A ZIS 110 is just passing thru Northern New Jersey on its way back to Russia via Stockholm. The deal was brokered by a Packard friend of mine who deals extensively with the Packard folk in Scandanivia. It's a green convertible sedan (parade car) with the "handlebar" behind the front seat for the parading standing dignitaries to grasp. I'll get a few pictures next Tuesday and add them to this post. This will be the 5th ZIS-110 I've seen, not too bad for an American.

I agree about the Rotella (prior to the ZDDP reduction) 15-40 being a very good oil, I've used it in my 56 Caribbean for a decade or so, original untouched engine with now 90,000 miles; great oil pressure, no noises, no smoke. Several of the oil "gurus" we've had speak at our local club meetings have said that 10W-40 is probably the worst choice (perhaps in a higher mileage engine though they didn't say that) because of the extreme use of viscosity extenders. Can't say that I agree to disagree with them.

I'd be glad to make the measurements for you, just tell me exactly from where to where you'd like it taken. My car is a closed car (open cars were different?) and has the standard steering column support, though there was atleast one optional one to change the dimension a couple of inches.

PS: Top center of steering wheel to closest point on the dashboard, 3.5 inches. Bottom center of wheel to closest point on the lower dash edge, 17-1/2 inches.

I'd select detergent oil as well, but as others have pointed out only after a thorough cleaning of the oil pan, pump screen, and perhaps the valve lifter area. Detergent oil is almost a necessity if your engine has hydraulic lifters.

Last time I took a radio out of a bathtub it was a long time ago, maybe 35 years and I don't remember the details except that it was a snug drop below the dash, but otherwise an easy 15 or 20 minute job. Whether the heat duct has to come our or not I don't remember but it's only a couple of screws anyway. I have a distant memory about some obscure fastener somewhere, you haven't said if the radio is free to wobble in the dash or not - if not I suggest you look further for another bracket or fastener, or perhaps as has been suggested the rubber has vulcanized itself to the dash.

Good question! And a bit of uncertainty though others may come along with something more concise. Also as the louvers were an option on various models (build code FL) and as subsequent owners seemed to love to either delete them or add them, what's absolutely correct isn't clear to me. I've looked at the factory photos and comments in the Nat Dawes book which indicates that in 1951 they were std only on the Patrician (3 of them), and that in 1953 the Mayfair 250 pre-production picture shows 4 but in actual production they were deleted and the pre-production 1953 convertible also had 4 but states they were deleted early in the production run. The option list for 1951/1952 says they were standard on the 200 Deluxe, 250 and 400 and not available on the 300, though this could have been changed and there may be a dealer letter to that effect somewhere. The 1952 Patrician pre-production photo shows 4 of them. I suspect precisely what happened is lost to history, and of course anyone who wanted them could have a dealer install as many as he wanted. So I think you can do as you wish and find something to substantiate whatever choice you wish to make.

I agree West, I had hoped it would end up at the Proving Grounds, but at least it has found a home within the Packard family and open to the public. And let me repeat again my hope that all who love Packards find a way to make some form of contribution to the Proving Grounds, it's very worthwhile and needs our support if it's to thrive.

The Packard Proving Grounds Foundation which I hope all of you are supporting had hoped to be the successful bidder. I haven't heard but will check their website and edit this is I hear anything.

Dave

There have been several very informative articles on White House Packards in the PAC magazine The Cormorant over the years, in particular I recall a few by Chuck Flinchbaugh who is a bit of a historian on this topic. Some of the photos he used have been seen before but there was one that was new to me and I'll try to see if I can find it and post it here later, it's FDR emerging from a 41 or 42 limo, at the Lincoln Memorial I believe. What caught my eye on this photo was the scuffed and blackened front right whitewall tire, no doubt the result of the chauffeur trying to get as close as possible to curbs to easy FDR's exit and entry.

It must have been great to have listed to those two older Packard owners years back, don't you wish you had a tape recorder back then? I also missed an opportunity at the PAC Centennial celebration in Warren in 1999; there were perhaps 18-24 retired Packard Detroit factory workers present, and I only found fleeting moments to chat with a few of them - what they knew and remembered is perhaps now lost to history. If I recall correctly, one of the many very moving moments at the Centennial was when these fellows, put out of work by the plant closure, were given Packard retirement pins made by PAC in lieu of the recognition they should have received at the time. Boy, I wish I could have cornered every one of them for an hour or so with a recorder!

My condolences to those who missed or couldn't attend the Centennial event, the emotions, the people, and the cars including some we didn't even realize still existed were almost beyond description.