V.Milke

Hi: I am restoring a 1934 President which was partly restored but never finished. The engine was supposedly redone a few years ago but never used because it overheated. I already started it and it sounds and feels alright, but after about half an hour, it does overheat. I took the water cover out and it turns out it has a horrid home made water jacket with very small holes, which may very well be the cause of the problem. I have never seen a good one or know how it is supposed to look like. would anybody have one for sale? Ot could anybody direct me to a source to buy either a good one or a reproduction? Thanks, Victor vmilkeg at paniplus.com.mx

Hi: I took my 1931 Commander 70 out for the first time, after checking on engine, greasing, brakes, installing reasonable tires, etc. I am surprised as to how well the car rides... fast, responsive, good brakes... but I cannot get the freewheeling to work. In fact, if I put the car into gear without pressing the button on the gear lever, it feels like the car is in neutral, with no force at all transmited to the wheels when the gas pedal is pushed. If I push the button and the gearbox lever goes to the final step on second and third speeds, then I get the regular gearbox working just fine... so... what I am missing? Is it some kind of an adjustment or something that I should look for to get my freewheeling working? Thanks, Victor

Hi Tom and all: Here is the additional information on my car: Vin in door jamb: 191876H921775 Engine code: MT Thanks for your help in decoding the car. Victor

Thanks Tom: I live in Queretaro, Mexico. The car was brought from the US back in 1966, apparently by the president back then, Adolfo Lopez Mateos. I don't know much of it's history, but fortunately, it has been well kept throughout it's life. It mainly needs a paint job and a few details. I am away from home so I will be able to get the numbers in a few days. Thaks for your help, Victor Milke

Thanks. I checked already but no 37's there... other than the one selling for a king's ransom on ebay! Victor

Thanks Don. I will try him. Richard Quinn provided me with the following information: "the '31 Commander model 70 uses the same door handles as the 1929-30 model FD Commander, the part numbers are 242505A (right) and 242506A (left). I am thinking that they may be interchangeable with the President but have simply a different pattern though I do not know this for certain. Since there a lot more Presidents around than Commanders maybe someone has recast them? The window cranks are also the same as the FD and all four carry the same part number 242502A." Victor

Hi: I am new to the forum. I restored a 1964 Riv about 15 year ago and use it and enjoy it a lot. Now I recently bought a 1966 Riviera which is a good original in need of paint and some cosmetics. I would like to start by knowing what I have, and therefore I request your help to decode it's tag. The car is an export model, with speedometer in kilometers (very inacurate by the way), but it has the Buick green engine, just as in my 1964 model. It has about 55,000 miles and I believe this green paint is from the factory. I read in some other post of a similar car, so I am curious to know if I have the regular 425 engine (feels more slow and heavy than the 1964 I own) or if it is a 401(that was not made for regular production, as far as I understand), as it has also a Carter carb, instead of the Rochester... and it is identical to the one on the 1964 car except for the kickdown switch. My plate reads: 12C ST6649487 - EUC 96172 BODY TR 651-B EX 2KGR 4F5K My engine number is 6H921775 Can anybody help me with information here? Thanks, Victor

Hi Tom: Still got the car? I need some interior trim. Victor

Hi: I have been looking for a 1937 Studebaker Coupe Express for quite sometime now, with no luck. I want a project to restore, though not a difficult one. Would anybody know of one for sale? Thanks, Victor

Hi: I am new to the forum, which I just found. I recently bought a 1931 Commander 8 sedan which is a decent original in need of lots of work. Few missing things, but among them, I need the window cranks and the interior door handles. I just have one of each, so I need at least 3 more. Would anybody have some available or might point me in the right direction? Thanks, Victor

Ed: Do you still have the car? I could be interested in it. Thanks, Victor

Hello: Have you sold your suitcases? If not, I could be interested in the 3 of them. Thanks V.Milke vmilke at paniplus.com.mx

I need a clutch cover (the heavy cast cover between engine and transmission) for my 1950 Super Eight... that is, the 327 engine. Question is about what I need to look for. Will a clutch cover for a 288 or 356 engine be the same or do I need the specific 327 engine cover. Thanks for any help victor.

I will second everybody's opinion. A must have. But I suggest another type of battery switch. Several manufacturers have a big heavy metal switch, with either a knob or a key to turn on and off. I use this type, installed in a way that the knob will be hidden under the carpet of a car, accesible from the driver's seat. Makes things easier. You don't have to open the hood to turn the green knob around, which by the way, makes it safer. I once had a short circuit on my ex-'47 clipper, and just reach by hand and turn the lever and problem is off till you are able to look at it. Perhaps by ignorance and also for respecting the originaly type of ground braided cables, in the case of my '47 and my '50, I manufactured a possitive cable, made out of 0 or 00 caliber black cable, soldered a terminal for the battery side, and on the other end a terminal to the switch, which was mounted at the side of the engine, right next to the transmission cover. From the inside, I just get my hand under the carpet and turn the switch. The other cable has a very small route... from the switch, right to the starter. Very small cable. True, you will need to make a small hole in your floor to put the head of the switch through it (the rest stays on the engine side and it not very noticeable), but I think it is well worth it, and also the about $40 cost of the switch... more expensive than the green one, but if I had to choose a switch for another car, it will be this type again. Victor.

Hi: Would anyone have a clutch cover for sale. It is the heavy cast part between engine and gearbox. My car has the 327 engine, it is a 1950 Super eight. Thanks, Victor Milke

Anita: Sorry to hear about your father's illness. He certainly had great tastes. It appears to be a 1932 DV32 cabriolet or convertible coupe. Gorgeous, and in beautiful condition. Victor

Hello Ed: Comming back to the forum after some time... and I see your posting. Yes! of course I would be very interested to see that information you mention about tops. I am happy to know that black was optional, as I feel better having the car with a 'correct' top. Could you email me directly to discuss how to do it?: vmilke@paniplus.com.mx I really appreciate your help. Thanks Victor

Ed: Thanks a lot for your response. It deffinately does not make me very happy: Tan top and an all silver car, as my car is, does not sound like a great combination... with marron, like in your case, it is another story, it must be stunning. I am familiar with the V12 convertible coupe you mention, I've seen it in a couple of books and it is stunning also, but thanks to the black top (with red piping if I recall correctly, to match the burgundy upholstery and chassis). My car is full silver, even up to a silver chassis, and it shows that at least at some point had chrome wheels, though they are now green, to match the upholstery. So too light or flashy for a tan top, in my opinion. Tought task to decide, as I wanted to go as original as possible. Thanks again victor.

Hi: I have a 1001 Eight convertible coupe, painted silver with a medium green, sort of olive green leather interior. Because of the silver color, a tan top in my opinion is out of the question, so I am planning on going with black (right now it has an "awful green" one). By the way, I have a picture in a book of a V12, convertible coupe, silver with black top, which would be a very similar outlook as to what my car should be, but I have a doubt regarding the interior, as my car shows that at some point the convertible top bows were painted in a sort of tan color, so... Could I have my car with a convertible top black on the outside and tan on the inside or should it be black/black? I want to ask what I SHOULD do... in otherwords, what did Packard used originally. Can anybody enlighten me on this subject? Thanks, victor.

I have a 1001 Eight convertible coupe, painted silver. Because of the silver color, a tan top in my opinion is out of the question, so I am planning on going with black. By the way, I have a picture in a book of a V12, convertible coupe, silver with black top, which would be a very similar outlook as to what my car should be, but I have a doubt regarding the interior, as my car shows that at some point the convertible top bows were painted in a sort of tan color, so... Could I have my car with a convertible top black on the outside and tan on the inside or should it be black/black? I want to ask what I SHOULD do... in otherwords, what did Packard used originally. Can anybody enlighten me on this subject? Thanks, victor.

It is what British call a Sports saloon, or a 4 door - 4 light, which in other words means a sedan with 4 windows on the sides, versus the more common (till the early 40's) sedan with 6 windows on the sides. In American cars, I've seen it referred as Club sedan. Victor

Congratulations on the 1st place, and more so for your attitude towards the hobby. That's what cars are for, to be ridden and enjoyed. Great way to promote the hobby. victor.

Congratulations on the Stutz. It does appear to be a 1926 or 27 AA sedan, and from what I can see in the picture, you shouldn't have much trouble restoring it as it appears to be in fairly good condition. Gorgeous car.

And there is another old mexican movie, dating from the 50's called "La sombra del Caudillo". I have never been able to see the movie, but I saw a picture out of it that shows a 1934 V12 town car (a car I have been after for quite some time).

There is a fairly new Mexican movie "La ley de Herodes", on which the car "star" is a 1940 120 sedan.