Ed Miller

The Orange Blossom Tour is still on. The earliest car signed up for the tour is a 1912 Cadillac.

Bill, you are correct, the Marmon is Steve Wolf's car. In 1932 a total of 9 Cadillacs of all styles were sold throughout New Mexico, including mine. We must have talked before. There is a local VMCCA Tour the week immediately preceding the Orange Blossom Tour along the east coast of Florida. I intend on attending both Tours. It's a great way to spend a two week vacation. Do you know of any other people who will be on the Tour?

Bill, I'm about 220 miles south in Naples. I get a nose bleed every time I go to Mount Dora. What body style Buick will you be touring in? The only other fellow I know who will be there will be touring in a 1930 Marmon Big Eight Sedan.

October 24 through October 28, 2005 is the Orange Blossom Nickel Tour of Central Florida open to 1934 and earlier cars. It's a hub tour out of Mount Dora. I'm taking my 1932 Cadillac V8 All Weather Phaeton. Is anyone else planning to come along? I've toured that area several times before and found that it's perfect for our vintage automobiles. Quiet rural hilly roads are plentiful. The hotel is over 100 hundred years old and even the food is excellant!

I have never run into a 1932 Packard without synchromesh in the top two gears. All writers agree that in early 1932 Packard used a four speed transmission. Some say it was the same as the previous year, i.e.: no synchromesh. Others say it had synchromesh. The fourth gear is useless it's lower than first gear. The answer to your question is yes. If there is such a thing as a 903 without synchromesh you will not like it if you intend to drive the car. By the way, Packard paid General Motors $1.25 royalty per transmission to use their patented synchromesh system.

I own a 1933 Twelve Convertible Sedan. I have driven and ridden in several '32 through '34 Eights, Super Eights and Twelves. For driving, the Twelve is superior in smoothness (make that silky smooth) and acceleration. Also you can drive your Packard and still maintain it in perfect condition if you are willing to spend the time, effort and money to do so. Packards built prior to 1932 are not fun to drive. You will find that almost all have terrible transmissions that take forever to shift and when you do shift it's at slow speeds. This means no acceleration. The Twelve can easily be shifted from 1st to 2nd at 35MPH and 2nd to 3rd at 50MPH almost as quickly as a modern vehicle. Also, beware, most sellers claim they're car is perfect when it may only be cosmeticly restored. Most "trailer queens" cannot be driven safely. A Packard has excellant brakes and is easy to handle. Good luck in your quest.

I drive my 1932 Cadillac V8 All Weather Phaeton about four thousand miles a year. Although 7.00 x 17 is original equipment, not all current 7.00 x 17 tires have an adequate load rating for my Cadillac (dry weight is 5,170 add gas, oil, lubricants and five passengers the weight can go up to 6,200 lbs!) I am currently using Denman 7.50 x 17 tires. The only problem is they give a louder and firmer ride than comparable Lester Tires. I have Lester 7.50 x 17 tires on my 1933 Packard Twelve and there is a noticable differance. I have no experiance with Bedford tires. I hope this helps you, good luck.

An overdrive is inexpensive ($1,175)and it does not effect the use of your gear shift. I installed one in my 1932 Cadillac and it works wonders for the performance of the vehicle. I also have a Packard but it doesn't need an overdrive. I have a high speed rearend in my 1933 Packard. It is much more expensive and not as versitile as the overdrive in the Cadillac. If you want to know more about overdrive let me know.

I've had a 1933 Packard for 15 years. I have never seen anything but green...sorry. I've seen at least one hundred Packard engine compartments. But it it doesn't look bad at all when everything is restored.

It seems that every time I show my Packard someone asks me if I'm the original owner. I'm only 56 years old; my Packard is 72 years old!

I had an Borg Warner R10 overdrive installed on my 1932 Cadillac V8. It can now cruise at speeds up to 80 MPH. The price is extremely reasonable...$1,175. Let me know if you want more information. By the way I run into several other Model As that have the same overdrive unit.

I'm leaving for Troy, New York tomorrow morning and will return Monday evening. I'm bringing my long johns. My cars are staying here where it's relatively warm.

Greetings Jack from down south in Naples.

Matt, Naples - Marco region is as active as ever. I've only made it to Perkins one Saturday morning. I usually work several hours on Saturday morning.

Sixty six, I live on the north end of town...Pine Ridge Subdivision. What kind of cars interest you? My interest is pre WWII, primarily Full Classics.

Naples, Florida, here.

I have lived in Naples for the last 30 years. Give me a call and I'll let you know where you go to see what you want to see. Home: 239-597-8965; Office 239-775-2000...tell the secretary it concerns old cars and you'll get through to me immediately. To give you an idea of what is in the little hamlet on the Gulf: 4 Duesenberg model Js, 2 Packard Twelves, 2 Marmon Sixteens, a bunch of other Packards, Pierce Arrows, Cadillacs and Auburns, etc.

Scott, there is only one state that will make you happy. There are no inspections, even for modern cars. The weather is perfect eight months of the year. The other four months are hot and wet which means you drive in the morninng and early evening. It's also the land of the alligator, viz.: FLORIDA!!! Postscript: Your Packard has four wheel brakes, not two.

Packin, I thought my car was maroon and silver, but red is close enough. Too bad we didn't meet. At least we were in the garage together when it rained..we just didn't know it.

Packin31: To Kaiser told me you were at the meet but I missed you and your brother. I arrived at 9:45 A.M. I had the 1933 Packard Twelve Convertible Sedan. when did you leave...9:44 A.M.?

Jack, the overdrive unit was not getting proper lubrication. I had it rebuilt and the Cadillac running in about 9 days. It's unfortunate you weren't able to make it to the Florida Packard Club meet. There were two Twelves present this year. Also, an unusual Packard to see today...a 1934 Packard Eight Coupe. It's one of the few that hasn't had its hardtop chopped off to convert the Packard to a convertible. There were 30+ Packards and a little bit of rain. Also your son prepared some good hamburgers and hot dogs.

See everyone tomorrow!

Pack53: Gee, thanks for reminding me not to take the Cadillac. I will immediately remove it from the trailer and replace it with my Packard...And I don't even suffer from Alzheimer's disease.

I've attended what I believe is every meet. Cars start arriving around 8:30. I will probably be the on of the last to arrive at 10:00 A.M. or later.

I own a 1932 Cadillac V8 All Weather Phaeton. The gasoline gauge to the right is a 1932-33 Cadillac gauge. The other one may be a 1934-5 Cadillac gauge.