Good point Parker. The "Vendor H" paint I have is a good bit lighter than the factory painted parts I have laying around.

Imron is good paint, I had a Hudson painted with it years ago and it was tough as nails. The painter said it was used originally on off-road equipment and machinery. He said the disadvantage is that if you get a run or drip you pretty much have to go back and redo an entire panel. I might look into having some mixed locally, but being in Kalifornia maybe all you can get is latex.....lol. Believe it or not, my machine shop guy said the state made him get rid of his parts washer due to "hazardous solvents"...I suspect it is now in his garage at home.

Hi Kev,

Maybe I'll give a call. I did use a wood stirrer as there were about 1/2" of thick metallic solids at the bottom of the can.

I used the same brand of paint, same spray gun and same type of thinner about 5 years ago on a 1954 359cid and it came out fine.

At $60/qt disappointments are not welcome!

Cheers,

John

Correct O_D and JW,

I have both a 359 and 374 to paint. Maybe I'll try a quart from "Vendor K"...it is about 1/2 the price and I've had good results with their other products as well.

Thanks for the replies,

John

Hi HH,

Per instructions on the vendor's website:

"IF YOU ARE SPRAYING FROM A QUART CAN, YOU CAN USE IT THE WAY IT COMES OUT OF THE CAN BUT IF IT IS NECESSARY TO THIN, YOU CAN USE ABOUT 1 OUNCE OF XYLOL OR HIGH QUALITY SLOW DRYING LACQUER THINNER."

I have also used it in the past with good results (using the same thinner). Maybe I did something wrong, or maybe I got a bad batch....??

Hi folks,

Any sources for the bronze hi-temp engine enamel used in 1954 & 1956 Seniors?

The last quart I bought from "Vendor H" (for $50.00 plus shipping) did not gloss well and curdled when thinned with fresh, name brand lacquer thinner.

I have two engines to paint and am looking for an alternative source.

TIA

John

"FWIW, the two manual transmission conversions I've seen looked really clunky, because they retained the large, low-set power brake pedal and added the smaller, higher-set clutch pedal. Hurt my eyes just to see it."

I am familiar with one 1954 400 convert with OD and Easamatic brakes......it does look clunky with the top hinged, low-set large brake pedal next to the "into the floor" clutch pedal.

I am pretty certain it is a factory setup, but it does look odd to see the clutch that much higher than the brake, with one pedal hanging and the other going into the floor.

I have an article on the 54 Pacific, which was available on special order with a weird lavender color (I forget what Packard called it) and even the wheel wells were painted lavender. The author opined that at the time, Packard would do almost anything to sell a car. It would not surprise me if they would accept an order for a manual trans Carib, but the ones I've heard of were converted by the dealer, much like the 56 Golden Hawks equipped with dual quads.

Steve Williams in Napa CA had a Carib ('56?) with three on the tree and OD. He said it was converted at the buyer's request prior to delivery by Earl Anthony, the SF dealer.

Anyone know what happened to his cars & stuff after he passed away?

Pardon me if this has already been asked and answered, but has anyone explored a non-power dual master conversion? I've owned many old cars without boosted brakes and I did not find the pedal pressure unacceptable. In fact, I would prefer that to the "throw you through the windshield with the slightest touch of your toe" super sensitive BTV system. Seems that the absence of a booster and the extra plumbing would solve a lot of the fitment issues.

I realize this would not apply to disc conversions, but I've owned several Studes, Packards, Hudsons etc and the manual brakes seem to work fine without excessive pedal pressure. To me the safety of a dual master would be more important than a booster.

"Although left completely original for these past many decades"...................

Hmmmmm, I question the originality of the electric fan with plastic blades..... but all in all an interesting ride.

Looks like it could belong in Jay Leno's garage.