sanford, My ambitions are not nearly as great as traversing Africa, but I am trying to get the Clipper ready for a trip from Austin, Texas, to Port Townsend, Washington, (and back) this summer. It should be quite an experience. Meanwhile, the car is sitting in the 40 degree garage awaiting the completion of the first phase of the recommissioning, getting the cooling system back together.

A few years ago I met a group of Lancia owners/drivers who were driving the length of old Route 66 from Chicago to Los Angeles. They shipped the cars by boat from Italy to New York and then back home from L.A. after the tour. There were 15 or 20 Lancias from late 1930s models to modern ones. The U.S. tour was their drive that year. They have also driven from Italy to the Arctic Circle, around North Africa, and all over Europe. This is a serious group of drivers. I can put you in touch with a person from the club if you are interested.

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Most of us probably already know this, but the shifting mechanism is called a pre-selector. I am not sure who originated it. As described, the gear is selected but it is not engaged until the clutch is depressed. It is electrically operated with a motor to move the selector. Tucker probably opted for this system due to the complexity of a mechanical linkage to shift a rear mounted transmission. This system was (first?) used on the 810-812 Cords, and it was installed on other makes too. I have seen this system on pre- and post-war Delahayes (French). It is a neat system. Perhaps someone more knowledgeable about this system can fill in the blanks. I also think the Tucker convertible is a most attractive car. It looks like the restorers did an excellent job. Thanks for sharing.

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Further discussions with the seller revealed that it is a T-L suspension equipped car. Other data shared:

5562 8103
Paint: MR - White Jade (M) and Sardonyx (R)
Trim: 41 - Gray and Black fabric

Seller says engine number matches door plate number.

For those interested, I have been given permission by the seller to post his contact information:

Steve
281-296-0351
steve@candlestickforum.com

Since the car is T-L equipped, I am no longer interested in pursuing it. Go for it!

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All of the above is for the 1955 Clipper Custom on eBay, per my original post on this thread.

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Yes, it is a TL equipped car and I want a standard suspension Clipper. Thanks

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The seller told me the car was originally white and black. This car has many inconsistencies that I am aware of plus the many commented on by you all. And, thanks for your observations and comments - much appreciated. Anyone in the Pittsburgh area like to inspect the car for me? It would be good for the whole community to have the car QA'ed.

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Randy - I was referring to a special Automotive News publication that celebrated Packard's 40th anniversary. It was distributed to dealers in February of 1940.

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I found five copies of The Herald-Press newspapers from St. Joseph, Michigan in the trunk of my 1947 Custom Clipper. The newspapers date from August 2, 1947 to September 2, 1947. The mailing label on the papers had the name of a D.W. Potter in St. Joseph.

Thinking that Potter may have been the original owner of the Clipper I started a search to locate him. This search was not successful. Later I learned that the newspapers did not come with the Clipper, but probably from a 1939 Twelve that the father-in-law of a previous owner of the Clipper had bought from Potter. I guess the newspapers were placed in the Clipper because of their date. I offered to return the newspapers to the previous owner, but he thought they better belonged with the Clipper.

I wish Potter had been the original owner, and I could have located him or his heirs.

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My 2010 Packard resolution is to complete the "recommissioning" of our 1947 Custom Super Clipper Touring Sedan and take it on a long trip from Austin, Texas to Port Townsend, Washington - and back.

The car had extensive mechanical restoration performed in the mid-80s and has been driven about 1,000 miles since then. All the systems need a thorough going through to make sure they are road worthy. I am finishing up the cooling system and then will turn my attention to the brake system.

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JT, okay so the model number was on the original post. Now I understand. Strange.

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HH56, the seller claims the car has conventional suspension. I have asked him to verify this with a photo. I too noticed the finish condition of the oil filter. The engine color is wrong and is a bad respray.

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