packardaustralia.com

Dirtfarmer wrote:David et al
We old car people must be a dedicated bunch. A few minutes ago I could have been seen on some high racking in the back of my implement shed in my underwear with a yardstick in hand- at five A.M. in the morning yet. Or maybe we're just nuts........

Ross,

It's like this the world over, old car people are normal the rest aren't, therefore this is normal behaviour.

Dirtfarmer,
Those dimensions are the same as my Sport so no problem. If it wasn't from a Sport the vertical dimension would have been 28 5/8". Sounds as though the radiator recore was not done very well. The core only should show.
David

David
I smell a rat. 3/8 inch of the top tank shows below the centre part of the rad shell and it is not supposed to. Tanks do not grow. Rad shells do not shrink. Do you suppose that the tank or tanks from (missing) rad of the 2nd series 133' parts car ended up in the "sport" shell? In other words my next question would be how did Packard achieve the two different heights? Did they use different tanks? Is there any other explaination?
The missus and I are leaving early friday morning for the auto flea market at Barrie, north of Toronto. Then we're heading to northern Ontario to visit friends there.We just bought a new (actually "used") tow vehicle for our small travel trailer and we are anxious to try it out. Sort of a "dry run" to get ready for Hershey.
R.M.

RM,
My radiator core and shell came from a 133" and I cut 2" out of the sides of the shell at the bottom just above the radii. This was after obtaining the correct dimension from another Sport. The top and bottom tanks on the Sport are identical to the other models, the core is 2" less in height. So I cannot explain the anomalies with yours. Maybe someone has tried to adapt a core from an entirely different car,
Hope the "new" tow vehicle does the job.
David

Good Morning
It is thursday A.M. and we are home safe and sound. The Barrie "flea" was a bit disappointing because it has gone from 90% auto parts to 90% non auto-related stuff. There was very little to interest a person who likes pre-1930 cars. One man had a 20's Packard rad and shell but it was the tall model, it was poor condition, and he wanted $350. I passed on that one.
We did find a Dyke's manual dated 1921 with a supplement on the twin six. Good shape, ten bucks. and a factory Canadian parts book for my '47 Dodge truck, also ten bucks. Also a handy dandy windshield post mounted spot light with rear-view mirror for five. I bought all three. Oh, yes. Also a wheel rim that is identical to the 20" ones on my sport except it is a half inch narrower. I'll use the lock tab off it on one of mine. The flea didn't cost me much but our bill for Gasoline for the week was a different story. regards..................R.M.

Ross & David,

Here's a link to the Packard Buy/Sell Forum on the AACA Site for 23" wheels/tires for a Twin Six. I know they are "not correct" but thought I'd throw them in anyway.

http://forums.aaca.org/ubbthreads.php/u ... els#UNREAD

All the best
Mal

Mal
Thanks for the tip about the wheels. I have not yet contacted the person about them because, frankly, I'm not sure that am serious enough about buying them. Let me explain why I am (still) wrestling with the decision about changing wheels.
When I bought my first antique back in the early '60's the current philosophy was cut and dried- restore to original and do it as if you were preparing for judging. Anything less and you were regarded as something akin to a hot-rodder. Those were the days of cheap labour and lots of available parts. We all worked toward the goal of 100% originality.
Now, nearly a half century later, I have come to the realization that there just might be a place in the hobby for a first series Packard with 20" wheels on it. Modern eyes, used to looking at fatter tires on vehicles, might find the look more pleasing. The fatter tires might also give the car a more of a "classic" look, not unlike the more desirable later '20's Packards. Most importantly, this change is NOT PERMANENT. No damage has been done.
This opinion, If nothing else, should at least add a little contraversy to the forum.
Regards............R.M.

Dirtfarmer,
I agree with your comments about the wheels, I too started with the same view on authenticity, the object was to restore the car to the way it was when it was first delivered and I would still do the same today if it was practical but with your Sport unless you find a set of the correct wheels at reasonable cost then the only sensible thing to do is restore it with the wheels (and new tyres) that you already have. As you say no damage is done and who knows a set of 24" wheels may turn up one day. If you are happy with it then that is all that matters.
I was also interested in your experience at the flea market, I wonder if ebay has/will do away with the need to go to swap meets. Having said that I would go to Hershey every year if I could afford it, even if I didn't need anything.
David

David.
Hershey is an excuse for a holiday, a benefit that e-bay simply does not offer. Southeastern Pa. is nice country to visit and we never tire of just wandering around the area sightseeing. Plus, my OTHER hobby is water-powered mills and there are still lots of them standing in that area. We camp (read that "sleep") in a trailer park that is 20 mins. from Hersheypark. On the rainey days we tour.
Mal.
Thanks for the tip on the wheels. I broke down and contacted the man. He got back to me promptly with pictures. The wheels are wood spoke with wood fellows, complete with tires, and they appear to be in very good condition. The fronts are 10 spoke and the rears are 12. My car has 12 spoke on both ends and that spoke count seems to be original. I think that I will just decline on this set.
Regards..........R.M.

Gents,

'21 on eBay at present

Mal

It is nice to lay eyes on a Packard touring that is still all in one piece- and in this case, apparently, mostly original. It is notable that the high bid is presently just a bit over half of the asking price. The bid, no doubt, is the better indicator of the true current value of such a car. Usually the old car market "improves" when the investment climate gets shakey. It should be interesting to see what happens with the U.S. prices in the next little while, don't you think?

Regards.....R.M.

Ross & David,

Here's a link to the Spanish Packard Club.

There are some early 20's Sixes listed and pictured in "Registro" and "Nuestros Coches" respectively.

Enjoy

http://www.packardclub.es/