I have to say that once again, the Texas folks put on a great meet. I had a terrific time, saw lots of friends, and many, many cars, including several I had never seen before. Thank goodness for digital cameras, for I could have never afforded the film.

My one regret is that somehow I managed to NOT meet Big Kev, although I was assured that I had "just missed him."

It is my opinion that this car was one of the several pre-production units built during the latter stages of the Torsion-Level development program. The timing of the run was right, since these final prove-out units were built and run at the PPG for durability testing the summer of '54. I could be mistaken, but it makes sense to me. I can almost hear someone saying - while we're at it, let's go for a record!

It was probably the year before - I get fuzzy on dates sometimes. Time passes all too quickly. I can't believe I have own our Patrician for half my life. The chassis was indeed on a trailer, so I'm quite sure it was yours... and it was superb work.

Oh, I'm always out here without saying much. I enjoy these forum topics greatly. The more communication, the healthier the hobby!

It certainly was an oddity. By comparison, our '55 Clipper Constellation looks perfectly well throughout the system. That's why I questioned corrosion effect, or other abuse to the system. Or... and it's a big OR, were there compromised brackets out there. I had hoped to alert T-L equipped cars to the possibility that certain brackets may have issues that need attention.

By the way, I have been reading the thread and viewing your photos of the suspension rebuild on your Clipper, and Michael Franko's tools and assistance. Very, very impressive! I wish I had been able to do that way back when. Is your chassis the one I saw in Salado last spring?

For what it's worth.. I was 23 when I bought my '55 Patrician. I just simply fell in love with it, but that was after reading about it in Collectible Automobile the previous summer. When I saw it for the first time I knew I had to have it. My dad, who was in his early 40s and a child of the 1950s, thought I was completely mad. Huge, hulking, difficult parts to find, not a drag strip challenger. Made no difference to me.

I will be 50 this spring, and still have my Patrician, plus... other Packards. I love them all, but even I worry about the future of them and the hobby. I don't think the issue is Packards, per se, but rather that our culture has shifted. Kids are being taught that automobiles are a necessary evil, at best, and killers of the world at worst.

But hear me: every year I get older, and I find something to love about things that are ever older, whether cars, or music, or art. When I was 16 or 20, music from 1928 did nothing for me, nor did brass-era cars. But now... I think differently. It is very easy to look at ourselves as we are now, and forget what we loved when we were 16. As much as I worry, I think that the 16 year olds of today will come to appreciate the cars we cherish, if they are exposed to them and can learn from them from someone that loves them.

That is why we, at our local club, are starting a program with the local student chapter of the SAE, at UM-KC, to promote our Packards, and the hobby as a whole, to the very people that will turn to them when they are older. I encourage everyone to get their Packards out, and drive them whenever they can, and make sure they are seen as bona fide machines, and not museum pieces.

Hi all,

My main reason for writing the article in question was to encourage non-mechanics (like me) to be more diligent in inspecting their cars, and watching for issues that don't jump right out in your face. What had been diagnosed as a bushing problem turned out to be a much more severe (not shocking) problem. Poor bushings won't turn into a serious driving or service hazard, while a broken bracket would be catastrophic for the unsuspecting. How many times did I lube that car and never noticed the problem? Many.

I am very interested in the photograph above of a broken bracket, and it compares to my broken bracket (not pictured in the article) curiously. I may not have written the article for the CNB had I not owned two (2) Patricians with the exact same old weld. It all made me highly suspicious, and thought it worth sharing with as many as I could.

I have to say that I enjoy this forum and its many discussions, but I also love being a part of the club. To each his own, and being part of both worlds has its advantages. I have no idea if the CNB editor would allow a reprint if enough folks here think it worthwhile.

Happy New Year to everyone here!

For what it's worth, Mr. Ultramatic himself, Bob Aller, always, always used Dexron/Mercon type ATF in his rebuilds. I have used this type ATF for 25 years now with excellent shifting in both our V-8s.

As for the Power Steering dipstick - there should be one, but they are usually lost/missing it seems. If you haven't looked in the bottom of the bowl, it could be resting down under the surface. Make sure your filter is well covered if nothing else!

I may be mistaken, but I believe there is one of these amazing engines on display at the Pioneer Village out in Minden, Nebraska. Need to double check on that! Packard held an in-flight record with the Radial Diesel.

I had a marvelous time, and tip my hat to Packards of Chicagoland for a terrific week. It was like an oasis in an island of heat - 100 F in Kansas City, 80 in Galena, then back to 100 in KC. I should have just stayed there!

I'm posting my favorite pics (the 1920 Twin Six on the road), but I have more if anyone wants to see them. No sense repeating what others have posted!

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