[Got a Packard!]

I dream up a scenario of painting that 55 in stock scheme with standard body. It's night so the Lamborghini alongside doesn't notice the set back cockpit. The greasy foreign Lambo driver says to his girlfriend, "Sacrebleu, eet looks like anozher victeem for ze Lamborghini, eh babee?"

Then the light changes and the 55 screams out the 1/4 mile in 6.5 seconds at 215MPH. Sacrebleu indeed foreign guy! Hahahahaha! <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

[What's a Packard?]

I can only speak for my own daughters but they are at least passingly conversant in the things I enjoy- combat aircraft and cars. Packer, huh? They named a car after the football team?

[Got a Packard!]

Oh and here's part of an article I wrote on aircraft engines regard the Merlin.

MERLIN

This power plant seems to have more magic than the character it was named after. Much of it is deserved. Swapping a Merlin for the Allision gave the P-51 Mustang its true personality and the rest is, pretty much, history. Packard built the Merlins in the US. The Merlin ultimately grew into the Griffon in England.

1934 saw the first Merlin B. As it evolved from this ancestor into WWII the refinements were many. The Merlin 66 was one of the most widely applied models along with the V-1650-7 Packard.

Its displacement was only 27 liters (1,649 cu in) weighing 768 kg (1,690 lbs.). It could rev at 3,000 rpm and produced 1,720 hp (1,695 hp Packard). Spark came from a dual magneto system firing one plug per cylinder. One was mounted toward the rear on each side of the engine. The two-stage supercharger was mounted directly behind the engine and below it in the same housing were two SU carburetors later replaced by Bendix-Stromburg units in 1943 featuring a diaphragm to assist inverted maneuvers. 100-115 octane fuel injected directly into the supercharger at 5psi. The carburetors we speak of here were more on the order of automobile-type throttle body fuel injection systems rather than carbs as we knew them on autos.

(merl.jpg) "The Magical Merlin"

The Merlins performance advantage over the Daimler with 530 more cubic inches is due to Stanley Hooker's redesign of the supercharger, impellers and inlet flow. It was found that duel impellers added power substantially though an engine aftercooler (not to be confused with the radiator aftercooler) was needed to prevent premature fuel detonation during compression in the cylinders. The aftercooler increased the fuel/air charge density proportionately producing extra power.

Certainly cooling was a critical factor and Spitfires ultimately required larger then dual radiators. The Mustang profile is dominated by its huge single air scoop for the big radiator. Its cooling system of 16.5 gallons at 30 lbs. pressure used a 70/30 mixture of glycol/water. The radiator aftercooler had 5 gallons under 20 lbs pressure. The coolant and oil pumps resided on the rear bottom-side of the engine along with the fuel pumps. Oil capacity was 12.5 gallons. When overheated the Merlin did not immediately freeze up. The cylinder heads would develop tiny cracks allowing coolant to seep into the crankcase forming a tell tale white exhaust stream warning of impending danger.

The final variant of the Merlin, the 130/131 developed 2,030 hp with one that was tested at full power for fifteen minutes at 2,640 hp. 168,040 were produced including Packard's output.

But as hot-rodders say, "there is no substitute for cubic inches," so entered the Griffon at 36.69 liters (2,239 cu in) displacement. Over all dimensions were close to the Merlin so interchangeability to the same aircraft was accomplished. Spitfires, such as the XIV, using the Griffon had 2,050 hp and the Spiteful with a Griffon 69 using a three-stage supercharger could hit 494 mph. With a single stage blower the Mk 58 developed 2,455 hp at low level and was used on the Shackelton bombers.

[Got a Packard!]

Frank- I downloaded your car pic and now have it in my screensaver. The reason I got a classic car was partly that screensaver. If anyone wants a great freeware screensaver/wallpaper program go to webshots.com. I was diagnosed with cancer several months ago and kept myself from going nuts dwelling on it by looking for all sorts of car pics on the web to download.

Happily now it is in check and I have a few hundred car pics. But I got off into Packards and my days as a kid in the 50s. My Dad sold and owned Packards and I shifted gears for him while standing on the floor when I was a little guy.

I've writen a couple hundred articles and 3 books on WW 2 air combat and know how awe inspiring the Merlin is. My Dad had a taste of it in a P-51 during the very late stages of the war in Europe.

When I worked for Road & Track many years ago one of the technical editors answered a reader's engine swap question by ending with "you can put any engine in any car- an Allison V-12 in an MG even- if you have the time and money."

I believe I'll keep my car pretty original but have no problem doing modern upgrades as things present themselves.

Here is a sidebar on the P-51 from an article I once wrote. Someone may find some interesting data.

SIDE BAR-

The North American P-51 Mustang was one of the most decisive air combat tools devised during the Second World War. It could escort Big Friends all the way to Berlin and back. Never again did a scenario like Schweinfurt unfold while P-51s protected them.

Born under the leadership of North American's president James "Dutch" Kindelberger in a scant 117 days, its revolutionary laminar flow wing airfoil provided lift and allowed greater speed. The P-51A had the American 1,200 HP Allison V-1710-81 V-12 installed. It was soon crossbred in England with the excellent Rolls-Royce Merlin that would provide superior altitude capability as well as higher speed at all heights. Packard built the Merlin in the U.S. designated the V-1650-7. The same engine was used in the identical "C" model and later in the improved "D" model. 1,988 "B", 1,750 "C", and 6,500 "D" models were manufactured.

The Packard-Merlin displacement was 27 liters (1,649 cubic inches) weighing 768 kg (1,690 lbs.). It could turn at 3,000 RPM producing 1,695 HP with two intake and two exhaust valves per cylinder. Spark came from a dual magneto system firing one plug per cylinder. One was mounted toward the rear on each side of the engine. The two-stage turbo-supercharger was mounted directly behind and below the aftercooled engine and, in the same housing, dual Bendix-Stromburg carburetor units featuring a float diaphragm to assist inverted maneuvers. 100-115-octane fuel injected directly into the supercharger at 5 PSI

The huge, single air scoop for the big radiator dominates the Mustang's profile. Its cooling system of 16.5 gallons at 30 lbs. pressure used a 70/30 mixture of glycol/water. The radiator aftercooler had five gallons under 20 lbs. pressure. The coolant and oil pumps resided on the rear bottom-side of the engine along with dual fuel pumps. Oil capacity was 12.5 gallons. When overheated the Merlin did not immediately freeze up. The cylinder heads would develop tiny cracks allowing coolant to seep into the crankcase forming a tell tale white exhaust stream warning of impending danger. The Merlin would run ten minutes before seizing.

P-51B-10-NA Data:

Dimensions: Wingspan, 37 ft. 1/4 in.; length, 32 ft. 3 in.; height 8 ft. 8 in.; wing area 233 sq. ft.

Weights: Empty, 6,840 lbs.; normal loaded, 9,200 lbs.; maximum, 11,200 lbs.

Armament: Four wing-mounted .50 caliber Browning MG 53-2 machine guns with 350 RPG (inboard pair) & 280 RPG (outboard pair) plus two 1,000-lb. bombs. Rate of fire was about 13 rounds per second per gun.

Performance: Maximum speed, 395 MPH at 5,000 ft., 417 MPH at 10,000 ft., 426 MPH at 20,000 ft., 439 MPH at 25,000 ft., 435 MPH at 30,000 ft. Redline maximum dive speed 505 MPH; range on internal fuel, 955 miles at 397 MPH at 25,000 ft., 1,300 miles at 260 MPH at 10,000 ft. (with maximum external fuel), 2,440 miles at 249, MPH; time to 5,000 ft., 1.6 min., to 10,000 ft., 3.1 min., to 20,000 ft., 6.9 min.; service ceiling 41,900 ft.

[Got a Packard!]

I'll be adding a 20mm Vulpod for defense and will rip out the puny 8 for a real Packard- the Merlin V-12!!

I'm ready to escape to the past for sure since this timeline sucks for me.

[Got a Packard!]

Well I got a black 23 series 1950 Standard 4dr.- see my avatar I should have it via truck in a week or so. Then I can escape to the past...hopefully.

[What's a Packard?]

Hahaha yeah! It's realtive to the age. It works in reverse as we get older and don't know what the hell car they're talking about when they talk about a Outback or Tacoma. What's that from, Nissan which used to be Datsun. Or is it the restaurant and the city? And I could give a hoot what the difference between the Volvo 740 and the 760 is.

[49 packard headliner]

Hahaha! Yeah I'd be forever telling people, "see that big wrinkle? Well..."

[49 packard headliner]

I once bought an exact repro headliner for a car but just didn't want to screw things up. (I can change a carb and manifold but interior stuff like that scares me) I took it to an auto upholsterer and they expertly did it for not too much $$.

[52 Packard on ebay]

Ebay just gets crazy with all the dumb people having more money than sense. They'll bid $14k for a $10k car. Or you see a nice car and people insult the owner of a car that should go for $10k offering a bid like $3k.

[Is the 48 limo desirable?]

I guess everyone is afaid to comment. Lots of views to the question no replies. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

For what it's worth I went to see and drive the car. Mechanically it is very excellent with new almost everything- brakes, tires, fuel pump, coil, volt regulator, carb, valve job, water pump, generator, starter etc. Yes I know a different engine won't make it hold high $$ value ever but the owner who has had it 20 years bought it with a 1953 327 engine already in it which runs strong. All chrome has been re-done. Glass is good including rear divider. 1 small crack in a back window. Floors are not rusted through. Included is new, custom made wiring harness $1400 (not installed)

Downside- It is in primer but all straight body. Needs lots of prep work before any paint to remove light surface rust. No holes though. The right rocker obviously rusted out and the previous owner cut out the cancerous part. It needs a rocker reconstructed. Upholstery is serviceable and all original except for driver's seat. It's not riped anywhere. Jumpseats and rear foot rests are there and function. Transmission synchros are starting to go. Car jumps out of 3rd gear occasionally. Minor exhaust leak.

I'd say it is mechanically a strong #3 while cosmetically it is a #4. I think it might be worth $5-5500. Any thoughts...anybody?

[Is the 48 limo desirable?]

Saw this ad for car near me:

1948 PACKARD ANTIQUE, LIMOUSINE, divider window, jump seats, new tires, brakes, hoses, carburetor, water pump, wiring harness, etc, recent valve job, runs exc, $6950 or best offer

It it worth having? Sorry to be a pest but those that know are you folks.

[57 Olds prices]

Hi guys- I have a couple observations about classic prices I'd like to cut loose with. Back in the day- actually 1965/66- I had a 57 98 4 door HT that was previously owned by a local Olds dealer and had every factory option possible except the J-2. As we all know, we let things go and wish we had them later and such was the case with this car.

I'm a cancer survivor and one of the things that helped me from dwelling on it was cruising the web and finding pics of all sorts of hot rods and classics but 57s Olds in particular for my screensaver.

So I figured I'd begin looking for a something like about a #3 quality Olds. My first observation on older collectable cars is that Ebay sucks big time! That whole danged scene is full of people that either bid way too much on vehicles or insult the owners with ridiculously low bids on nice cars.

Then there are the sellers that are trying to sell cars like 88s for 98 prices all conditions equal. The 98 2dr HTs in the #2 #3 range are going for comvertable prices! People finish bidding to a price that is reasonable for the car and condittion value and never even hit the reserve!

I live in So. California and everything is overpriced here in collectable cars. Most #2 and #3s are priced like #1s. There are few real #1s but people that have poured money into a car feel justified to try to get their money back if possible regardless of going market prices.

I'm seeing some #3 bordering on #4 4dr 1957 88s and Super 88s, both HTs and sedans, now being priced like #2 98 2dr HTs! Hey these are not 57 Bel Air HTs with factory fuel injection but people are starting to price them so.

I've seen it on other cars too so the trend is not exclusive to Olds. In the 1980s you may not know that the upper class fine/rare/exotic auto owners artificially boosted prices on their cars. How? They put them in auctions with impossibly high reserves and bidding went sky high but it wasn't enough of course. The owners then went to their insurance companies with documented bidding amounts and elevated their cars' bogus values to the freakin stratosphere. I'm talking the stuff that went from like $75k to $2-300k in a little while.

Anyhow I feel better telling everybody. And watch out on Ebay.

[Packard insight]

Thanks I use the VMR site and NADA but don't know the Manheim site. My figures match exactly or pretty closely so I guess I can't go wrong. NADA has Custom 8 Low-$5975 Average-$9150 High-$14,200 while the Standard goes $3250, $5025 and $9000.

I would like to find a car in that era. I may or may not. I don't know. My Dad sold Packards back in the day and of course drove them. Went to Cads later. Anyhow I appreciate the feedback. If you can think of any "watch out for this" remarks to share please let me know. Thanks!

[Packard insight]

OK who knows about the 49's? I'm thinking about looking at one in my area. The guy has a $7500 price on it. It is a Custom 8 and not a Standard which should be worth much less since there were many more Standards built that Customs as best as I can tell. Ad doesn't say about the tranny. I can't find definitive info on whether all 1949 Custom 8s had the ultramatic or not.

The ad says everything works but needs body work- must be on left side as pic shows none. I'd say that would drop the price to a #4 from a #3 for sure. Don't know about engine/trans ever rebuilt or not.

Now I see another 1949 23 series Stantard priced at $3500 stating rebuilt engine and transmission w/O.D.

If both are not sold I'll look at them both butif any Packard fans have any experience they'd like to share I'd appreciate it.