Yes, but probably more correctly, since the reserve tank and booster is connected via a check valve to the intake manifold, the air in the booster is evacuated to the intake manifold when the engine is running, from the reserve tank when it isn't.

The actuation of the TreadleVac vacuum system follows the pattern of the earlier Bragg-Kliesrath (later bought by Bendix) system used on senior Packard Eights, Super Eights and Twelves from 1933 thru 1939, whether on the mechanical system (thru 1936) or the hydraulic system. These systems were pretty much bullet-proof as many still work today 70+ years later with little or so service required. A similar B-K system was used on many heavy duty over-the-road trucks thru the 50s and perhaps even later. In these sytems, vacuum is held in reserve in a vacuum storage tank, and when the brake pedal is actuated the vacuum enters the chamber of the booster. I believe the distinction you're thinking of is that in most modern units of later design, the vacuum reserve tank is actually part of the booster body.

According to the Appendix in Turnquist's book which most folks have found very authoritative, the 1937 Super Eight production was initiated on September 3, 1936 and production ceased on September 29, 1937. Nothing particularly unusual about this, the same basic pattern give or take a month on either end was pretty much followed for the next 4 decades.

Buick used the same starter switch system with the accelerator for a number of years as well. Some other unusual ones were Chevrolet (under the clutch pedal) and Nash (pull the gearshift forward in neutral). Perhaps the moral of the story is that it's a good idea to read the owner's manual when you buy a car you're not familiar with.

Obviously since an electric fuel pump wasn't a necessity when the car was built, it's not a necessity today though some folks like them for backup. You say gas is getting to the carburetor but don't say if it's actually getting into the carburetor which, based on your description, would seem to be the problem. I'd suggest pulling the top cover off the carburetor and checking for a stuck needle and seat or other internal problem.

The Lily Pons car has been well documented over the years in several Packard Club and other publications and I do not believe that Dan Topping was ever an owner. I've also seen a photograph some years back of the Dan Topping car in some hobby publication and if I stumble across it again I'll try to add to this post if it's still active (and I remember!).

Want to narrow down the year(s) of interest for us?

The "raised roof" as you call it was common on almost all ambulances made on these extended wheelbases, and certainly not exclusive to Packard. But lesser known is that Packard offered a raised roof, 2 inches as I remember, on many of their sedans from at least 1933 thru 1942. These are often called "high tops" and were for the crowd that still believed you should be able to wear you top hat in the car. I've only seen a few of these over the years, one a 1941 or 42, and the other a 1934 1108, currently in Norway (pix below). Buick also made a very limited number, the most notable being the sedan made for Queen Elizabeth's visit to Canada in 1939.

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Yes, thru the 40s and 50s the non-oil bath elements consisted of a spiraled-like mesh of copper turnings (like long lathe turnings) contained within a steel retainer made from perforated steel sheet. The oil bath type generally used horsehair.

On the rare occasion when these need to be replaced and you want to keep authentic appearance, most people and restoration shops just form a new one from "Chore Boy" copper kitchen pot scrubbers, almost indistinguishable from the original if you work carefully. And don't forget to keep it well-oiled.