My next project? 1921 Packard Coupe.

[oldcar]

Thank you for your support OCF

It has been my life long passion, saving basket-cases and lost causes that has kept me perpetually poor! But then again I have become rich in knowledge and attracted a virtual fortune in friends and acquaintances. Added to this I have been blest with a loving and supportive wife who enjoys motoring in old cars and is a great navigator. This is borne out by the fact that this year she won the VSCC of Australia's (Vic) "Most Successful Navigator Award" against a field of very experienced and enthusiastic males. After 50 years she still looks forward to the Clubs competitive events. Our next the "Alpine Trial", three days of hard mountain driving.

Bernie J.

[Ozstatman]

The BIG question now is "Who is going to make the 1,000th post????

Bj.

And the winner is.....drum roll please.....Bernie J!

[oldcar]

Hi Mal

Many thanks, it had to happen.

I hope that it is a big cash prize. I have just ordered three hides of Connolly's Leather.

Bernie J.

[oldcar]

The saga of the running boards continues. The linoleum is attached with the help of Tony my super trimmer. There is no way I could have stuck it down satisfactorily without his assistance. The aluminium trim is cut to size with mitred corners and now the left hand side "board" is almost all bolted up.

If anyone who has not done a full restoration is wondering why these things take so long and cost so much money the answer is simple. Just look under here. To save you the trouble of bending over, I have taken a couple of photographs. The first the underside of just one section of running board. the other two containers. The plastic pot originally held 100 1/4 inch UNF X 1 inch bolts and nuts, the cardboard box held 200 flat washers and 100 spring washers. Each Valance to running board bolt has two flat washers (one each side of the flange) and a spring washer under the nut. Mr Packard sure did not want any squeaks or rattles! The Aluminium trim on the outer edge of the running board is to be secured by 3/16 UNF Raised head countersunk stainless steel screws and nuts again with flat washers and spring washers on the inside.

Bernie J

Edited March 20, 2012 by oldcar (see edit history)

[oldcar]

One hour later......

Donald, while it is neither Black or Beige, once the front fenders are fitted I think that my choice of Brown linoleum will be more that justified. I am told that it will actually darken with use. We will just have to wait and see.

Bernie J.

[oldcar]

Another day another dollar....

First task to day is to go and collect the door cappings from the French Polisher. Having spoken with the foundry this morning they are pouring the bronze for the windscreen pillars later today so they should be ready to collect on Friday. The next task is to turn the car around so I can fit the right side running board.

Bernie J.

[oldcar]

Hi all

I cannot help thinking that many of you, with your huge barns, fully equipped fancy workshops, acres of land, and unlimited manpower, have absolutely no concept of how I work. When I say that I have to turn the Packard (no light weight) around so that I can work on the other side. I mean exactly that. I can only work on one side of the car at a time! Turning it around means turning it in basically its own length using a small trolley jack and the manpower of one 75 year-old. They say that a single picture tells more than a thousand words. If I take it outside the area of the carport I have a struggle to push it back up the incline in the drive-way........ Regardless, at the end of the day there still has to be sufficient room for the Bosses' VW in the carport too. Now I can get on with fitting up the right-hand side running board.

See below.

Bernie J.

Edited March 21, 2012 by oldcar (see edit history)

[TexRiv_63]

Hi all

When I say that I have to turn the Packard (no light weight) around so that I can work on the other side. I mean exactly that. I can only work on one side of the car at a time! Turning it around means turning it in basically its own length using a small trolley jack and the manpower of one 75 year-old. They say that a single picture tells more than a thousand words. If I take it outside the area of the carport I have a struggle to push it back up the incline in the drive-way........

Bernie J.

Another reason we continue to be amazed with your project and do not miss a post... Have you considered a set of those dollies that fit under the tires?

[oldcar]

Have you considered a set of those dollies that fit under the tires?

Thank you Don for the suggestion.

But I would miss out on all that good cardiovascular exercise. I did make "transports" to move the engine and the body. I have given the engine "dollie" away and I am about to cut up the body "transport" as I do not have the space to keep storing things that will not fit into a used Yogurt container. In fact I have just about run out of space for those and I make our own yogurt these days so don't have a regular supply of containers.

I collect the petrol tank today and so move one steep closer to having the Packard drivable. My policy has always been not to start engines until I can sit in the car and drive it. I have seen and heard about too many "Accidents" with temporary fuel supplies.

Bernie J.

Edited March 21, 2012 by oldcar (see edit history)

[oldcar]

No more work today!

Helen & I drove the Lagonda Rapier out into the Yarra Vallley for lunch at a winery then home, stopping at our favourite strawberry farm on the way. Round trip of about 60 miles, lovely sunny day, a mild 24 degrees C.

Back to work tomorrow.

Bernie J.

[oldcar]

Friday is always a messy day at our house with the weekly marketing to be done and all those things that pile up for the end of the week. This afternoon I finished fitting the petrol tank and having bought the leather it was time to do some more work on the front seat frames. These are just about ready to go off to Tony for him to work his magic on. Sorry nothing worth photographing but with luck next week should see some progress. Only problem is some medical appointments on Tuesday and Wednesday will break up the week yet again.

Bernie J.

[oldcar]

All the absolute purists out there had better look away now!

Below are todays photographs of the seat frames ready to go off to Tony for upholstery.

A quick look at the original factory drawing for the Coupe seating plan will explain the apparent strange shape of the seat cushion (the bit you sit on).

With my seats the squab (the back rest) folds forward to permit access to the rear of the passenger compartment.

All I can say to all those people sitting at their computer going "Tut Tut" just wait a week or three and all will be revealed.

I can say positively that they will not be having coil springs and horsehair upholstery but then again I don't go about wearing knickerbockers.... I am not about to make my front seat passenger sit on a little "tin" folding seat as per the original either!

Bernie J.

Edited March 24, 2012 by oldcar (see edit history)

[oldcar]

Just one more quick photograph for today, another step towards completion, the petrol tank is now installed and the main petrol pipe connected. What is missing from this photograph?

Apart from the exhaust pipe? My next little job is to fabricate the spare wheel carrier. Please can anyone supply a photo or diagram of a disk wheel spare wheel fitting for an early 1920s Packard.

Bernie J

[Ben Bruce aka First Born]

Amazing, Bernie, simply amazing! Seats look great to me. I am looking forward to the finished product. I believe The Packard Company would have approved!!

Ben

[oldcar]

Hi Ben

I wish I had your confidence in my ability.

No work on the Packard again today. Out enjoying some fresh Autumn air in the Lagonda Rapier again. Talk about slack! With one thing and another taking up my valuable time I really don't think that there will be too much happening before Wednesday.

Bernie J.

[oldcar]

While there has not been a great deal to report ( Spent much of today having a CT Scan of some of my plumbing) I did manage to collect one of the front fenders from Dave. I can only fit one at a time in the Peugeot. It is temporarily sitting in place. Tomorrow (Wednesday) morning is to be devoted to sorting out more medical issues, people who have known me for in excess of nine years will understand. I should be able to retrieve the last of the fenders in the afternoon. I also managed to collect the castings for the windscreen pillars too but they still require some machining and polishing before they will be ready to go to the platers.

Bernie J.

[jeff_a]

Coming together nicely! Nice the way the brown running boards amplify the brown body color. I always liked the way those Packard engines looked in green, too. Isn't your engine 289 cu. in. with about 60 h.p.?

I found a 20s Packard Single Six engine at a neighbor's place under a piece of roofing tin, if you know anyone needing a spare, but it's missing the beautiful bronze & brass carburetor yours has.

[Guest donald ellis]

Jeff! Donald Ellis here. Does your friend's engine have the original Generator cut out? I know someone who would like a good original to replicate. These are made by Atwater Kent and the cover is cast spelter which, as you know, perishes badly. regards, Donald

[Guest donald ellis]

Bernie:

Your car is really lovely! I agree that the brown running board goes well with the body colour. I think I see that you have not lagged the exhaust down-pipe. I had vapour locking issues with the Autovac located right over the hottest spot on the car. Congratulations on a great restoration! Donald

[Guest donald ellis]

Bernie:

I don't see a vacuum tank on the latest pictures. Do you plan to use one for petrol supply? I tried at first to by-pass it on my car and use a low pressure electric pump. It didn't run well until I restored the Stewart Warner Autovac, Donald

[oldcar]

Hello Jeff

Many thanks for your kind comments. regarding the spare engine. It is a bit too far away for me to collect added to this I really don't go in for collecting spare major components. I believe that if you rebuild something properly it should last. Hoarding spares in shed very often prevents an other enthusiast from completing a project. If there is some one who can use it then the forum is doing its job,

Hello Donald

My generator is an Atwater Kent but I have a Remy cutout. This is possibly a period replacement as it only has one fixing screw. I am hesitant to drill and tap the case for the second screw. Regarding the Vacumn tank I have one ready to put on the car but I have to make holding straps for it. It is slightly smaller diameter than what I believe the original may have been but this is the one I have. I have been right through it and believe that it should work. It is another case of needing a roundtoit.

The exhaust pipe is the original. the entire exhaust system will need to be replaced as it had suffered at the hands of uncaring forklift truck drivers during the cars 50 odd years sojourn in a Custom's Bond Store. I have noted your comments regarding the need for some heat shielding and fully agree. This will probably be one of the last jobs to be done on the car.

Bernie J.

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

[oldcar]

Back to work having been told by my Specialist medico that "It was all a storm in a tea cup" I just wish they would tell you this first instead of putting you through a couple of weeks of torment. For those that do not already know I am a cancer survivor. Anyway as I said "Back to work". Just yesterday a parcel arrived from my good friend Ben Benson. At first I was a little disappointed, the contents were exactly as Ben had removed them from the donor car. The dash lamp was a matt black and the cigar lighter about the same. Now after a morning at the buff, the dash lamp looks very different. I have yet to dismantle the cigar lighter and restore it back to its original glory. Meanwhile I have cleaned up the bit you see and fitted it into the "spare" hole in the dash. I still have to clean up the speedo cable and remove the "toe board" so I can fit it too.

This afternoon I must get back to fitting the front fenders. The right hand side one is almost there.

Bernie J.

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

[oldcar]

Another quiet day, went and watched some Ladies Golf with Helen A lovely warm 28 degrees C but with lots of shady trees on the course.

Ordered more nuts and bolts. This time to hold the headlamp bar and the hood securing clips etc so some progress I suppose. They should arrive by express post on Monday. I intend to sit down and calculate how much I have spent on Screws, Nuts and Bolts in the last two years, but first I have to do a drawing for Tony for the seats. The Hood gets painted this weekend which will be the last thing to be painted. No not quiet I still have to take the wheels off and remove the tires. I am still looking for a diagram of the rear spare (disk) wheel mount. Just a rough sketch or photograph would do. ANYTHING!

Bernie J.

[oldcar]

While on the subject of the hood and the associated hardware I am also looking for one (just one) of the spring steady's that mount under the post for the hood closure clip. See photos below. Condition is not all that important as long as it is in one piece.

Thank you.

Bernie J.

[Guest cben09]

Just for those others reading this,,,,Atwater Kent Co, is alive and answers the phone at Worcester Massachusetts,USA

And even better,,,is friendly toward their old products AND even competitors similar products ,,

but of course need to charge in order to keep the door open,,

Nice website too,,

They also make a ?? replica of a early A-K radio reciever,,,,OR should we call it late production,,,haha,,Ben

[oldcar]

Another fun day fitting and adjusting the welting in the four fenders. I know this does not sound like a big deal but it has taken almost all day and I am exhausted! Jacking up and removing wheels and then replacing them to move on the the next one.

At least the job is done now

Bernie J.

[oldcar]

Re; the spare wheel carrier, Chris Wantuck has very kindly sent me photographs and measurements from his Series One roadster and another Packard owner from South Australia has a spare from a later series car, so one way or another it seems that another problem is solved.

A BIG thank you to all those who took the trouble to contact me.

This afternoon I should be able to collect the four finished hood panels.

Bernie J.

[oldcar]

As it turned out Dave has not finished painting the hood so now I am concentrating on more small parts. The mail brought another parcel of slot head metal thread screws and the dome head bolts to secure the headlamp bar so I can fit the hood clips etc. Fitting the long thin trim panel that covers the chassis rail and holds the hood clips involved lifting the front of the body. One gets the impression that in the factory the cars were built from the ground up with the body going on after the valances and front fenders etc.

Sorry about the reflections but that is just the way Dave's paint is.

Bernie J.

Edited April 2, 2012 by oldcar (see edit history)

[Scotts_DG8]

Bernie,

Still following along and enjoying every post. You know looking at that paint job one would think that you should get at leat an additional 5 MPH on the top end while your out driving through the hills and valleys.

Everything appears to be coming along just fine and as one would expect considering the person doing the work. Really like your color scheme and I too am looking forward to seeing it finished. Scott...

[Ian_Greenlaw]

Hi Bernie,

I'm still alive !! Been a bit tied up at home with landscaping ( we've just had a bobcat here for a week fitting 50 cubic metres of rockwork in ). Next step is the excavator. I haven't been near my car for a week and its killing me !

I've contacted Dave and he'll be painting mine in July as he's in the process of buying the business. Love the reflection in yours !!!

Must catch up soon, maybe if your around over easter.

Ian

[oldcar]

Hi Scott

I am glad that you are enjoying the ride.

Ian

Apart from Sunday we should be home all weekend.

More fiddly little jobs today soldering the new wires into the globe holders for the head lamps and similar pesky jobs. I have 38 little 1/8th inch metal thread screws to secure the central hinge onto the hood. I only have the dreaded Phillips head screws. Is it really worth the time and trouble to fill each with solder or bronze then cut a slot or can I simply leave them. The alternative is of course to use those, Oh so convenient POP RIVETS.

Bernie J.

Edited April 3, 2012 by oldcar (see edit history)

[oldcar]

I just love all these little jobs.

Todays task is fitting the hood (bonnet) lacing to the cowl. Just how to spread the split rivets from underneath while holding them from the outside will be "interesting"...

Bernie J.

[Landman]

Bernie,

Let us know how you manage that without a helper. I'll likely be in the same boat soon....I hope.

[oldcar]

Hi Pat

I have just made an executive decision, my life partner Helen is going to help me. Failing this I am going to have to use stainless raised head self tapper screws and cup washers. I have used split rivets at the radiator shell so these are my first preference.... In the short term I will use a spot of instant glue between each rivet to secure the lacing.

Watch this space.

Bernie J.

[Roger Zimmermann]

Bernie, there are some jobs which just cannot be done alone! Fortunately, I could relay either on my life partner Christine for some help or the man who has a space in the same barn where my cars are located.

As somebody song: " With a little help from my friends" (more or less correct wording)

[oldcar]

Hi Roger

Certainly at times there are some jobs that may require assistance. I get some sort of perverted sense of self satisfaction from managing to do tasks that may take two or more lesser people to achieve. For instance, I managed to lift the freshly painted Packard body off its "transport" and on to the chassis single handed and without the slightest scratch, much the same way that I installed the engine and gearbox un-assisted. I have a huge circle of friends and acquaintances but I hate to feel that I may be imposing on their time. I have spent a life time discouraging people whom I consider time wasters who "drop in" for a chat and a cup of tea or coffee. Some people may say that I am anti-social, however I see too many people who never achieve anything because they spend all their time being "good hosts". It is only by simple determination and perhaps "Bloody mindedness" that I manage to do complete restorations while other people are still talking about what they are "Gunner-do".

Love me or hate me I am not about to change!

Bernie J.

[Landman]

I think you should stay exactly the way you are.

[Roger Zimmermann]

I have spent a life time discouraging people whom I consider time wasters who "drop in" for a chat and a cup of tea or coffee.

To drop a painted body alone was certainly not an easy job; I suppose you did a good planing!

About unwanted visitors: the front door of my "garage" is near the main road of a rather small village. At first, this door was open to have light and some heat as outside temperature is mostly above the one from inside. The result was people coming in with questions (more or less always the same) and usually at a time when I had difficulties or problem with something. After a short time, the front door was/is always closed when I'm there, cutting the unwanted visitors flow.

[oldcar]

Having finally gotten around to doing a trial fitting of the front seats and after some discussion with Tony, I discovered that I had probably not allowed enough for the thickness upholstery at the sides. This is one of the potential traps we fall into by sometimes doing things out of order. Not that it is such a big drama and given another day the problem should be solved. The first is nearing completion and having sorted out the solution the second one should go even quicker. Much better to find out now than after they were finished.

Bernie J.

[oldcar]

I actually managed to collect the two top sections of the hood late this afternoon so I now have all four parts and can assemble it tomorrow. Once the lacing is in place around the cowl I can finally fit the hood the last thing (except the wheels) to be painted. I still have to locate the four little buttons that go, two on each side of the hinge, on the top of the hood to stop the top sections from touching when the hood is fully opened.

Sorry, that is clear as mud but people who know early 1920-30s cars will understand.

Bernie J.