Dr Morbius

Oh , the Horror, the Horror !!! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> ......Steve

And a happy new year to all ! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> An Ives man 'eh? I'm a Lionel fan myself. ...........Steve

Just wondered how many out there have the original Twin-Six and how do they run in todays traffic and fuel ? Or are they in a trailer most of the time? Or am I crazy for even suggesting driving it , I understand the brakes are a tad weak. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> ..........Steve

Oh , I saw that one on ebay - certainly different ! Could possibly Cushman parts help you ? That's my guess - Good Luck ! ............Steve

Dave , I believe you are right - it's a 1970 Austin Sprite. I used to appraise classic cars and strong case for making this a parts car is the rust between the drivers door and the front fender. Open that spot up and you'll meet Pandora face to face! Not worth more than $250 . [ no charge for advice ] ..........Steve

My '54 Caribbean was restored almost 10 years ago and from mile one I've had silicone for brake fluid. In early 2001 I restored a '54 Pacific and again used silicone - in a totally rebuilt brake system. I used Ed Strain in Florida for the master cylinders and he uses the correct rubber seals for silicone use. ..........Steve

Sorry about that chief ! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" />

Mr Push , I also became a mechanic [of sorts] with my Jag. In 1976 when in the air force I was stationed in England I picked up an Aston Martin DB-6 [for $2000] and that was a diffrent animal. Boy I loved that car ...Still wished I had it ! And still with Lucas electrics it was very reliable !!!!! Go figure. ...............Steve <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Mr Push , I also became a mechanic [of sorts] with my Jag. In 1976 when in the air force I was stationed in England I picked up an Aston Martin DB-6 [for $2000] and that was a diffrent animal. Boy I loved that car ...Still wished I had it ! And still with Lucas electrics it was very reliable !!!!! Go figure. ...............Steve

Mr Push , I also became a mechanic [of sorts] with my Jag. In 1976 when in the air force I was stationed in England I picked up an Aston Martin DB-6 [for $2000] and that was a diffrent animal. Boy I loved that car ...Still wished I had it ! And still with Lucas electrics it was very reliable !!!!! ...............Steve

Mr. Pushbutton -- Ah yes I forgot about the razor edged fenders {how could I?} but one thing I really liked on my very first car [a 67 xk-e ] was that to adjust the timing there was a little knob on the distributor that clicked I believe in increments of a degree. You didn't have to unbolt anything and use a timing lite. Of course adjusting it on the steering wheel while driving is lots better !!!! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Silverghost , I was referring to SafetyFlex's reputation and quality angle. And no, I don't but I wish I did have an early Twin Six so I could go to car shows and when someone asks is that a model "T" I open the hood , point and go "Do model T's have a V-12 engine ?" and of course when they say I suppose so, I close the hood , start 'er up and drive home with my head hanging in wonder. No , actually I love talking about automotive history to the masses that come to the car shows as I suppose most do on this forum. FYO I have a Caribbean & a Pacific both of which are fully restored and I will set up some pictures. ...........Steve <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I guess it's a classic case of " It's all relative " ........Steve <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Oh stop ..... I'd put any 1954 Packard, or '56 if you want against a Rolls-Royce from the same year. The doors close with the same tick - Packard engines are smoother and need less maintenance and have more power..... I've lived in Merry olde England for some years and got to know RR and Bentley fairly well. I'll take a Packard over them anytime ! Even a bathtub model ! And ask any mechanic which car he'd rather work on, oh wait , he'll want to make lotsa money for the extra hours he'll spend on the Rolls compared to the Packard for doing the same thing. If you want to compare quality the highest quality Packards was from 1905 to the big 6 "Dominator" of 1915. Much better than anything from the thirties ! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

A nice trade if I may say so ! ........Steve

To Packard V8 -- Unbind your cockles please......you brought up the point about bulbous styling on the Nash & Lincoln and I'll grant you that- except that Nash was not even in the same market as Packard and Lincoln sales numbers were like 1/4 of Packard's numbers- again not in it's league, or you might say apples and oranges- or qumquats....whatever. The only real competition to Packard was at that time Cadillac, and Cadillac's Styling I believe was heads above Packard. I also believe most people saw it the same way and bought accordingly. Packard should have kept the Clipper styling {which I still believe is stunning!} up to 1949 and then come out with the Contour styling which was a really great design. But what KILLED Packard's styling momentum was the "Pregnant Elephant". .........Steve

Did anyone see last week when Helen Thomas asked Scott McClellen , spokesman for the White House about the collapse of Packard he immediately blamed it on the Clinton Administration. Jeeeeze Loueeese! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Did anyone ever notice the grand Packard Clipper styling from 1941 through '47 and the later mid 50's to early 60's Rolls & Bentley design ? From a distance , say 150 ft they look the same but the Clipper has a more modern rounded effect and the Rolls - Bentley more of an edged shape to it. ..........Steve

Yes !! Very true - another large chunk of blame should go to the '48 to '50 body styles. Built like tanks !!! Unfortunately looked like tanks !! But before anybody gets their cockles in a bind my very first collector/classic car was a '50 super sedan. I still think it's a great car but in the context of the late '40s how can I put it ? it just wasn't a very exciting car. ....Steve <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

By the way , my 2 Packards are not trailer queens -- I drive them pretty good all year round , although the Caribbean not so much in the winter!!! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

I've studied this and read many books and articles on the subject and have come to the conclusion that although the Conner plant was small, they came out with a v-8 too late, Nance's sales backround and the 120 in the thirties .... the main {probably 45%} reason has to be Charlie Wilson and the defense contracts. Does anyone realise how much Packard lost because of that lame brain! We're talking many hundredths of millions over each 3 to 5 year period. Even if you take 30% profit of say ....500 mill your talking 150 million spread over that time period. Easily enough to tool up a new body design for Packard and I'll also add a different but tasteful design for Clipper. Langworth was wrong on the 120 - It opened up Packard to the rest of the world in sales, as you can see in the sales numbers. If Mercedes could sell low and high end, why not Packard ? As to the 359 with the aluminum head, I have 2 Packards both with the 359 and both with aluminum heads - yes the Pacific has it's original head, and they both run SUPER ! The key to having it run with no problems is to torque the head every 6 months. It's no secret {you just go to any seance and call up Col. Vincent} <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> and it works for me. It also helps you don't overheat the engine !! Just my ooh....14 cents worth. ........Steve

Sorry , actually 88 not 89 !

Yea , but the guy is 89 years old !

If anyone is interested the 359 engine starter motor from the '54 Senior Packard's cross reference's only to a 1954 White truck ......... Go figure ! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Gentlemen .... in the case of B S bouncing or splatting - I'm no expert but couldn't it depend on what he ate ? Or maybe he had the bird flu ? Who knows? ..........Steve