Ed Miller

The Pfau book is good but it does have quite a few errors.

I owned a 1956 Continental MkII from 1988 to 2000. Except for the first four thousand of a total 44,000 miles, they were shod with radials. I never had any problem with them, not even a flat tire. Of course the ride was significantly improved.

Jack Harlin thank you for the lead on 7.50x17 radial tires. However, I don't see any listing in the Lucas ad in Hemmings. I'll give them a call tomorrow. (This is too good to be true.)

Peter H: I agree that radials are much better than bias plys. But where can I find 7:50x17 radials???

"Insecure?" Buickplus, you believe I feel insecure and that's the reason I don't want none luxury cars in the CCCA? I have and had quite a few cars that are Classics and non-Classics, but I prefer the Classics, as defined by the CCCA. I don't care to see a row of small T-Birds at a CCCA meet. And I used to own one and enjoyed it. Nor do I want to see a Continental MkII, which I also owned. Ad infinitum. I am interested in Pre War luxury cars. Call Mustangs and Plymouths and one off 1950's Packards Classics if that makes you happy. But I am not interested in those eras and quality of car (for example a 1930 Ford Model A). Therefore I belong to a Club that is about pre war luxury cars. You have your clubs for the other cars. Why do you and others whine and complain that CCCA doesn't accept these cars is beyond me. You have plenty of clubs to cater to your interests. But there is only one Club that caters to pre luxury cars...The CCCA. Insecurity, I guess you're right. If you and others do to the CCCA what you want, there will be no club that deals exclusively with the cars I care most about. That does concern me. And no, I am not interested in being in a field or on a tour with 300 non Classics and 3 or 4 Classics.

Well said, JDLEE.

Solution: Start a new car club. For those who want snob appeal call it the Super Classic Car Club of the Universe. For those who want not merely luxury cars but bread and butter cars you'll be able to rub elbows with those possessing the cars you crave for. As to those with late model cars that have nothing to do with the '20s and '30s will be able to once and for all have your place in the sun. Post script: Allow hot rods and modifieds. They truly crave to be legitimized. Now go away and let those who enjoy pre war luxury cars their small niche called CCCA...or join us, even if you don't own one.

Try Charles Selick, he has been a great parts asset for my 1932 Cadillac.

VMG, I spent eight years restoring my 1933 Packard. Every original photograph shows the wiper arms facing outward. The next question you may have is: does the half moon shape portion of the wiper motor face up or down?

It will be a few years before I start looking for a third Classic. I'm still running in the 1932 Cadillac. When I do start looking the Cord will be on my list...and so will an Auburn and a Packard.

Peter, The answer is that the Russians went over to 111 Pushkin Street in Leningrad for their Packard Parts. Andrei Rasputinovich was a long time Packard Dealer. It's rumored he salted away two Packard Darrins in the basement of the dealership just after Germany attacked Russia in June, 1941. Unfortunately the dealership was bombed and a tank factory built over the ruins but the parts survived in the dealership's parts depot next door. Noone has been able to get into the basement to this day. (For anyone who believes this tale, I also have bridge for sale.)

I can confirm some of what Peter has said. I have a 1934 Packard Twelve Convertible Sedan. I have compared it to other 1932 through 1934 Packard Convertible Sedans, Eights, Super Eights and Twelves. The bodies are identical except for hood length and accouterments (such as: headlamps,divider windows, etc.). They were designed by Ray Dietrich prior to him leaving Dietrich Inc. in 1931 and built either by Dietrich, Inc. or Murray. The same applies to the Convertible Victories of this period.

The problem with the '36 Cord was: 1. No '36 Cord was Supercharged and 2. The none Supercharged engine (FB)looked like the Supercharged engine (FC) but internally was differant enough that the FB doesn't run correctly when a supercharged is attached to it. There will be a CCCA Caravan through the Finger Lakes area of upstate New York next summer. I'm toying with the idea of putting my '32 Cadillac on the Amtrak auto train (if its still in business), getting off in Virginia, driving up to Schenectedy. There my wife and I will pick up my kid sister and her husband and go Caravaning.

Have you ever noticed it's the hot rodder who wants to be recognized by the clubs who cherish authenticity?

Shawn, I envy you. I have yet to participate in a Caravan. I hope to do so next summer. At this time last year I was looking for my second Classic and came within a hair's breadth of purchasing a 1937 Cord Supercharged Phaeton. Unfortunately, it turned out to be a 1936 Cord Phaeton with a Supercharger added. Not quite authentic enough for my taste. Another automobile I considered was a 1935 and 1936 Auburn Supercharged Boattailed Speedster and the Phaeton. I couldn't find one that was acceptable. I finally wound up acquiring a 1932 Cadillac V8 All Weather Phaeton. I'm very satified with her. Maybe my next Classic will be an ACD vehicle.

Most like original cars...Good luck finding an original rag top Classic in drivable condition. If you collect hen's teeth you'll enjoy collecting orignal rag top Classics. My 1933 Packard Twelve I can document to before 1953 as a real Twelve and my 1932 Cadillac V8 is identical to the V12 except for engine, length of drive shaft, brake booster and emblems. It's an easy conversion. That's one of the reasons I prefer having the V8. Noone converts from a V12 to a V8. Also, I can document the car back to its birth and delivery by "Packard Motor Car Company" to a Cadillac dealer in New Mexico!

In Florida I know of only one AACA Region that prohibits modified cars at its show. Fortunately it is my region, Naples-Marco Island. It gets cars you only see in magazines. Yes there are plenty of postwar vehicles. But you can expect to see Packard Twelves, Duesenbergs, Bugattis, Pierce Arrows, Model A and T Fords, etc. It's the best balanced and best quality show in the state. Gee, do you think it might have to do with not allowing modifieds???

As to young fresh blood in the Club: Being a carnut is not in the jenes. Therefore, it's not inherited. Only a small percentage of the population is interested and financially willing to imbibe in Classics. Consider the if we had 10,000 members that would be less than 1 in every 25,000 Americans!

I returned from my quest for the Holy Packard Grail about one hour ago. The car was located about 150 miles from my home in Naples, Florida. In my opinion it's a 1936 Packard Twelve. The engine was removed and is sitting next to the car. In its stead is a Chevrolet engine. The body is similiar to Macauley Jr's "Brown Bomber" in its 1935 make over and also similiar to the 1934 LeBaron. But it neither of the above. It appears to be a '50s customization (or bastardization)of a 1936 Packard and nothing more. The night before I had a beautiful dream of finding a barn fresh LeBaron Boattailed Speedster. Oh well, maybe next time.

54, but not for long enough. My cars a 29, 69 and 70 years young.

I think I'm going to be nauseous.

Gee, I never complained about the cost of Grand Classics and am getting tired of reading postings about what is good or bad about CCCA. Therefore, be it resolved, this weekend I'm going to drive 500 miles to look at a Boattail Packard roadster. I suspect it's a cobbled up one but I'll take a look. Maybe it's a Series 734 or a LeBaron or maybe its Macauley Jr's own private boattail. I'll let you know when I return on Monday.

As the CCCA membership ages and cars are sold off the market for Full Classics will get softer and the prices will drop. This means the Full Classics will become more affordable to a larger number of collectors and to a generally younger crowd. Consider that even humble Model T Fords are not being scrapped. Model T prices have more or less been stagnant for 20 years. The same maybe happening to Full Classics. They will not disappear. I doubt the CCCA is going to disappear in the foreseeable future either. I'm waiting for the price of a Duesenberg Supercharged Dual Cowl Phaeton to fall under $50,000, then I'm going to buy one!

My 1932 Cadillac was restored in 1979 and driven 157 miles until I acquired her in October, 2001. I've only had her on the road for about four months but the odometer now has 1,700 miles. I enjoy driving my Full Classics but I don't hold those who don't in contempt. It's their auto. They paid for it. It's up to the individual to drive or not to drive.

Peter, please send me one of those dance videos...and don't tell my wife.