40Darrin

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">if the car had the thermostat-operating shutters, there will be a Sylphon thermostat housing on the passenger side of the back of the radiator</div></div> OK, now I'm not so sure that it is a 120. It definately has the thermostat housing in the radiator as you can see in the attached photo, but there is no linkage and the shutters are definately fixed. As to the data plate, there is absolutely no evidence that it ever even existed. Hmmm...Junior grille, Senior radiator, Chrysler engine...I think I'll just call it FRANKENSTEIN <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Michael

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks for the photos...do you have any of the engine bay? </div></div> For all of you who answered my questions a hearty Thank You. Here's how you squeeze a baby elephant into a Packard...Enjoy! Michael

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The shutters are the vertical bars in the grille. On a Junior like a 120, they are fixed in position. </div></div> The grille has fixed shutters. I know that it is not the original. I recall my uncle complaining about the high price he paid for a replacement after damaging the original. However, I don't see him replacing a Senior grille with a Junior. As to the data plate, it was either removed or covered by a repaint as I can find no evidence of it. Looks like I'll never know for sure :-(, but it sounds like everythings pointing to a 120. Michael

Unfortunately, I don't have any photos of the engine shoehorned under the hood...yet! Give me a few days to borrow a digital camera and I'll see what I can do. Michael

West, NC is correct. Poor choice on my part of the usage "acquired". I did inherit the car. To me that makes the car even more special, since it is remaining in the family. Thanks for the help to everyone on the ID's. Sounds like its probably a 120. As to the data plate, I have looked almost everywhere, but can't find one. When you say on top of the firewall, on the engine side or passenger compartment side? Also, when you mention shutters, what exactly are you refering to? The only shutter that I can think of is the fresh air vent atop the cowl directly in front of the windshield. Michael

The dash and interior.

Rear quarter view, showing the nameplate.

Another photo of the Darrin today. Please forgive the nose high attitude and poor lighting. It was on jack stands in my garage.

My uncle purchased the car from it's second owner in 1951 for the princely sum of $610. He was forsighted enough to save the cancelled check for the purchase which I now have. He was a speed lover, and as he related to me, "The Packard engine was such a dog, i decided to drop a Hemi (331 cid) in it." He purchased the engine from Chrysler for $497.72 (again from the cancelled check) and it was delivered in a crate in January of 1952 according to a letter from Chrysler responding to his questions regarding the break-in procedure, dual-exhuast and recommended transmissions. As to help in identifying the car, I was shocked to see a photo of it on the website you provided (black, directly below the red "1940 Packard Darrin 180 Convertible"). I don't know how the web site owner got it, but my aunt has the original photo in her album. Unfortunately, it doesn't help in that all it says is "1940 Packard Darrin Convertible" In an effort somebody may be able to further id the car, I have attached a photo from when my uncle purchased it in 1951. Further posts will show the car as it now sits.

To all those who were helpful about my question, I thank you. As to "FIRST monkey around" I can relate that I have extensive experience with automobiles, to include a complete tear down and rebuild of my '65 Mustang, including rewiring the entire car. However, the Packard is my first foray into a 6 volt electrical system. My uncle did leave his sketches and description of the wiring runs for the electrical system, but none showed which post was grounded. Fortunately, my shortsightedness did not cost me. After reversing the battery, and repolarizing the generator, the Hemi my uncle purchased and installed in 1952 roared to life. From everything that I can tell, all is fine. The ammeter now shows charge when the engine is running, all the gauges work and yes, even the radio sings its AM static. Oh, by the way, yes it is a Darrin convertible. All my uncle ever called it was "The Darrin". I believe it's a Super Eight, but I am unsure. Is there any way to find out definatively? Michael

I recently acquired a 1940 Packard from my late uncle's estate. When I received the car, there was no battery in it. I have since purchased a battery and installed it. The car was running before my uncle passed. When I first attempted to start it, all i got was a click:-( All of the electrical works in the car except the starter. Pulled the starter had it tested and it was bad. I just finished installing the rebuilt starter and now, nothing, not even a click. I noticed that when the ignition is on, the ammeter is showing charge, not discharge. I assumed the electrical is negative ground, or is it positive ground? Also, if it is positive ground would this prevent the starter from cranking and what damage might I have done by connecting the negative to ground? Michael