If you have an eye for detail, patience, enough space, access to a commercial or heavy duty sewing machine, and a little talent you could probably do it your self. If there is enough of the old left to get a complete pattern from, I think would be the most important thing for a first time do it yourself job. With the price of material though, would make very sure I had those covered. I had mine done since I have only a couple of those requirements but have met folks at shows who did credible jobs.

My upholsterer said the Packard pattern (54 Pacific) was a bit involved with some stitching methods not commonly seen they had used for a certain look. Apparently there are also extra panel pieces under the fabric he normally doesn't find that are sewn in such a way as to apply a bias so the fabric remains straight. I don't know enough about upholstery to say if that is true or was just chain yanking to justify the price. If you are still looking to do a convertible, then expect it is just as involved if not more and if restored properly, leather is probably not something you would want to mess up.

That is the mystery oil lubricator. Except for a junkyard or possibly ebay, they are NLA.

On a Marvel forum, the rep has replied that since they no longer make them they recommend the Ampco unithttp://www.ampcolubes.com/index.php?content=products for those wanting similar and Ampco recommends the use of mystery oil in them. Of course, downside is they don't have the vintage look.

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Merritt sells the individual gaskets at $75

Dwight Heinmullerhttp://packardparts.org/parts.htm has them at $80.

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That's it. Surely you could incorporate some of those features on your speedster.

What Eric needs for inspiration is that contraption I just saw on a Modern Marvels episode entitled Chrome. A monstrosity with almost every square inch chromed and powered by a PT boat engine. Big "Packard" on the covers. Believe it was called the Chromemobile but haven't found a picture yet. Owner said it gets 1 mile per gallon for those who are complaining about their Packard's 10-15 mileage.

Lincoln had it for 1949. Could Packard have done it a year before Lincoln or was there some big advancement that happened for '49?

49 Lincoln type surely could have been done. I thought you were speaking of the 55-6 curved or wraparound. I believe those deep curves were not really feasible until around 52-3.

The curved windshield is an interesting idea. Don't think I have heard that mentioned. Believe glass curving was not very advanced then and wasn't feasible for mass production until the early 50's so that might be one reason it wasn't tried.

Believe the hydraulic lifters were an option. One of the service counselors alludes to that when reminding service personnel to stamp an H on replacement blocks so equipped.

Interesting on the electric fuel pump. Don't think I have ever heard of one starving--usually just the opposite so the flooding is very believable. I think the usual cause is too high an output pressure which the floats can't control.

The original mechanical pump specs are 4-5psi and 1 pint in 45 seconds. Unless the electric pump is worn out, would expect all could do that so wonder why the starving. Any chance there is a hose collapsing with suction or a too small or clogged filter in the installation. If it still has the ceramic filter near the carb, that would be an excellent place to look. If they varnish up from gas evaporating while sitting, you can blow air thru but it can't pass required flow with engine much above an idle. Been there, had that.

If the electric is plumbed thru the mechanical pump, there is a screen in the bottom chamber that might have clogged. There have also been reports of floating debris in gas tank that gets sucked near the outlet pipe pickup and throttles the flow.

Congratulations again on becoming a proud owner. May it be a well behaved addition and not always asking for something. Since you're a veteran though, you know that won't happen and the "I mighta well do it's" will be forthcoming.

The 10-73 ohm Whitney aftermarket has gone up to $60. For $10 more, might try the S-F34 Ford unit from Classic Car auto partshttp://www.classiccarautoparts.com/gastank_sending_units_ford.html or if price is wrong or is NLA then Quanta Products list the same unit for $85.http://www.quantaproducts.com/product/6360/1957-59-Ford-Passenger--1957-Thunderbird/SUF5759.aspx Both those units are direct drop in for the 51-6 Packard and you wouldn't have to do the modifications on the aftermarket.

I haven't looked but believe someone mentioned Napa having a unit that works for around $100.