Quiet ridehttp://www.quietride.com/catalog.html#other lists for a 51-4 convertible which I think would work but would have an extra hole or two up high for the hydraulic stuff. Might be worth an inquiry to see what they can do.

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There have been some nice pictures lately. The one I see in random photos right now of the convertible on stiltshttps://packardinfo.com/xoops/html/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=1000&cid=53 is a sight you don't see every day. Since it is two years old, can only hope and assume the stand was stronger than it looked.

One thing that would surely be nice is if there was a search in the owner registry. I think this was mentioned before but something technical in that module prevents it.

If you have the 10mm plug holes and long battery, Napa lists them both--(check battery length & width measurement old vs new to make sure the new will fit the holder as they are a bit larger). Some have said the battery is also available at tractor supply stores so might be worth checking if you have anything local to see if cheaper.

I would also be very concerned about the water in crankcase--

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I haven't had the issue of them pulling off unless the one you have is not exactly the correct size. Sometimes the metal has some little "half moon type barbs" approx 120 degrees apart on them that is supposed to grab the wire. If you have those, check to see if they have been pushed down.

One thing you might try is stretching the hose with something and letting them hang in the sun to see if they will lose the set. If that doesn't work then ties might be the only option. I would try and find black wire ties so you would not see them as readily. Don't think you will have much luck in hiding them. Most good electronics stores and even some larger hardware stores should have them and if not, then maybe a length of black shrink tubing and put that over the light color tie and then put the clasp under the hose. Again, most good electronic component supply stores have tubing in 3' or 4' lengths. The hardware stores might have something in the dryer vent section--even metal clamps that could be painted.

As to cutting, scissors or a knife will do fine for the fabric but the wire I usually see used is either stainless or music wire and is very hard. If you have large enough cutters it might work but can easily put a notch in a good pair and ruin them if they are too small. A better thing might be to cut the fabric and then use a cold chisel on the wire. A cold chisel, if ruined, is cheap compared to cutters.

I'm a little surprised to see nothing that looks like reinforcement in the bricks. There appears to be a horizontal tie bar between the two layers but nothing going vertical. I guess Germany doesn't have to worry about earthquakes but out here full brick construction is not the norm for homes--or really much else anymore. When it is used (mostly low one or two level commercial), there are multiple vertical steel rebars inserted every few inches and grouted in. This buildinghttp://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.johnmartin.com/earthquakes/eqshow/images/64700908.GIF&imgrefurl=http://www.johnmartin.com/earthquakes/eqshow/647009_08.htm&h=345&w=500&sz=118&tbnid=yahj8U_GyHAs7M:&tbnh=90&tbnw=130&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dcoalinga%2Bearthquake&usg=__tZ9m1bas2xFm6o4NRZ29Z18pYYA=&ei=2ILdS_CKFJDisQPg8q3aBg&sa=X&oi=image_result&resnum=6&ct=image&ved=0CCkQ9QEwBQ was a stately building of brick construction 80 miles from me but shows why bricks are now discouraged here. I believe there is a fair amount of brick construction in the southern US but is it also just laid up vertically or fully reinforced. The wooden truss support for the room looks very much like what we do.

The Chilton has a bit different take on the adjustment but Motors is about the same. Anyway, a couple aftermarket pieces for a different frame of reference.

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Or newsstands either. Guess we have to allow the extra week or so while post office walks them from VT to CA.

I'm curious what type or size attachment or reinforcement plates come with the belts for use under the floor. The seats have a large reinforcement plate to spread the force and prevent pullout for those bolt locations but what size are the belt plates. That is one thing I wouldn't skimp on in a car with softer steel and never designed for belts.

I think the dash is going to be somewhat difficult by hand unless you can find a real artist. Believe it was originally a printed process where the flat steel was patterned and then stamped to shape.

There is a company in Winter Haven, Fla --- Grain-It Technologieshttp://www.woodgraining.com/ which has a process using plates and rollers --either DIY or will do it for you-- which might be able to help -- if they have a pattern plate. At one time I believe they had something very similar but hadn't checked their site in quite a while and didn't see it today.

The basic DIY kit is not cheap but without some real talent at the end of a brush, if they have a plate then maybe the best option. Might be worth a phone call or if close enough even a trip to see what they say.

On the filter, unless someone comes along that has been there already and found a number, if there is a Napa nearby you might take your old one in. They have 38 P/S filters shown in their catalog and several look like very good possibilities--if the clerk will take the time to look thru a catalog. A couple I looked at are off by a slight bit in one dimension or the other but since there is a fair amount of room in can, just something with the correct center might work. Here are just a few off first page.

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Interesting about the missing oil filter and would be a good place to mount a compressor if they didn't want to mount over the head/manifold like Packard originally did. If so, wonder how they drove it. The only 356 application for AC I have seen info on was the prewars where it was driven off a special fan pulley. Don't think any crank pulley method was ever available but maybe possible to adapt something like the postwar setup to the damper. Guess they could have just used the single normal belt since all would be on the same side. A really interesting set of questions and holes and too bad so much evidence is gone.