I had occasion to speak with Dan Kanter today at the local Packard region's picnic about the autothermic strut pistons for V8s. I told him there was interest expressed in about 8 sets (64 pistons) of 4-1/8 + 0.030. He was not suprised that the interest was so small, and indicated the minimum run in any particular size is 200 pistons, and at that run length the price per piston would be about $55 each, and of course that would drop somewhat with higher production runs.

So I guess we're a third of the way there and hope more interest surfaces.

No first-hand experience here, but I read some years back that the optimum reflector plating for headlamps was rhodium, a semi-precious metal of the platinum family. Though no doubt more expensive than silver and perhaps not as easy to find a source, it resists tarnishing and was claimed to have the same "color" response (i.e., spectral color) as silver.

Not to provoke you into a tirade on the topic, but there are those of us who value authenticity; I find the lights on my 34 Eight to be more than adequate as long as the reflectors and resilvered occasionally and have good wiring.

Now that you've had your fun and humor, let me bring us back to the original topic for a moment, has anyone made a replacement for the original die-cast lock adapter (the piece with the pin that lifts the latch actuating rod, part "B" in the Service Counselor letter on the trunk latch)? I really don't want to use another half-century old piece of die cast and was looking into making a replica in bronze or another tougher metal but it appears a bit too complicated for my skills. And having one cast in stainless doesn't seem a good idea as the 7% or so shrinkage could be a problem with the square hole and other dimensions. Thoughts?

Here's just a few photos from PAC's Henry Joy Tour in the Finger Lakes of New York, somewhat over 50 Packards in total. Next year's tour will be at Saratoga, New York, hope to see some of your there. Note the unique directional signals on the 1940 120 sedan, said to have been manufactured for export. It also has factory AC, extremely rare in a junior Packard. You'll also find frequent correspondent to these pages Mr. Randy Berger with car at Watkins Glen, and my (Owen Dyneto) Caribbean getting a fuel pump change on the way. Also of note is the black 1940 one-off formal by Derham.

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Many thanks for the ideas guys, and especially to Randy Berger for looking at his stripped 56 convertible to see what access to the trunk was like. The operation was simple and successful. Should anyone else ever have this problem, best way is to remove the rear seat cushions, then the lower valence (upholstery snaps),then remove the cushion frame support (2 phillips head screws and 7/16 nuts each side. Then you can remove the bottom of the well liner (2 phillips screws). The opening into the trunk is quite large, not enough for a human being but plenty large enough to remove much of the luggage and tools. About 55 inches of socket extensions and 7/16 socket easily removed the 2 bolts on the inverted "U" latch bar, and viola! The failure mode was the off-center pin on the end of the lock cylinder which retains the latch lever snapped off.

Thanks guys, you've given me some hope for other solutions. And just to make it more interesting, the trunk is pretty full of luggage and spare parts boxes, and my Service Counselors are in there also! Figures. And it also has the plate added to keep the crest vertical. Lots of extensions sounds like the best idea.

Curses! I can't open my trunk (56 Caribbean). I suspect the little machine screw fell out that holds the link to the lock cylinder. The crest rotates normally, just doesn't release the lock. This is a convertible and it doesn't look to me like you can get into the trunk via the backseat, but I'd appreciate confirmation of that. Also any other ideas. At the moment the only idea I have is to drop the gas tank and cut a hole in the trunk floor to get access. I'm guessing that removing the license plate bracket and trying to carefully use something between the trunk lid and lower body riser is futile? Looking for someone who's been there, done that. Thanks.

Although Dwight was involved in past tours I don't believe he had any involvement in this one, the organizers were East Grand Packards, the New York region of PAC. The organization has been just impeccable in every way. And yes I'll post some photos later.

Greetings from Randy Berger and Owen (Dave) from the PAC Henry Joy Tour in New York State's Finger Lake region. Fine weather, fine friends old and new, and about 51 Packards participating, including 4 pre-1930, about 8 1940-41, and a gaggle of postwar including many V8s. For Randy and myself, though coming from opposite directions it will be about a 660 mile round trip plus about another 350 or more in local touring. Cruise in the Erie Canal yesterday and day after tomorrow an event we're all looking forward to, a chance to take a few laps at Watkins Glen.