Finally received all my woodgrained panels back. Started assembly of the dash already, but it is very hot here so working during the weekend days are not nice.

I am satisfied with the end result. The pics dont do it justice as the flash interferes. Also after installation I will polish away all the fingerprints and water stains. I paid approx. $300 which is steep! But at least it looks more factory than my hand painting trials and errors! Now I can start putting the interior back again. Hope to have it finished soon. Cant wait to go for a drive....

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I am still waiting for my woodgrain parts to come back as the supplier struggled to get the actuator combination right. At last everything seems to be working now and I got the first finished window surrounds back. I think it looks great with the clear coat applied and it will be very durable. It seems there is someone in Texas that can do this process as well although the initial product is from Taiwan. I hope to get my dash back this weekend. The foots are bad. Will get better one sover the weekend.

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Wow! this is interesting info! I did not know that the paint was radio active. I would really like some of this paint but I presume sending it by post to South Africa will be a problem? What if they pick up on it at the customs department? They might think the Americans are sending nuclear watse to Africa!! Haha!

I have modern radials on my car and can remove the inflated tyre after the skirt is removed. Really not an issue....
I have Monroe shocks - matched from the originals in the spares shop. Will get the number for you if I remember...

My tyre size is 235/15 and is as close to possible to the original 8.00 x 15 as per the Coker tyre calculator. Nice wide and fat tyres. You do have to let the axle drop a fair bit so I carry a small hydralic jack (made in china for this once in a while purpose - haha!) I keep the bumper jack as a momento as it will scratch my chrome!

Here is a picture of the old cross ply tires compared to the new radials as well as a picture of the new Monroe rear shocks.

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Yes, working under the dash is hard even for a younger guy!

Mine is removed at present for refurbishing the wood grain. So hopefully it will be easier to install all the bulbs etc. These bulbs are rather dim? I mean you cant see them in the daytime?

Because of laziness and a total lack of artistic skills i decided to research a shortcut solution to woodgraining my dashboard.

I found a guy locally that uses a Taiwanese product to put fake carbon fiber look on to newer cars of the young guys.

He also has a wood effect and here is a picture of the trial run. It will be the first time he applies it to a old car so we are experimenting. This is the cubby hole cover. I am happy with the result and durability as it gets a clear coat lacquer.

What do you guys think keeping in mind this is a trial run to get the wood effect colors matched toi the original?

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Thanks! The paint and interior will not be original, but at least it will be usable! I am now busy with the dash and window frames, a Taiwanese product to get the woodgrain effect?? Hope it works out. Will send pictures.

Mal, this is the biggest event in South Africa, approx 3000 cars attend, but that is for up to 1980 models, so you might find a Mazda rotary engine 616 from the 70's there as well. This is the first time I have seen a Packard at the show. I dont know the owner. I hear that the car was a total wreck. It also sports a BMW straight six engine!!?? I will try to get some detail for the register.

I received my leather upholstery and would like to share some pictures. I am very satisfied with the results and the pricing wasnt bad either. (Leather from Italy!!!) Like to get your comments. I have now also removed the whole dashboard and is awaiting a trial run from a company doing wood graining here locally. Will only install seats after I refitted the new dash.

Also attach some pics from the Pretoria cars in the Park. This is the biggest car show in South Africa. Me and my dear friend Hennie (the guy in the cowboy hat!) went. There was only ONE Packard though! Hopefully next year we will organise a Packard convoy to this meeting.....

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Yes indeed we did have a nice get together. Only Ron can drive his baby at the moment. As soon as me and Bill get ours running we will definitely have a braai (bar-bQ?) and put some photos up. Also hope other South Africans will crawl out of the woodwork as I am sure there are many more around.

Hi william

I wrote to your e-mail yesterday.

I luckily did not have to redo my engine so I am no great help with engine matters. However, I did have to replace my thrust bearing. If my engine is at all comparable I found a replacement bearing from a Isuzu pick up. I can get the part number for you if you want. See your Inbox for my detail.

Cheers
Barrie