the Twelves. The Twelve instrument panel came in two versions, an early and a late. i hope this helps you.

Is your 1932 Packard a Light Eight, Standard Eight, Deluxe Eight or Custom Eight? Also the center board is called the instrument panel; the entire board is called the dashboard.

Gee, when I married I only acquired more relatives for me to help support...I hope my wife doesn't read this.

Does that guy really have his foot on the bumper?

There are few collectors who do not appreciate an undisturbed original car. However a problem is developing. As HPOF vehicles gain more recognition there is more fraud/ignorance in claims made that a car is original. I know of one 1933 Packard that the owner, either through ignorance or fraud claims has less than 20,000 miles. It is obviously a 1950s style shade tree resotoration as parts of the car are on upside down, from three differant years and the body has more waves in it than a flag during a hurricane.

Durant28, I live way down south in Naples, Florida. My upholsterer is great but only does work for me and a few others as he is now retired. However, I have heard nothing but good reports regarding Don Summerlin in the Sarasota, Florida area. His telephone number is 941-926-2604. I am planning to use his services when my upholsterer finally says enough is enough.

Thank you for the suggestion. I talked to Paul yesterday. Unfortunately for me he deals in later Cadillacs.

I will also miss Charlie. He was my number one source for parts for my 1932 Cadillac V8 AWP and nice fellow to talk about old Cadillacs. Fortunately I need nothing for my Cadillac. I believe it is now acceptable for you to call his widow and ask about whom to call for parts. There probably is someone who has taken over his inventory...at least I hope so. Good luck.

Tbridman, whether you have a 1932 three or four speed, the synchromesh is only on the top two gears. Installing a 1936 transmission will not give you a synchronized first gear. Be patient and find the correct transmission for your Packard. They are out there and you will find one if you look in the right place, such as join the CCCA and the Packard Clubs. Alternatively, don't swap but put another year in and keep the original for the day you want to sell. Not having the correct transmission will affect the vehicle's value. By the way, either the three speed or four speed should be quite pleasant. With your four speed always start in second (low) and not first (low-low). I have a 1933 and a 1934 Packard. Both transmissions a more than satisfactory if they are set up properly.

aPackard53, you should have received your copy by now as I just received mine down here in Sweatbucket, Florida this morning.

ex-President of the CCCA, Gene Perkins is the fellow you are looking for. He is listed in the CCCA Handbook and Members Roster in Indiana. Caveat: modern tires probably will not fit in the metal tire cover without partially deflating and/or using 7:00x17 tires rather than 7:50x17 tires.

I have owned a 1932 Cadillac V8 All Weather Phaeton for five years. I have been able to find every part I have needed. If you have trouble finding a particular part, don't hesitate to ask me and I will give you the names and addresses of the various vendors. Also, consider joining the Classic Car Club of America (CCCA). Not only will you find other vendors through your membership but also the camaraderie of others who own similiar Classics as your Cadillac.

I have driven my 1932 Cadillac V8 All Weather Phaeton about 10,000 miles in the last four years. Although my Cadillac is rated for 115 HP rather than 95 HP for a 1930 model, the weight to horsepower ratio is 44 pounds to each horse power (44 to 1). A 1930 Convertible Coupe is 51 to 1. That is not a very great differance. Also I have ridden in several 1930 and 1931 V8 Cadillacs and driven a couple. They all cruise at about 55 to 60 MPH if properly set up and maintained. If you want a higher cruising speed without losing acceleration, you will need to install an overdrive unit.

Lloyd Young (614-837-7832) sells Borg Warner R-10 units. I bought my unit for my 1932 Cadillac about three years ago from him. I'm very satisfied with its performance. By the way I have driven past your home in my Cadillac as recently as last April while on tour between Jacksonville and Mount Dora.

I just sent you an e-mail regarding the battery box cover.

Good luck Mike on your quest for 1932 Cadillac AWP parts. Have you tried the two fellows I suggested, viz.: Selick and Shappy? Ed Miller

Live and learn! Scott, the information I have is that the Mitchell overdrive unit requires "a mechanical shifter." I was on tour last month in central Florida. One of the Ford Model As had a Mitchell unit with the shifter not a push pull cable. Also, I have the 2005 price list for the Mitchell unit at $2,020. I was not aware that the Mitchell unit was noisey. Could it be you have a defective unit or is this a problem common to the Mitchell Unit? Also, I didn't realized you can order differant ratios. By the way I have a rebuilt Borg Warner unit in my Cadillac. I agree with you regarding the installation of the high speed rearend. It is not a job for the novice. I have one in my Packard Twelve and it has never given me a problem. On the other hand the Borg Warner unit is simply a bolt on affair for which no expertise is necessary.

I was informed of Jack's demise yesterday. I knew him through the Florida Packard Club. We'll miss him.

Mitchell manufacturing make a new OD. But it requires a second gear shift which would look very out of character for your Packard. Your Packard had a standard 4.41:1 rearend but you could have order any of the following 4.07:1 (some sources say 4.06:1), 4.69:1 or 5.07:1. Theoretical top speed with each rearend: 5.07 - 81.33 MPH, 4.69 - 87.91 MPH, 4.41 - 93.50 MPH and 4.07 - 101.31 MPH. Expect a 0 to sixty of 20 seconds, a cruising speed of 55-60 MPH, with a high speed rearend 60-65 MPH, and a top speed of 85 MPH.

I have a high speed rearend (4.06:1)in my 1933 Packard Twelve. Also, I have a Borg Warner overdrive unit in my 1932 Cadillac V8. Both work wonders. It depends on what you want your car to do and what your car is capable of. Currently there is only one high speed rearend available from Phil Bray. It's excellant. You may be able to find some others that are no longer being made with ratios of 3.54:1 and 3.70:1. You didn't mention what body style, weight and current rearend is in your Packard. Generally if it's an open or convertible you probably have the standard 4.41:1 rearend. This means that there will be an 8% differance in speed vis a vis RPM. Put another way it will increase your cruising speed by about 5 MPH. If you have a 4.6:1 rearend the differance will be more dramatic. There should be a slight lose of acceleration. I haven't been able to notice any lose however. The last time I check (10 years ago) the price was about $2,700 plus the cost of installation. You Packard can handle this rearend with no problem. In fact it was an option in 1932. Alternatively you could opt for overdrive. They cost anywhere from $1,175 to $8,000! The problem with some are you will have an extra gear shift! The type I have does not have the extra gear shift but a toggle switch and a push-pull cable with handle. With overdrive you don't lose any acceleration but effectively have a fourth gear which reduces your engine speed by 30% rather than 8%. My Cadillac handles this reduction with ease. Your Packard has much more power and less weight. As an example my Cadillac without overdrive cruises at no more thatn 55 MPH and has a top speed of 76 MPH. With the Borg Warner overdrive it can cruise at 75 MPH indefinately. Also it costs less that the high speed rearend, $1,175. And it is easier to install. The choice is yours. You can't lose whichever way you go.

Gas mileage? I measure fuel consumption for my 1933 Packard Twelve in yardage. She goes about 10,500 yards per gallon (or about 6 1/2 miles to the gallon). 10,500 yards sounds a lot better.

The three contacts are positioned differantly but Bruce Blevins' bulbs do the job.