I did return from Galena, where I spoke with Michael about this interesting topic. As he noted in this thread, I did find the article on the Aller car, written by Emerson Duke, who based the story on a direct interview with Bob. So I would say that is more accurate than any memory of mine! I will continue to seek out my pics and post them.

As for the Bob Aller collection mentioned, Mid-America Packards, through the kindness of the Aller family, has reproduced all (I believe) of Bob Aller's Packard Technical Bulletins, etc. This was a huge project, number around 1100 bulletins altogether, and who knows how many pages. We are selling them as a benefit for the Packard Proving Grounds, one of Bob's favorite topics and something he really believed in, as do many of us. The bulletins have been professionally scanned as high-resolution pdf files, compiled on three CDs, and are available through me, as the Mid-Am representative. All our profits go directly to the Packard Foundation, which handles the finances for the PPG. They are available as a set for $50, or each individual CD can be purchased for $20, checks payable to Mid-America Packards, and sent to:

Mid-America Packards
17704 Plattsburg Road
Holt, Missouri 64048

I send out your purchase in a USPS Priority box and you get as much Packard literature overload as you can stand for a while. Some of this material is Zone stuff, and not normally found among dealer bulletins. It is all Postwar, stretching from 1945 into 1956/57. Look else where in the General Forum here on PackardInfo.com for my original announcement. Buy a set - you, and the PPG will be glad you did!!

Interesting topic - sorry I haven't added to it with my photos yet. I do have a pic or two of Bob Aller's '54 equipped with the V-8, but I haven't been able to uncover them yet. Sad to say that my pics are somewhat jumbled after 3 moves in the last 10 years. The Packard that Bob installed the V-8 in is a very slick job. I don't recall the entire story, but the engine itself is a very early build, and was installed either at the end of the 54th Series run, or right at the launch of the 55th Series. As an employee with connections, Bob was able to have this done as a more-or-less sanctioned swap. The work may have been done in the shop at Jack Beebe Packard (formerly Reid-Ward), the Zone HQ here in KC. A look at the engine bay would make you think that it was actually assembled that way. The engine fits perfectly fine, with likely only minor mods. But as someone said above, to go the other way and install a 327 or 359 in a 55th Series would be tricky. I would like to compare the linear space between firewall and radiator in a stock version of both. That Str8-8 is crazy long!

As soon as I have the pics, I'll put them up for everyone. And if I can find the whole story, I'll post that as well. It may have been printed in an old issue of The Data Plate, our newsletter here.

Bob Aller Papers are still for sale, by the way! I am about to authorize a 3rd run.

I just want to say HAPPY NEW YEAR to all my Packard friends around the country and around the world. I would also like to take the opportunity to say "Thank You!" to those who have placed orders for the Bob Aller Collection. I hope you have found something new buried in there to delight you. Through your purchase, YOU have helped to make a difference for the Packard Proving Grounds and to preserve Packard history.

Jeff

Someone should contact James Kantz in Wichita... he just had a Twin-Ultramatic rebuilt at a shop in St. Louis. This shop was recommended by Mississippi Valley Packards, and apparently the guy is very skillful and adept. He is actually located in St. Charles, if I recollect rightly. I would like to know how his rebuid went, and if he is satisfied with the overall experience. We need guys like this!

Thanks for your support! I have to say, while compiling these for scanning and producing the CDs, I was absolutely astonished at the variety and detail of the documents. These give you a great peek behind the curtain, so to speak, at how Packard dealt with the dealers in the field, customer satisfaction, and promotion of product and accessories. My wife and I built the index file for each volume, and it was almost impossible to put each bulletin down and move on. I hope that everyone who purchases one of these will be as satisfied with the content as well as helping the PPG out.

High Resolution Scans of Original Packard Issued Zone, Region and Dealer Bulletins
Nearly 1100 Bulletins - Service Technical, General Service, Promotional, Warehouse, Trade Letters, Car Distribution, Parts & Accessories, and more.

Available on 3 CDs!
Vol. 1 - Technical Papers 1946 - 1950
Vol. 2 - Technical Papers 1951 - 1956
Vol. 3 - Postwar Promotional Bulletins
Easy to view, easy to print PDF file format. Each CD includes two searchable cross-index files.

A Packard employee from 1949 to 1956 and a long time member of PAC, Bob Aller was well known throughout the country and around the world for his technical expertise and his love of Packard motor cars. During that time, he accumulated a wealth of original Packard documents. Now, through the generosity of the Aller family and PAC Technical Advisor Gary Thomas, The Robert H. Aller Collection is being made available to you, with proceeds benefiting the Packard Proving Grounds through the Packard Motor Car Foundation.

Each volume is $20.00 individually.
Or buy the entire set for $50.00
Please include $6.00 for postage & handling.
All orders will be shipped via USPS Priority Mail.

Make payments to Mid-America Packards, and mail to:
Mid-America Packards
17704 Plattsburg Road
Holt, MO 64048

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I am curious about this meeting and its results, if it has taken place yet. I am in the "Kansas City Packard Club" aka Mid-America Packards. I'm not sure who the contact was (mentioned in the first post of the thread), but I would say no one has tried very hard to contact MAP, unless it is the nice gentleman that did talk to us, and met with us. (If you are reading this, my hat is off to you for the efforts) All of us are interested in the disposition of the cars and parts, whatever may be there. But it was unclear (to me) just who owns what, and who has the right to dispose of the property. It sounded to me like there was still a family dispute over how to handle it, and until that is resolved, I didn't see any way to proceed.

To answer the immediate question: Yes, the Zone Office was moved to the new location of Reid-Ward. It was in the "basement," that is, below the street level on half of the building. Bob Aller's office was located there while he served as Zone Service Manager out of KC.

To confirm the other question several posts above, the photo of the dealership shown is of the old Reid-Ward location, prior to their move in 1930. It is on McGee, and is now under the Crown Center complex. Interestingly, there was another Packard dealer very near by, a truck dealer in the '20s. It was at approx. 22nd & McGee. The newer Reid-Ward became Jack Beebe Packard in the '50s, at the same location. Mr. Beebe was a salesman (Sales Manager?) for R-W previously, and after both Reid and Ward were out of the picture, he purchased the business, running it until '56. We have members who still own the '53 Caribbean they purchased new at Beebe Packard!

Oddly, Hallmark basically destroyed both of the Reid-Ward sites. I doubt it was anything personal, but wouldn't it be interesting if someone on the Board of Hallmark were a big Cadillac stock-holder. Hmmmm.... nah. Couldn't be!

Sorry I am so late to the party here, but I have been researching various KC Packard locations for an upcoming feature in Mid-America Packards Data Plate. I have photos of several of these buildings, inside and out, and some other goodies to share. When I am ready to go, I will post those pics here to add to this very interesting section. Old dealerships are a disappearing treasure, and it is nice to document what we can!

And so goes history, with a hiss of flame... what a shame it all is.

Does anyone ever wonder if this was the future that was the alternate reality, the one that not supposed to happen? Have you ever wondered why our future is not at all what we thought it would be 40 or 50 years ago? Have you ever wondered what the country would be like if we weren't lamenting the loss of Chrysler and Packards were still rolling off the line?

I do.... so long East Grand.

Well, with two weeks to go, we are really getting revved up for Branson here at Mid-America Packards. Sorry for not logging on as often as I should to answer some of your questions.

By all means, head to any National you can make it to if time, distance and money will allow it. We have been working very hard to make it worth while, for the cost of travel, hotels, and such does make one question.

At this time, we have 12 or 13 vendors planning to attend, and over 60 Packards at this writing. We have continued to receive registrations, and nothing has been closed to registrations. All the venues are still open, and hotel space is still available (the host hotel had a few rooms open up, and the overflow hotel still has room).

Bottom line, we would love to have you come, and enjoy the meet. We have roughly 350 attendees, all of whom will talk Packard till you get your fill. We have 3 qualifying (for judging purposes) tours running from Sunday's Early-Bird through Tuesday's tour of College of the Ozarks/Ralph Foster Museum/Keeter Center luncheon. And of course, Judging at Area '57 at the Dick Clark complex.

If anyone has any specific questions, please do ask - either right here, or at our club email:

midamericapackards@yahoo.com

Our one big loss, of course, was that of Bob Aller, who was coordinating and holding our Tech Seminars. I have been working to find a replacement program, but those are mighty big shoes to fill.

One last point, more than half of our registrants are coming sans-Packard, so don't worry that you won't have a set of East Grand wheels...