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Re: Unleaded gas
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While I've been aware of this scientist and his work for many years, this is a very lengthy article. A much shorter, but just as informative piece was done in video on the television show, "Cosmos" with Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson in recent years. While it was a wonderful thing that lead has been removed from gasoline and that the environmental levels of lead are now on the decline, things sometimes go much too far. There is nothing like fanaticism in reforms or rules. A good example is that not long ago I was prevented from buying a beautiful mansion that was built in 1850. The reason? The VA inspector going through the house to approve the loan said he "discovered lead in the paint"!!!! Imagine that. A house built in 1850 with lead in the paint. Wow. That "discovery" by the VA inspector popped the balloon with the VA underwriter 10 days from the close of escrow... and that was that.
Posted on: 2018/5/27 10:29
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Re: modern paint mix for old color needed
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I've mentioned in postings about lacquer and its ability to be revived. But automotive lacquer was not all one thing. There was nitrocellulose lacquer and then there was acrylic lacquer. For instance, 1960s GM cars like my 1964 Oldsmobile Starfire convertible and my Cadillac Eldorado were painted in "Magic Mirror Acrylic Lacquer." But Packards were painted in nitrocellulose lacquer. Also in the 1970s there were various twists in other kinds of automotive paints. For instance everybody doing restorations by the late 1970s was swearing by Imron. And while the color in question may not be metallic, many, many people today and in recent years look at mica paints and presume incorrectly that they are "metallic." And the cloth-with-lacquer thinner trick/test may not always work-especially if the paint has been sealed or clear-coated. Pic a spot that is not easily visible to try your test. As I have always said, a good automotive paint wholesaler/supplier (especially one with a retail outlet) ought to be able to match anything. My favorite in SoCal in the 1970s and 1980s was Betz Speed & Color (no idea if they are still around).
Posted on: 2018/5/21 19:01
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Re: 1955 wire wheels
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As Owen said, Motor Wheel Company was supplier of original postwar wire wheels to Packards starting in 1953. Until recent years it was quite rare to see wires on any 1950s Packards-especially V8s since they were expensive when new and few people ordered them. However, since the introduction of reproduced wire wheels, it is almost a common sight now to see a postwar Packard equipped with wire wheels. There are presently far more post-WWII packards running around now with wires than there ever were when new. Repop wires are slightly different and some have stainless spokes. Of course the center hub covers are painted instead of using the original reflective Scotchlite red hexagons.
Posted on: 2018/5/8 22:43
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Re: Odd Hood Ornament Similar to Cormorant
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Like I said... a knock-off with plastic wings that were illuminated. Probably made by Gem. They made a bunch of these. Wings came in red, pink, green, yellow, blue and possibly other colors. This would certainly not be an Earle C. Anthony ornament. And there were two categories of ECA radiator/hood ornaments: 1.) Designed for retail sales to Packard customers... Examples of this would have included a cast peacock and the combination cast & tubular or wire bird with flowing wings that were a radio antenna. 2.) Designed/intended for ECA staff members only and not sold to general public...Example (comical) would be a cow standing on its own udder with a slogan around the base saying "So you think you've got troubles?" Dreamed up by EC himself. I have one of these ornaments.
Posted on: 2018/4/19 17:36
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Re: Odd Hood Ornament Similar to Cormorant
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There were lots and lots and lots of aftermarket hood ornaments that imitated the Packard bird ornament. These knock-off aftermarket ornaments were made for decades. Some had cast bodies with sheet metal wings. Some had fully cast designs. Others had cast bodies with plastic wings-some of which went as far as to have a bulb inside to illuminate the wings. Most were universal-fit, but some were made for cars... some were made for motorcycles and some were made for bicycles. And there were several varieties of these sub-catefgories of the sub-category! So anything is imaginable. Probably the most prolific of the manufacturers of these ornaments (all of them) was a company called Gem Manufacturing out of Illinois. No idea if they are still in business. I have several of their old catalogues. Of course you can also find knock-off Packard ornaments in J.C. Whitney, Western Auto and Pep Boys catalogues, as well as other retail outlets that sold automotive items. Try turning the ornament over and take a good, clear photo of the underside. There ought to be a maker's logo under the bird.
Posted on: 2018/4/19 17:01
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Re: 1955 Packard Caribbean Convertible
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Appreciate your appreciation of this Caribbean... and I love the originality of it. No one could possibly love it more than I do. Loved them since they were new and remember them in the showroom. First... check to see if the suspension is set to the "ON" position (toggle switch under the driver's side of instrument panel). Then wait 7 seconds and see if the system kicks on and levels itself. Otherwise something's amiss.
Posted on: 2018/4/1 21:51
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Re: 1955 Packard Caribbean Convertible
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Yes. Of course. Completely understood about the "possibly(s)" but merely wanting confirmation. Especially since photos were taken with the car posed this way-hiked in the rear and down in the front. And I've sure loaded and unloaded my fair share of V-8 Packards on trailers over a lifetime. So is the suspension working or broken?
Posted on: 2018/4/1 20:39
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Re: 1955 Packard Caribbean Convertible
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The question that remains unanswered: why is this Caribbean hiked up in the rear and squatting down in the front? Is the suspension broken? Or?
Posted on: 2018/4/1 19:49
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Re: 1955 Packard Caribbean Convertible
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The two holes on the glove box door would have been where the original owner's special brass or brushed stainless plate was affixed. Two studs on the back of the plate held it in specially-drilled holes and were retained on the back site by Tinnerman nuts. Not all Caribbeans had this plate unless it was ordered by the original owner using a form supplied with the car.
The plate stated as follows: This Custom Built Caribbean Made Specially For (Name of owner) Studebaker-Packard Corporation Usually when the original owner sold the car or traded it, they removed the plate and kept it.
Posted on: 2018/4/1 19:35
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Re: Albert Kahn & Detroit Architecture
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Great stuff. Thanks much.
But just for the record, the real name of the aquarium would never have been "Belle Island" but rather "Belle Isle" which always was and remains the official name of the park. All signage and official names were always "Belle Isle" and it is by this name that Detroiters always knew it. By the way, many of the Packard official photos of cars taken outdoors away from the plant were often taken on Belle Isle. Many were near the famous landmark of Scott Fountain- where Ed Macauley seemed to like to take photos of his creations.
Posted on: 2018/4/1 16:31
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