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.

Don't know how close you are, but one of your countrymen is in the process of doing a 48 closed car now. He might be able to answer a lot of your questions as to where and what as well as give you references.https://packardinfo.com/xoops/html/modules/registry/index.php?Action=view&ID=413

Don't think he started a restoration blog but do a forum search for his posts under his posting name meaarch and you can see what he is doing. Maybe you are even close enough to see it in person.

I think it looks pretty decent. Like the turn signals.

As I mentioned earlier, there are any number of places that will go through the radio and bring it to like new condition--Replacing capacitors are almost a given, and they will use whatever tubes they need and can find--originals if OK, NOS, or import-- just depends on how much you want them to do or how much you want to pay. Here is one who does restorationshttp://www.bobsradio.com/ and has been a vendor at various Packard meets on the west coast. There are many others closer to you and surely even in UK, you can find places.

The 48 radio will not fit a 52. They are totally different configurations. There is also a difference between the 48 and 50. Although they look similar and fit in the same space, the controls are different.

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