Mark your calendar for the 30th Annual Florida Packard Club Meet, Sunday, November 11, 2805 Sarasota Golf Club Blvd., Sarasota, FL. No judging, no admission--just lots of fun talking with Packard folks and viewing some of the finest American cars ever built. Reasonably priced food is available on the premises. Bring your Packard!

Extra Bonus: "Your Packard Hit Parade, 2nd Edition" featuring Packard enthusiast and theatre organist John Clark McCall at the Wurlitzer. This free show on Saturday, November 10, 2:30 p.m. will be performed on the Wurlitzer installed in Grace Baptist Church, 8000 Bee Ridge Road--just a quick ride in your Packard from Sunday's show field. McCall will feature popular hits from selected years of Packard's existence: 1899-1958. The instrument--one of the finest in existence--received a major restoration and enlargement after removal from the Florida Theatre, Jacksonville, FL where it was installed in the nineteen-twenties. No admission charge.

Come join the fun!

For further information:

941.371.0070
flpackardclub@webtv.net

229.560.7540
jcmdc@windstream.net

Photo: John McCall serves as house organist at the Rylander Theatre, Americus, GA where he is pictured with former President Jimmy Carter and his First Lady, Rosalynn.

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The suggestion that a future Packard be built on an AMC body for me, is unworthy in many respects. AMC never had the resources or the good taste to fabricate quality interiors. Just look at the 57 Nash--still equipped with "tack on" armrests and a steering column that looked like a periscope on a submarine! And, in later years, AMC became the plastic king in terms of dashboards and other interior fittings.

Now, if by 1966 there was a desire and movement to bring Packard back, I can't think of any American car of that era that was a better candidate than the 1966 Imperial. Here was a quality luxury car in every respect. I own one, so I am biased; but one look at my original Crown interior will convince you of the quality. My headlner, real claro walnut inserts, abundant cast chrome fittings, and supple leather is most convincing--and certianly a match for Packard's quality through 1956. The exterior is of this same quaity with a die-cast grille that, if anything, exceeds what Packard was doing in its last Detroit year.

Here is a suggestion as to what the 1966 Packard Patrician and the Four-Hundred might look like. (Note that the rear of the Four-Hundred is rendered on the right using the existing 66 Imperial tail light housings--placed vertically.

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Agreed! Can't wait to put the vermillion, white, and gray leather in the interior! Packard really woke up in 1955 and through 1956 left us with a legacy of truly fantastic color and interior choices...just like the printed materials claimed.

Hey, Jim...thanks so much for your positive comments. We were a little timid in making the decision to introduce the Naples Orange but it really gave a little "Caribbeanesque" flair to an otherwise funereal Patrician color scheme! When the interior is done, it will all make a bit more sense.

Sorry, you misunderstood my detail on the headlight pods. I am simply calling for a continuation of the top stainless trim feature to extend onto the pod (which would remain painted). My rationale was to help the appearance of length on the shorter wheelbase and to emphasize the mid-secion feature of the car (in the spirit of the 56 version).

In any event, thanks for taking the time to examine these details!

"Featuring Packards"? My Yes! Last year, in conjunction with the Florida Packard Club's annual meet, I was honored to do the first edition of "Your Packard Hit Parade" featuring hit songs selected from 1899-1958. These were performed on the Forker Memorial Wurlitzer Theatre Organ (one of the finest instruments in the world) in Sarasota, FL, just a few miles from the wonderful Packard display field provided by Tom Kaiser.

If you would like a copy of the resulting CD, please send check, cash, or money order to:

The Florida Packard Club
Attn: Tom Kaiser
2805 Golf Club Blvd.
Sarasota, FL 34240

CD's are $20.00 each and all proceeds benefit the Florida Packard Club.

"Your Packard Hit Parade, Edition II", will take place Saturday, November 10 at 2:30 pm, Grace Baptist Church,8000 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota, FL 34241. No admission charge for the concert or for the fabulous Packard show the next day!

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Yes... someone is working on a 58 Caribbean--at least in their twisted mind! Please see link below. I apologize for the colors which somehow got way off after I scanned this relic. But most of you Packard boys have Dover White/Roman Copper/Danube blue memorized. Actually, in the more accurate parlance of SP's paint colors in 1958, the scheme would be:

"Parchment White"
"Waterfall Blue"
"Canyon Copper Poly"

This would be a very easy transformation (it already has a "hood scoop" on the hood!),and the standard fabric of the hardtop was quite similar to the woven upholstery on the 56 Caribbean. With some changes in the leather bolsters in a combination of coordinated blues and off-whites, the interior could be stunning and a suitable continuation of the Caribbean design intent.

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Well, prayer works! The 56 Patrician asked me this morning where I would like to go and promptly went into gear with no hesitation. This has happened before. Could this pushbutton "no go" situation be caused by some relay being energized after we fooled around with the battery cable? In any event she's working fine now and good thing, because she is the "gateway" to the access of our other two Packards in the back yard! Thanks to all who pitched in and helped with my "Saturday Problems"!

Hey...already done several days ago under my partner's handle: "Touringcarman".

Thanks...problem solved; we were just being a little timid since we are "New Backyard Packard Mechanics"!