tbirdman

Since he really doesn't have an official business, I rather not publish his name for his privacy. How if you PM, I will share.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've used Dupont Centari acrylic enamel with hardener. I believe any paint type ( polyurathane, urethane, acrylic urethane, acrylic enamel including clears etc. that requires hardener will work equally well. Also remember that the finish will only be as good as the preparation and undercoats. I use epoxy primer for the priming steps and I sand it so as not to leave a thick coating of it. Two part fillers such as epoxy, body filler, flexible filler etc. can be used to fill imperfections depending somewhat on what the wheel is made of. Use 600 grit for final primer sanding. Apply no more than 2 or 3 coats of color depending on paint type. Hang the wheel so that it can be rotated for easier sprayng. Don't touch it for a week. John Worden </div></div> Great feedback. Unfortunately by the time you gather all of the materials to paint, it would be just as cheap to send it out. However you'll learn a lot and forever you have a reminder of your project. Also with the time you could spend on it, you might just do a better job than a body shop.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Moderator: I don't know if it's kosher in this forum, but can we post the vender?s name so we all know about one of the few guys not trying to retire by selling off Packard parts? Geoff </div></div> He's not a big tme vendor but dabbles in parts. He has a couple of 32s so we have somethng in common. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I received two used switches a few weeks ago that I had been looking for a long time from a Packard vendor. He told me to pay him what I thought they were worth. I sent him a check. This week I got a check back for half the amount I had paid and a note saying he thought that half of what I sent him was a fairer price.

I've got a driver set that would need tobe restored for a show car. Give me a PM.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The Darrin... or the '38 five-passenger convertible coupe? It was the '38 I was referring to. I have never had the crazy idea that I could ever afford a Darrin. </div></div> I was thinking of the Darrin. I understood that the Darrin went for prettyy cheap when acquired because the rough shape it was in.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I missed out trying to buy a car just like that a few years ago. I wonder if that's what's happened to it. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> </div></div> This was completed about 2000.

Bill Hirsch

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">hey...watch that...! I was BORN in a 1936 Packard "120" sedan. Damn good car ! The recognition by the auto buying public that the "120" series Packards were a TREMENDOUS value in their price class, is why there was a Packard Motor Car Company for years afterwards ! </div></div> No offense meant. I agree the 120 was a great value and had features such as IFS that didn't show up on the Senior Packards until 1937. The interesting fact I read was that in one year, Packard used 2500 employees to build 50000 juniors and 2500 emplyees to build 10000 Seniors. The numbers are probably not that accurate as I'm going from memory, but the substantial difference in the number of emploees to make each car is. This same person was upset when he overhead a conversation that his car being a sedan was typically worth less than a convertible of the same model. I'm not going to worry about the member leaving. In the car section for members, I hope to put multiple pictures of each car, so Packard people can look at these cars to see restored examples. I figure that helps people who are doing their restorations. I'm on the contant lookout for 32 pictures so I can try to make my 32 an accurate restoration as possible. I've been unable to see a 32 in person yet except for the Dietrich coupe roadster at Nethercutt. It's amazing the amount of disk space for these web sites are providing for fairly inexpensive (<$100). I get 250 GB of storage which means a lot of pictures. My first car web site I put together a few years back was limited to 20 MB. We kept hitting the storage limit and having to remove pictures. Currently I'm less than a GB and I'm runnning three web sites off of the same hosting package. Any suggestions to make the Packard web site better would be appreciated.

You may want to go back a look again. I've added some from PI meet in 2006. We also have a lot of different pictures. One of the club members who's a (Oh well, my momma say if you can't say anything nice) was upset because I got a ovation at the meeting for the new web site and he was not recognized for photos we used of his. Even when we said we would correct the oversight with a credit to him on the website, he took his toys and went home. Oh well. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> So I removed his photos but other members got together and we got new photos on the site. The funny thing is he told some people he was going to join the CCCA. Know I know owning a "Classic" is not a CCCA requirement, but I know he's going to raise a stink when he finds his 36 120 Sedan is not recognized as a classic by the CCCA. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What great photography - what a magnificent car ! We need to get the REAL "experts" in here to tell us more about the story behind this car. Actually, this could be a real historical "find", as I see the makings of several interesting history stories. First of all, it is obviously a Super Eight, but what year ? Look at the radiator shell. Painted to LOOK like a "Twin Six" / V-12, but, is it a '32 radiator shell, or is it the "exchange" one to make '30 Packards look like mid-year proiduction 1931's...? Racking my brain to remember when the 8 cylinder Packards went do DOWNdraft carbueration...anyone remember ? Am NOT surprised by the "big" bumpers. A number of "Deluxe Eights" (translation - the 384 cu in Super Eight) came out of East Grand Blvd. with those monster "vibration damper" bumpers that later were exclusively for the Twelves unless "special ordered". A photo of the dash might tell our "experts" a bit more. I am NOT an expert, but my HUNCH is this car may well be a real historical "find"...meaning, one of the first, if not the first pre-production Dietreichs made for an auto show. (either that, or some restorer had a hell of a time pulling a fast one on all of us...!) </div></div> Packard went to downdraft in 33, 10th series. As you indicated the dash should give us a clue if it's a 32 or 31. Also if it's a three speed then it's a 32. A 4 speed could be either 31 or 32. Both Super 8's and 12s in 32 had the harmonic balancers as standard. Not sure if the 12s were slightly bigger.

I'm going to Dallas this week on a business trip and like to meet up with you.

You need to hang out in this forum and start reading up on Packard. I have a 32 Coupe Roadster 903. I learned a lot by hanging out here. Also I read a lot. Have you joined the local Packard club? Start reading all you can. Here's a good to start with Packard: A History of the Motor Car and the Company and it can be purchased at Amazon reasonably. Your father has a very nice Packard and it's a Dietrich to boot.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">re: picture of the butchered '38 Packard V-12 two door sedan the way I found it, was to search for Lone Star Packard ( I was looking for info. about the upcoming meet in Texas at the end of March ) </div></div> Here it is!

I did read in a Packard book as I was searching for info regarding a possible 33 to 34 kit, that Packard did offer instructions in their service letter how to change the 33 fenders for 34s.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Ken I don't doubt what Bill is saying about the 1933-34 twist. He's exactly right about the Car of the Dome car. </div></div> I don't doubt it either but I wanted to learn more about it. The 31 to 32 conversion is recited quite often but I have never run across the 33 to 34 conversion kit story. I did see a 33 whose front fenders skirts were removed to make it look more like a 32. Anyway, have you shaved your door handles yet and added flamethrowers<img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">About that 33-34 Packard sedan. In order for dealers to clear out stock before the new model year, Packard Motor Car Company offered a conversion kit to update '33's to the appearance of '34's. Among other things, this included the distinctive turned-down-in-front fenders of the '34. The famous Dietrich designed Car of the Dome is a 33 that underwent this conversion in the middle of the night during a show, the schedule of which fell across model year change time. Thus, it was not uncommon to find converted 33's (complete with the poorly designed vent windows) on the road. I presume that in those more casual times, they were even registered as '34's. </div></div> I have read a lot about this era of Packards (32-34), I have never heard or read anything about this 33 to 34 conversion. Where did you find this info? I know they did offer a 31 to 32 conversion.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">So did the '71 Corvette I once had .. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> I wonder if he took into account the mediocre construction these cars seem to be known for new. If you add all that HP and weight from power ash trays and such, it probably does not help.. </div></div> Don't know. I have never ridden it so it's only someone's take. It does draw a lot of attention.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I must say the workmanship seems top shelf but how do you get that irreplacable old car feel with everything new but the reworked sheetmetal. I can't help but think this must feel like a new Caddy XLR convert or a Corvette to drive. One thing I like about the older stuff is it feels so differently from what we now drive every day. </div></div> I have not ridden in it but my neighbor did. He said it rattled quite a bit.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I took a look at my extra steering columns last night and no brilliant ideas sprang to mind. The wooden puller is worth a try but I don't see how it could exert enough force to break the wheel loose. </div></div> I think the idea behind the wood puller would be steady and even pressure on the base of the steering wheel. As others suggested, keep squirting it daily with some kind of lubricant. The thing I do like about these cars is that you can work on them for a few hours and then walk away. It's amazing how the next day things sometimes get clearer.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Marriage can be pretty frustrating also but I only have 1 wife whereas I have about 15 restoration projects underway at any one time. </div></div> Yes but with a classic car... 1. The body usually gets in better shape over time 2. If there's a problem with it usually makes a noise 3. If there is a problem with it, you usually can fix it Now I will duck for cover. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

another

Here's some more pics

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks for the link. I should check here before I went at it again. I pulled out my three jaw puller it fit around the hub but guess what it cracked a piece right on top of the outer edge of the hub <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> It is a clean break so looks like out will come the gorilla glue some glazing puddy and paint or I should just purchase the tool you posted and move onto something else. Restoring the wheel was not in my plans at this stage. Why do these things happen. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> </div></div> Sorry to hear about the crack. However now is the chance to make the steering wheel perfect. I would think you could construct out of wood and some bolts that would do the same thing.

Got it off yet? He's an example of a puller that is used on a Model A ford for which it looks you could build one for a Packard.