V.Milke

1956 was the last year for "true" Packards... and some cars they were. Slightly better looking than the 1955 models, because of the hooded headlights and some mouldings, with push button transmissions, improved torsion bar suspension, more horsepower... I particularly love the 56 Caribbean, my personal postwar favorite Packard... perhaps one day I will be able to get my hands on one. 1957 and 58 they were only badge engineered Studebakers, for the reasons explained up there. Packard continued to sell Studebakers well into the mid 60's. Too sad an ending for a great marque, or perhaps I should say the greatest comercial american car, and by comercial (excuse the term if it is not well applied but I am not a native english speaker) I mean a car sold in great quantities (not like Duesenberg or the like). victor.

One thing which I haven't been able to find on 22nd and 23rd series cars these days is that apparently instruments were originally painted dark brown, but with a thin paint that looks like tint, but that with the light has faded into light brown. I dismantled a dash some years ago trying to do the same thing you are going to do, and once I took out the instruments, I found that the part that the light touched looked almost pale brown or veige, while the hidden part still showed the dark brown on them. Same think with the speedometer and clock, where the fluorescent number protected the brown part in the back. They must have looked terrific back then... they still look great today in the pale brown during daytime, though are difficult to see. The black glass light covers do the trick at nights. victor.

PFH: Thanks for your response. I now get the idea and agree with you that since my car is running decently it is something I don't need. However, I always like to find the correct factory options for my car, so I am going to keep my eyes open for one, just to have it. Thanks again for your help victor.

Hi: Can anybody when they were available and where were they installed in the car? Also, are they practical or should I forget about the idea of finding and installing one on my 1933 1001? Thanks victor.

Asides from the condition, I would guess you need to determine which model it is... a Twelve would be worth considerably more than a Super Eight, which in turn would be worth more than an Eight. Though any of them in decent condition would be worth quite a bit. Victorias, in any series, are among the expensive models you can find. victor.

Al: A few more: First, I should point out my car, a 1933 1001 Eight convertible coupe... though I haven't seen the movie, the past owner told me about it and I found a paper inside the car proving that it appeared with Brigitte Bardot on a French movie filmed in Tlacotalpan, Veracruz, Mexico. Film was called "Boulevard du Rhum", directed by Robert Enrico in 1971. I believe it was called Rum runners" in the US. I have been looking everywhere for this film to see my car back in the late 60's, but have not been able to find a copy yet. (any help, greatly appreciated) As somebody else mentioned, Back to the Future, part one, has a beautiful 22nd series Custom Eight convertible in yellow... gorgeous car. Hey Arnold... yes, the cartoon, has what looks like a 1948-50 sedan as the grandfather's car. The Godfather, part one, has one of my favorites. A 180 Le Baron Sport Brougham. Victor.

So.... any ideas as to where I could find the option list for these cars? I would love to know if leather interior was an option on the Super deluxe convertible, and what other options they had available? Thanks, Victor.

Can somebody tell me where can I find the correct original factory options for these cars? I know my Super Deluxe convertible has the following: Trim rings, Radio, Spot light, Gooseneck Mirrors, Vacumatic antenna, low pressure 820 X 15 whitewall tires, search light, fog lights, exhaust tube terminal, gas cap with key. I would love to know if leather interior was optional, and also I have seen larger front bumper guards, and my car has a horizontal bumper guard bar, that goes between the regular front bumpers. Was this a factory option? Was it available for the rear bumper also? Thanks Victor.

Since Brian is no apparently not going to have the door handles made, I am considering taking up the project. Instead of explaing the full negotiation, I am transcribing this: "As per our e-mail on the 27th Feb we quoted for a minimum order 12 interior handles and escutcheons at $124.00 each Aust or approx $75.00 U.S. 12 window winders and escutcheons at $134.00 each Aust or approx $80.00 U.S. but as per you only requiring at this stage the interior handle we had to increase the price for 12 interior handles and escutcheons at $145.00 Aust or approx $ 87.00 U.S. Hope this explains the cost clearly - the handles will be supplied polished, ready to be fitted to the car." I have seen some of the reproductions made by this australian company and they are great. I suppose we need to add shipping to the prices above, but anyways, they seem to me as a reasonable price for the quality they have. That is the story... I am in for 4 of the door handles only (my car is a 1928 Phaeton). Is anybody else interested in purchasing either door handles or window winder handles? Victor vmilke@paniplus.com.mx

Jack: Thanks for your post. Everything in my car appears to be original, exactly the way you describe it, but I am missing the round knob. Could you tell me what does this knob look like or what material is it made of? Thanks for your help victor.

Laurence: About your question, I honestly wouldn't know, but I would suppose they were made of cast iron, or at least that is what the ones I have seen look like. If you have a spare, I am very interested to get it. My car is currently missing it and two exhausts were made all the way to the rear of the car. I would love to correct that and get it back to original configuration Thanks Victor Milke vmilke@paniplus.com.mx

JT: The picture was taken the day I bought it, in the shop it was in. The owner had recently left his cement floor and partial roof shop where this particular car was stored for the past 30 years, and got temporary storage with the neighbor, on the place seen in the picture. The car was there fortunately only for about a month, since there was no floor or roof. Past owner, a good mechanic and shop owner, had it for 30 years. He rebuilt the engine then, but forgot to reinstall the water pipe, so the car overheated and never got to be used. I first tried to buy the car from him about 15 years ago, with no luck and no apparent possibilities. About 8 years ago, another friend reintroduced him to me, and that is when he told me about the overheating. I explained about the water pipe and he was able to locate one. The overheating problem was solved, but the guy was sick and in his 60s and therefore I suppose had no mood to use it any longer, so he only took it for a ride around the neighborhood with his son and my friend. They never took it out again. He passed away 5 years ago, and for the past 2 years I was in contact with the son, who is now a good friend also. I could not afford the price he asked me for it and gave him names of people who could be interested in it, showed him price guides, etc. Finally, two weeks ago he told me he would sell it to me. Car was sold originally in Aguascalientes, a state in the center of Mexico. Apparently, I am the fourth owner. Luckily, it is a very decent original. It was originally light turquoise but was painted dark green 30 years ago. It has tan leatherette interior, but it needs to be replaced. The car needs everything, but it is a very good and solid base to start with, having original everything except for tires and paint. It is missing only a very few parts, like the original cormorant wings (they were replaced for the lower ones of a later model) interior door locks, original fog lights (they are listed in the original invoice but were replaced for Marchal's at some point of it's life) and that's about it. I will put it to run, clean and polish it, and use it as it is for a while. Eventually I will do a cosmetic restoration, but perhaps a couple of years from now. Main concern then will be if I will return it to the original turquoise color, which I have to admit is not my favorite, or change it to some other original color, perhaps burgundy. There are only a handful of this model in Mexico. In over 20 years in the collector car community, and being Packard my favorite brand, I have only heard/seen 5 of them. I tried to get an identical twin about 10 years ago with no luck. That car was restored and painted light yellow, which would probably have been my option for changing colors, but with so few of them around, I suppose I should not paint mine in yellow. I am attaching a picture of the rear of the car. Same day, same place. About the Corvette in the picture... no... I wish I had one. It is being restored at the shop.

Here is the 1950 Super Deluxe Convertible Victoria I just bought... lots of cleaning to do.

The 1950 Super Deluxe convertible I just bought turned out to be mostly complete and in the majority of cases I know what I need to look for. My question is regarding the door locks. Car has the original upholstery (though rough) and the original door locks instead of comming up and out the upper part of the door, come across the door panels, through a small stainless or aluminum plate. I have everything but whatever screws up there, that you would actually use your fingers to lock/unlock. I would love to know what went there. Can anybody "enlighten" me on this subject, or better still, would anyone have a picture of this part or know where I could find a couple? Thanks,

Hi Randy: Thanks for your good wishes. I own a 1933 1001 convertible coupe, in good running condition, and just sold, after 15 years of ownership, a 1947 Custom Super Clipper limo. That is precisely why I couldn't refuse buying this car... Packards were and are magnificent automobiles, with good parts availability and are very reliable and enjoyable. I was after this particular car for almost 15 years. I hope to have it running soon, hopefully before the end of next month. I'll keep you posted. Regards, victor.

Thanks for the responses. I checked the engine number and it is H406741, therefore, according to what Randy mentions, it is in fact a 327 engine. These number is also listed in it's original invoice, so I am glad it does have the engine it originally came equipped with. I bought the car already. Thanks victor.

I am about to buy a 23rd series Super Deluxe Eight convertible. This car originally had the 327 engine (vs. the Custom at 356 c.i.) in it. This particular car I am buying is a very good original car, though abandoned for the last good number of years. The engine stamped number matches the one in the original dealer invoice, but I find it funny that the engine head has a cast (not stamped) "288" number on top. The intake manifold has a small cast number 327 (or 321?) on it. Would any of these numbers mean anything? Can anybody tell me how to tell the 327 engine appart from the 288 c.i. one? Thanks victor.

Are these really 'that' rare? Hasn't anybody seen them? Thanks victor.

I just sold my 1947 Custom Super Clipper limo after about 18 years of ownership, and though I am not an expert on this cars, I believe I can answer your question. The part you mention is not supposed to be seen. My car had it black (though it was a black car), and all the cars I have seen also have it in black. The lines painted over the chrome part were supposed to be a dull silver, same as in the rest of the mouldings. I didn't keep any detailed pictures but only general views. I am enclosing one. In case you are interested in looking at them, let me know your email to send them to you. Hope this helps. victor.