I seem to recall a picture showing the last but can't find it. According to Dawes, pg 123 Sept 16, 1954 was the last 54 body off line at Connor and first 55 drove out of there on Nov 17, 1954. I would guess that would make early Oct the last Grand Ave cars so they could finish the built 54 bodies and then move equipt.

I'd be concerned the vacuum may not be able to handle the carpet droppings--unless one of the rusted spots could be left untouched for that contingency.

I doubt even in Packards heyday, you'd have found any ladies on the wall except maybe in the washroom--Conservative Packard, remember--graffiti maybe, grime surely. One of the first things Nance had done upon arrival was paint. Think one of the articles mentioned some of the place hadn't been painted since original construction.

For the price, I'd grab it. You can always paint it to match & secure with something if needed until something better comes along.

I'm wondering if there is an error in parts book. If you have a 5482 or 5485, there is a separate listing for a handle for use with stamped seat--yet the same part number is listed as for all the others and I believe that is the standard one you have.

I suspect this may fall into the "things are different for that model Clipper" problem Kev has run into many times. From your picture, I suspect you may need this type handle which packardsl has on his ebay store currently or at least something very similar.http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1955-Packard-Clipper-Seat-Knob-Green-469059-NOS-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem4a939b0854QQitemZ320303990868QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

What a nice thing to have your dads book back home.

Wonder if the jack might have been something they picked up with the merger or Stude body. No mention in the 55 or 56 accessories but is shown in the 57 acc catalog.

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Welcome and we do have a mod forum and several others with some significant changes to their cars so don't think too many will have an issue.

The housings were very prone to rust so originals are scarce but you might be able to find a serviceable one used. David Moe at Seattle Packards maybe or Mike Dulinsky (although I think he's mostly V8). Otherwise, the SoCal region of Packards International has repro cast brass for less than Kanters price. They don't have an online store and these prices may be out of date but an email via their merchants policy will work.http://www.packards-today.com/catalog.php?CID=7

I guess art and beauty are in the eyes of the beholder. Until recent budget cuts, there was a city spray truck and paint crew that went around neighborhoods taking care of similar pieces that other artists created in the night. Of course, this from someone who would not have paid a dollar for a painting of a soup can either.

Some have adapted a later or aftermarket remote fill reservoir and mounted it higher up. Packard had one as an option but originals are hard to find.

Otherwise, a funnel and long tube, crawling inside or over the fender with the bottle and pouring or maybe some kind of siphon or transfer pump from underneath are the options I'm aware of. Harbor Freight, Napa etc have those. The pump might be the easiest for filling since it sounds like you are already under when removing the cap but still wouldn't be very easy to see how full it was until it spilled over.

Also a view of a Marvel dispenser on the AACA forum from a few yrs ago. Looks like it might have been popular as others mention having it but only one picture seems to come uphttp://forums.aaca.org/f134/marvel-mystery-oil-224217.html

Elixers for lube, toilet paper oil filters, turbocharged velocity propellers for more efficient gas atomization, spark intensifiers for better gas mileage--the 50's were just full of magic potions and things sold by those who could out think Detroit. Where are they now and how have we survived without them?