Mechanical type pressure gauges are generally based on the "bourdon tube" mechanism, not "Bordon". Google "bourdon tube" for more info, very elegant yet simple.

The Utica plant engine number prefix will tell you if a particular V8 engine was built with a flywheel or a flex-plate. There was no available Utica code for a 5688 (Caribbean) motor with a flywheel and I believe the same was true for 1955.

Some years ago I purchased a very nice quality 2_ply indoor cover from Auto-Chic in Dover, NJ and I highly recommend them, the fit was perfect. You'd have to check with them to see if they have the patterns for a 1953 Caribbean.

973-989-9220

I don't know about that era but prewar, around 1935 and prior, factory rebuilt short blocks were painted Crane Gray.

I would hope they are still available, the Steele part number for a pair of the rubber cups is 30-0292-11. They were used 1933 thru 1939 on the Senior 8 cylinder cars.

That driver's side snubber appears to be the same one they used for many years. I'd consider disassembling it and replacing the rubber cushions.

I agree with JD with the exception that the very early 356 engines perhaps being green may not have been limited to just some of the convertibles. My very early 2252 had a green engine with no evidence that it had been overpainted in later years.

This analysis by the Smithsonian shows which Packards were in the White House fleet and their time in service. Especially during the war FDR was very often filmed riding the in the 1939 Twelve convertible sedan.

The 1932 Twin Six phaeton he used when Governor of New York is still in the New York State Motor Pool fleet and was used rather recently in the opening of the new bridge over the Hudson at the Tappan Zee. Perhaps I have a pix of it.

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  32 905 Gov FDR.jpg (94.36 KB)

The vehicle at about 6:20 appears to be a 1941 "160" convertible sedan, a 1477 or 1477DE.

Anyone want to take a shot and enlarging and sharpening this "of the era" photo to see what it may show with regard to the coachman's loop?

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  55 Carib at USAF .jpg (1,655.34 KB)