My next project? 1921 Packard Coupe.

[MCHinson]

Bernie,

As I have told you before, my knowledge of Packards of this period is very little. In AACA Judging, the important standard is best described: "as it could have come from the factory". If you are recreating a body style that could have been ordered from the factory, you should be fine. If the body style that you are creating could not have come from the factory, then in AACA Judging, it would merit some significant deductions.

In either case, I think that you are doing a great job with what you had to start with.

[oldcar]

Bernie,

In AACA Judging, the important standard is best described: "as it could have come from the factory". If you are recreating a body style that could have been ordered from the factory, you should be fine. If the body style that you are creating could not have come from the factory, then in AACA Judging, it would merit some significant deductions.

Hello Matthew

Thank you for your input, I have received a reply from Steve Moskowitz confirming that under AACA Judging rules the car would in fact be marked down by a considerable amount. I guess that it will not be offered for sale in the USA in the first instance. Hopefully the Europeans will look at it differently. I have put a huge amount of effort into making it what is to my thinking a 99:100 point car.

"Keep on keeping on"

Bj.

Edited November 27, 2012 by oldcar (see edit history)

[oldcar]

The work continues. You could say that it never ends, I have just returned from taking the two door pull handles and another smaller handle plus the four breeching staples for the door check straps to have the chrome stripped off and a layer of nickel plating applied. I believe that one of Santa's assistants will deliver them back. Unfortunately he is the one who likes to be paid. One could be excused for thinking that the end is nigh. The one remaining large task is to replace the crumpled original exhaust pipes. Once this is done, finally I will not have any excuse for not attempting to start the engine and to drive it.

"Keep on keeping on"

Bj.

[West Peterson]

Bernie,

Just my two cents, but just because it would lose points in AACA judging, that wouldn't preclude one from enjoying and showing it at AACA events. There is a Driver Participation Class, and there are many, many tours on which it could be used, both in AACA and other clubs. I for one would love to tour with that car.

[oldcar]

Thank you West

Of course I should know that the AACA is about much more than just car shows.

Part of yesterdays activities on the Packard was refitting the "rug-rail".

Naturally a tourist owner would require a suitable "travel rug" so I have commenced work on an addition to the cars equipment. For such an exciting looking car something exotic was called for, a luxury fur for instance. My first thoughts were for an Ocelot but was disappointed with the examples available when I saw this one. Animal rights activists need not be alarmed I an talking about Faux (fake) furs. For those unfamiliar with the larger members of the feline family this one is a Jaguar. Please, we all know the stories about "fake Jaguars".

"Keep on keeping on"

Bj

Edited November 28, 2012 by oldcar (see edit history)

[oldcar]

Now on our hottest November day for years work continues. All that is required now is the cover for the folded top, some press studs for the side screens and the door check straps. Note rug rail and interior light. The Spare wheel cover will be adorned with just one word "Packard". On the subject of the spare wheel cover, Not covering up some dreadful accident but a preventative "stitch in time" leather patch, adjacent to the filler cap, to protect the fabric from grotty hand pieces on service station petrol hoses..

"Keep on keeping on"

Bj

[Roger Zimmermann]

It looks good, very good!

[oldcar]

Thank you Roger

As a Swiss gentleman, & knowing your tastes I think you appreciate the little things. At last the lap-rug; Faux Jaguar fur with a colour matching hand stitched Jap-silk taffeta lining. Sewing with it over my knees on a 38 degree C. day. For something to hang on the rail behind the seats, total madness...

"Keep on keeping on"

Bj.

Edited November 29, 2012 by oldcar (see edit history)

[Roger Zimmermann]

Well...it looks good but this detail was no more up to date in the fifties!

By the way, if it's too worm in you country, come here: snow is not far away!

[Landman]

Yes, we could supply you with some "cool", -20 here today. What incredible attention to detail! If your car was a coupe, where does all the hardware for the roof and side curtains come from? Is it available or was it all fabricated?

[HotWheels]

Impeccable all around! Color and detail of the side screens and wheel cover are absolutely perfect and the new light looks great!

[oldcar]

Hello Pat

I have to confess I made the top (hood) bows and sided screen frames. The nickel side screen fittings come from 'Paul Beck' in the UK. I also made the wooden patterns for the windscreen pillars and fabricated the windscreen frame using domed section brass channel.

Tom, welcome to my thread, I don't think I have seen you name before. Thank you for your compliments.

"Keep on keeping on"

Bj.

Edited November 29, 2012 by oldcar (see edit history)

[oldcar]

Hello again Pat.

If you go back to page 41 you will see that I also fabricated the seat frames and then somewhere between then and now I discuss making the wooden patterns for the windscreen pillars and then fabricating the windscreen frame using domed section brass channel. I also fabricated the replacement latches for the headlamp rims. I really enjoy every aspect of restoring cars that time has forgotten, that were neither loved or wanted. While I have no professional training or qualifications. All my "Degrees" come from the University of Hard Knocks. I get great satisfaction out of meeting all the little challenges. This is something I have done for as long as I can remember dating back to my first 1925 "Baby" Austin Seven when I was about 17 or 18, almost 60 years ago. Sadly, for many of you, I have absolutely no interest in cars of the 60s and 70s. My period is 1920 to '36. Cars from the 80s and 90s are the one that think of as daily drivers. In my opinion many of the 1950s cars are the left overs of the worst of the late 1930s. Of course there are exceptions to every rule.

"Keep on keeping one"

Bj.

Edited November 30, 2012 by oldcar (see edit history)

[Scotts_DG8]

Bernie,

Anyone looking through your thread from your first post to where things currently stand without question can see not only all the work you've put into this car but the passion too. That is one of the top reasons everyone here was looking forward to this next project after following your last one here. You have a pretty strong fan club here that I'm thinking would also have a hard time accepting your education/degrees solely from the University of Hard Knocks, I'm thinking, as other here may agree, that it's also part of your DNA. All that being said, I really love how the car has come together and am looking forward to the final touches yet to come. Scott..

[Ian_Greenlaw]

Hi Bernie,

I was thinking of you when I drove past the upholsterers yesterday. I went to pick up my daughter from school and even though I parked in the shade my car was registering 45 degrees in the shade ! I found a cool spot under my Dodge lying on the concrete floor until the sun hit the garage doors then I packed it in.

Bernie, your car is looking fantastic and the roof just makes the car all that much better. I'm now looking forward to see the job he'll do on my car's interior when the time comes.

Keep posting photos.....it keeps me going on my project.

Cheers

Ian

[oldcar]

Hi Scott

I was going to amend my academic qualifications to read the University of Life and the School of Hard Knocks. A minor change admittedly but somehow significant. Re MY next project, that is still very open to conjecture. No doubt there will be another one but almost certainly it will be a lot smaller than the Packard both in size and the weight of individual components.

Ian, your name will be very close to the top of the invitation list to the Packards "open day".

"Keep on keeping on"

Bj.

[oldcar]

Hi Scott

I was going to amend my academic qualifications to read the University of Life and the School of Hard Knocks. A minor change admittedly but somehow significant. Re MY next project, that is still very open to conjecture. No doubt there will be another one but almost certainly it will be a lot smaller than the Packard both in size and the weight of individual components.

Ian, your name will be very close to the top of the invitation list to the Packards "open day". Any other local Aussies wanting to be included send me an e-mail <two_oldlags@optusnet.com.au>

"Keep on keeping on"

Bj.

[Scotts_DG8]

Bernie,

Just to clarify my comment I bolded the points and added a bit to what I was trying say for what it's worth, "That is one of the top reasons everyone here was looking forward to this next project (The 1921 Packard Coupe) after following your last one here (The Dixie Flyer)." I'd no idea, but was hopeful, that there was going to be another future project but if there is one I can assure you that I and I sure many others here that will faithfully follow what ever project you should chose to tackle. It's kind of amazing in a way that there are some peope that you can come across in life that just knowing them at a distance can make your own life a lot more fuller. I'll just wait until you finish this car before any more chatting about another project. Scott...

[oldcar]

Hi Scott

I appreciate your comments. My BIG problem is that I am an obsessive compulsive restorer of lost causes and basket cases. Something that has haunted me all my life so I cannot see my giving up any time soon. You are welcome to come along for the ride even if it does get a little bumpy at times.

"Keep on keeping on"

Bj

[Guest PGJ45]

Hi Bernie,

good to catch up today, have just had a quick read through this and a look at the pics, fantastic!

peter

[oldcar]

Hello Peter

Good to see you all too, welcome to the AACA Forum, there is lots of interesting stuff to see if you care to explore.

I will let you know when the Packard is "at home" you may care to bring your dad over to see it, not that I expect him to understand what it is all about.

"Keep on keeping on"

Bj.

[oldcar]

Hi All

Tony officially finishes the trim today but the Packard will not be picked up until Wednesday morning. I still have lots of little jobs to do but this is a major step forward.

"Keep on keeping on"

Bj

[oldcar]

Hi All

As suggested Tony has now finished his part of the work with the exception of the door check straps but he cannot finish those until I collect the breeching cleats from the plater so I will end up fitting them and the interior door pull handles hopefully before Christmas. I delivered the remains of the exhaust down pipe and tail pipe to a local exhaust shop to have new ones bent to match. Unfortunately the tube benders that I have used for years have simply disappeared. It seems that their site was too valuable and all their repetition work was going "off-shore". I just hope that this new "specialist" is as good as he says. I will know later this week. Jimmy my friendly tilt tray operator is booked to collect the Packard tomorrow morning so stand by for lots of photographs. I think that it is looking great but I may be biased. Still lots of little jobs to finish. Enough to keep me entertained for a week or two at least.

"Keep on keeping on"

Bj.

[Landman]

I think that it is looking great but I may be biased. Still lots of little jobs to finish. Enough to keep me entertained for a week or two at least.

Bj.

With what you have done to and for that car you have all the right in the world to be biased.

Edited December 4, 2012 by Landman
Spelling, as usual. (see edit history)

[oldcar]

Another day and another Dollar (Spent) The good news is that the Packard is home again so I can make a start on finishing all those little jobs. I am sorry about the quality of the photographs but they will give you some idea. Bright sunlight outside and shadow inside do not go to make good photography. No work tomorrow a pre-Christmas social day.

"Keep on keeping on"

Bj.

[Craig Gillingham]

That does look good, especially with the low hood line.

[unimogjohn]

Bernie, just stunning. Must be great to just stand back and look at her, and be proud of what you have recreated. Now it is almost time to point her down the road. Great job! Thanks for saving another one.

[Landman]

Ditto to John's comments.

[jeff_a]

Bernie,

To go from: "it is recognizable as a car", as unimogjohn said two years ago, to "the best Packard on the continent", as I say, is wonderful!

I like the interplay between the light and dark brown tones and the entire mechanical transformation. Americans are known for valuing how something looks ahead of everything else, and I'm guilty of that sometimes, but I can see that you have gone way beyond just making it look nice.

Respectfully,

Jeff

Edited December 5, 2012 by jeff_a (see edit history)

[Scotts_DG8]

I guess you'll need your Top Hat, Tails and Doctor's Bag when your out and about. BTW, I don't think the sunshine took much away from showing just how much class this Packard is flouting about. Looks great, Scott...

[oldcar]

Thank you all for the nice compliments.

Appearances can be deceptive. I have just returned from collecting a bunch of exhaust pipes bent to match the originals along with some new flanges and gaskets. Todays temperature is predicted to top 40 degrees C. so while lying on a cool concrete floor may sound tempting, cutting, filing and gas welding are all "no no"s on days of "total fire ban" so I have a good excuse. I have also just received the two new repro tail lamps to be mounted on the rear numberplate board so i will have something to do.

"Keep on keeping on"

Bj.

[oldcar]

Well I am not sure if we got to the predicted temperature but regardless the tail lamps are now mounted on the number plate board and the wires coyly peeking out around the spare wheel. In the second (smaller) photograph you may just be able to make out the electrical junction box mounted in the channel section of the rear chassis member read to receive the wires for the stop and tail lamps. the sharp eyed people will also catch a glimpse of the original tail pipe and its new counter part awaiting my attention. The "engine" pipe is set up but will require some more minor adjustments and then a coat of hi-temp exhaust paint before it can finally be fitted.

"Keep on keeping on"

Bj.

Edited December 8, 2012 by oldcar (see edit history)

[oldcar]

Hi All

Don't panic! I have not gone away, it is just that it is "that time of year" and I seem to have lots of non car commitments. I will be back at work on the exhaust system and other things tomorrow.

"Keep on keeping on"

Bj.

[oldcar]

OK! Just one photograph but I am back working on the Packard. Our son Steve came down from the Yarra Valley to assist me with drilling and tapping the windscreen pillars for the external rear view mirrors. Since i have damaged my right shoulder I am terrified of breaking a tap off in the hole due to a muscle spasm. This afternoon I have made some real progress with the exhaust system and now have the engine pipe back to the muffler sorted out and hanging up waiting for the high temperature paint to fully dry before installing it.

"Keep on keeping on"

Bj.

[oldcar]

Anyone wanting confirmation that I am totally mad this has to be it.

I now know why the present day exhaust industry is so keen to use slip joints and flexible mounts.

I have spent the last two days under the Packard wrestling with the original muffler and exhaust hangers. The muffler required a new outer skin thanks to "careful" fork lift truck drivers but the internals are so solid I am sure that they have at least another 90+ years of life left. all joints are two bolt flanges and in the never ending quest for originality these have been retained along with the original rigid hangers. I probably have another days work fitting the tail pipe, also flange connected to the outlet of the muffler and the original cast iron exhaust outlet. With flange joints and rigid mountings absolutely everything has to be perfectly aligned.

"Keep on keeping on"

Bj.

end/hanger.

Edited December 12, 2012 by oldcar (see edit history)

[Roger Zimmermann]

Ah! the joy of installing an exhaust system...I may be wrong but, on a car from this time, the exhaust system is rather straight, with the exception of the portion over the rear axle. With rigid hangers, how is the dilatation of the system compensated?

Your adventure remind me the day I attempted to install an exhaust system on a 1948 or 49 Buick with the front tube going into the frame...The angle at the front was bad, rendering the installatin impossible. Fortunately, I had access at that time to a shop with oxygen acetylen torch. Of course, this shop was at 15 km from the car...The owner and me did several ways to correct the tubes. It was a long day (or two, I don't remember)!

[1939_Buick]

Bj

Did you get any response to the photo/text in the Sunday Hearld ?

[oldcar]

Hi

Nothing positive but one e-mail from a lady wanting to sell two Buick Marquettes I can pass on her details if you know anyone who would be interested they are in Central NSW.

"Keep on keeping on"

Bj.

[oldcar]

Hi y'all

With the Packard edging closer to completion the question of my next project seems to constantly creep into conversations I have with my friends.

This now seems to be resolved with my good friend Jim Williams offering me his unloved little Autobianchi. All I need to do is have it moved out of the woods behind his home in the north east of South Carolina. All offers of help would be much appreciated. Jim is now over eighty and while he can co-ordinate the move he will require some muscle power.

"Keep on keeping on"

Bj.

[MCHinson]

Bernie,

I am in Southeastern North Carolina, so I am relatively close to Northeastern South Carolina. Send me some information and I suspect that I can help your friend with that project.