Hello JW,

You listed Ford as a manufacturer of Merlin engines, I suspect you mean Ford of England as Henry Ford refused to build the Merlin in the USA. FOE produced Merlins at Trafford Park, Stretford, near Manchester and total production at Trafford Park was 30,428.

You also listed Continental. Only 6 development engines were made by Continental Motors, whereas Packard produced 55,523.

Graham Kozak's article briefly mentioned the issue of thread sizing.
Fromhttp://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/antique-machinery-and-history/merlin-engines-rolls-royce-packard-thread-systems-265742/

"An often asked question is; "did Packard replicate the British thread system when they built Rolls-Royce Merlins under license during World War II?" The answer is yes; all threads that were used on the Merlin were accurately replicated by Packard. This would include BSW (British Standard Whitworth), BSF (British Standard Fine), BSP (British Standard Pipe) and BA (British Association)." ..." The job facing Packard when they undertook manufacture of the Merlin was daunting to say the least. It's bad enough having to build a complex product like the Merlin but exacerbating the situation was the fact no tool maker in the U.S. made Whitworth taps or dies. Therefore, Packard were forced into making their own. Although this created a significant hurdle to overcome, the effort was well worth it, Packard and Rolls-Royce components were interchangeable."

BTW, Graham Kozak is a member of Motor City Packards and a volunteer at the PPG. You can read more about this young man here:https://autoweek.com/authors/graham-kozak

Thought I would let everyone know the disposition of the Egyptian hood ornament. When Paul (r1lark) wrote his original post, I knew exactly what he had and sent him a PM. I asked if he would be willing to donate it to the Packard Proving Grounds. After much consideration he agreed to do so.

We had a little excitement as it took an extra-long time for shipping during the holiday season, but the ornament finally arrived at the proving grounds in great shape.

Before it arrived, we knew which car we wanted to mount it on - a 22nd series, 1948/9 Custom Eight. The car was generously donated by the family of PAC member, Elliott J. Bayly of Duluth, Minnesota. By the way, Mr. Bayly also donated a 1948 Station Sedan and a 1942 Super Eight, Clipper Touring Sedan this past year.

As you see the car is finished in Serpentine Green and has a correct green wool interior. I believe the car color accentuates the uniqueness of the Egyptian hood ornament. Now we have another story to tell our visitors that Packard had more than just cormorant and winged goddess of speed mascots in their inventory.

Paul donation was to honor the memory of his grandfather (Anthony J. Warta, Sr.), his father (Anthony J. Warta, Jr.), and his uncle (Clarence E. Warta) who all were Packard dealers.

Many thanks to Paul.

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Yes, it is true. We were one of several SE Michigan auto museums that won Challenge Grants from the MotorCities National Heritage Area - a partner with the National Parks Service.https://www.motorcities.org/ . As a Challenge Grant, MCNHA refunds us $1 for every $5 we spend on restoring the projects we cited in our grant request. We did ask for $25,000, but their budget is limited and there are other museums and we can receive $10,000. Again, this is a refund deal - we need to find and spend $50,000 in order to be refunded $10,000 from them.

We have a lot of projects that we want to complete over the next few years. For example, we want to get the Engineering/Tank Test Building back into shape. Eighteen years ago, we put in new, thermopane windows, removed asbestos from the steam pipes, rebuilt the roof decking and covered it with a new roof, thus making it weather tight. We need to add heat, air-conditioning, improved electrical service and meet all current ADA and building requirements. A quick estimate indicates that bill will be $1.5 million.

We can use all the help you can give us to match the Challenge Grants and meet our mission.

Happy New Year, --Roger--

Thanks Howard,

Yes, that is what caused it - a string of numbers separated with periods.

Here are the delivery photos.

Also see us on FaceBook.https://www.facebook.com/PPGHistoricSite/

--Roger--

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Hello Owen,

Earlier today you said, "... I suspect the chassis is or will shortly be on its way to the Proving Grounds."

Well, the chassis arrived today at under our Christmas tree at the PPG with help from Santa Claus and a few of his elves. This is perfect timung as we just won a cash grant of $1,500 from the MotorCities National Heritage Area to create an audio/visual display explaining the engineering advances of the T/L suspension system.

Thanks for helping out on the restoration. We owe a deep debt of gratitude to Ole' Book and his crew for this wonderful gift.

Many thanks to all involved.

P.S. Can't post some photos due to a security concern. Some will post, others won't. Hmmm...

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According to this article, circulated by MotorCities National Heritage Area, there is another Tucker tie to Packard.http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?m=1101695151836&ca=b6e1c006-5083-4000-b327-20d2f4c100b8

Under the heading: "This Week in Automotive History"
"Tucker started in the auto industry as a mail messenger for General Motors. Before age 30, he was vice president at a Packard dealership in Indianapolis, where he met a racecar designer named Henry Miller. Together, they discussed how to build a truly great automobile and teamed up to make racecars for Ford in the 1930s."

Merry Christmas!

Hello All:

YouTube videos of Bill Robinson have been posted on YouTube in the past few days. Bill was an auto designer with Briggs Body Co. in the early/mid 1950s and created many design studies for Packard. Some of you may have met Bill at the PAC National Meet in Columbus in 2018 were he gave a lecture one evening.

Last summer the folks from Clasiq Car Stories spoke with Bill at the Packard Proving about his career. The framed images used in the videos are original, hand-drawn artworks that Bill did at Briggs. In 2016 Bill donated all his Packard designs to the PPG.

I hope you enjoy his story:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dubmHG2SBkk

Several other 1 to 2 minute shorts can be found here:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkNAqzXiE6ZUQgeRD9qXakA/videos

Bill is a real gentleman and a true treasure.

--Roger--

Hello Matthew,
Great work. I am sending you a PM.

Thanks, Roger Luksik

Some great looking Packards there!

Pet peeve of mine: damn shame that 1941 convertible instrument panel was painted incorrectly with the body color. To be correct, it must be woodgrained in burled walnut.

Only time the instrument panel is not woodgrained is when the optional, Multi-tone upholstery was special ordered. And even then the instrument panel was not body color, but rather the seat color.

Hope you had a nice time - I missed it this year.

That, BY FAR, is both the saddest and most hysterical interior I have ever seen in ANY car.