Hi
I am sure some of you will be familiar with my thread on the AACA Forum/Our cars & restoration projects/Packard Coupe. However I still have many unanswered questions about my car. Firstly we know how many Series 1 126 Single Sixes were built BUT are there any records as to the numbers of each of the different body styles built AND to which dealer in what state cars were sold in any given year?
Then we come to the really big question... Does anyone have any knowledge as to who? when? and where? did someone cut the roof a 1923 Doctors Coupe before exporting it as a semi derelict (parts car) to Australia. This would have happened about 40 years ago. It was fitted with four new white wall tyres mounted on 23 inch disk wheels before it left. I am reliably informed that these are at least now over 40 years old. The tread is "as new".

Bernie J.
(oldcar)

Hello Mathew
Thanks for the photo of the Coupe. I don't know this particular car but then again I am new to Packards but am hopeful that it is not too late for an old dog to learn some new tricks. Talking with some friends to-day one pointed out that if the rebuild of the Single Six takes me (say) four years, then I will be 78 when it is finished. So what! I have friends who are still driving their cars in competition who are well into their 80s.
Yesterday I removed both left hand side mudguards (fenders) and the running board (side step). Today I have removed those on the right hand side. During the week I will take them to be bead blasted prior to taking them to have all the little dings and bumps ironed out and a couple of small patches of rust repaired. But I won't be sitting on my hands while that is happening. The aluminum skin has to be (very carefully) removed so that three or four cracks can be repaired while I attend to the wood frame. With that done, the next task is to build the seat frames for the individual front seats and the occasional rear seat. Of course the chassis still has to be totally stripped bead blasted and painted. Then the re-assembly can begin. There are hours, weeks and even months of fun ahead. The big thing is to do something, no matter how small or large, every day.
Oh yes I did help my wife in the garden for an hour or two this afternoon, that way I can be reasonably sure of a couple of meals each day and half a bed every night.

Bernie J.

Hello All
Those who are following my thread on the AACA Forum will know that I have now bought this Packard. and have started into its restoration. The attached cartoon from the "Old Car Illustrated" Winter 1976 edition may help to explain its present condition.

Bernie J.

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Small world! I have just bought a very similar 1923 Packard Single Six. Mine has had an even harder time than the one that your father is looking at. I am currently looking for photographs of the seating arrangement and interior trim. My car unfortunately had the roof cut off some years ago and was then left out in the open hence no seats or trim. It may be useful for us both to be able to compare notes. You could also have a look at the Fort Lauderdale Museum car on their website.

Bernie J

Thank you!
I find in the little world of old motor cars that it is amazing where help comes from. Most often it costs nothing to repay it.

Bernie J.

Hello Bill
While you were/are visiting the Fort Lauerdale Museum did you happen to notice the Dark Blue 1923 Single Six Doctor's Coupe? I am about to start restoring a similar "Holbrook" Doctor's Coupe here in Australia. It would be a huge help if you could ask them to send me some photographs of the seating and interior trim.

Many thanks

Bernie Jacobson
11 Glendora Lane
East Doncaster
Vic 3109
AUSTRALIA. <hel_bern@21century.com.au>

Hello
Having done some more research I am now fairly confident that the car is a 1923 Single Six 126 with a coachbuilt "Holbrook" Doctor's Coupe body. It is to be delivered to my home early next week where I will quickly learn the engine number and be able to take some better detail photographs. After inspecting the car again I believe that while it has spent some time out in the open it has not done a huge number of miles. Unfortunately the speedo is one of the things that is missing. While in scruffy condition there are significant traces of the original paint. I doubt that it has ever been repainted. Most of the timber in the body frame is quite sound and repairable despite being weathered
I am led to believe that Single Six cars with this body are quite rare.
I will be starting work on the restoration straight away and would be interested to hear from any other owners of Packards with this body. In particular I would like to see some photographs of the interior seating and trim. I understand that the front passenger seat is rather different.
Watch this space!

Bernie J.

Hello
Having done some more research I am now fairly confident that the car is a 1923 Single Six 126 with a coachbuilt "Holbrook" Doctor's Coupe body. It is to be delivered to my home early next week where I will quickly learn the engine number and be able to take some better detail photographs. After inspecting the car again I believe that while it has spent some time out in the open it has not done a huge number of miles. Unfortunately the speedo is one of the things that is missing. While in scruffy condition there are significant traces of the original paint. I doubt that it has ever been repainted. Most of the timber in the body frame is quite sound and repairable despite being weathered
I am led to believe that Single Six cars with this body are quite rare.
I will be starting work on the restoration straight away and would be interested to hear from any other owners of Packards with this body. In particular I would like to see some photographs of the interior seating and trim. I understand that the front passenger seat is rather different.
Watch this space!

Bernie J.

Thank You, I was looking for an e-mail contact for the Australian Club just this morning but could only find a snail mail address. Do you have an e-mail.
Once I manage to get the Packard home (early next week) I will be able to find the engine and chassis numbers and will then place all the (known) info re the car on the Register.

Bernie J.
<hel_bern@21century.com.au>

Hello
I am the little Aussie battler who is about to buy this car. It was originally a two door, four seat, four window coupe and the top has been hacked off rather crudely. Mechanically it appears to be original, complete and unmolested right down to the seventh spark plug. It is missing the speedo, radiator cap/motor meter,horn button and hand controls from the centre of the steering wheel. It also needs a spare (steel disc) wheel and rear spare wheel carrier. I would also like to find a pair of tourer/roadster windscreen posts and frame.
I believe that with a minimum of cutting and shutting I can modify that "Grandma Duck" tail into a respectable roadster body. The fenders, cowl and hood are all steel and in good condition with only very slight surface rust the doors and rear section are aluminum and are in very good condition.It still has the original toe-boards and driver's side floor intact and useable. Anyone with doubts should look at my Dixie Flyer post on the AACA forum (Our cars & restos).

As I am new to Packards any assistance and/or info will be greatly appreciated.

Bernie J.