Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

Interesting short video especially to those, like me, not familiar with this suspension system.
http://www.macsmotorcitygarage.com/2016/01/31/video-packard-torsion-level-ride-how-it-works/

Nice little writeup and cartoon video on the T-L. I have quite a few pages on the T-L on my website here, if you want more info:

http://1956packardpanther.com/Panther/torsionLevel.html

Craig

The cartoon is cute and gets the point across but IMO, the absolute best video of TL in operation is a comparison made of three fine cars crossing some very rough railroad tracks in the Detroit area.

All the cars were covered in fabric to disguise them but one make was obvious. The three cars drove over the tracks at a way too fast for the condition speed. The Packard had the wheels wildly jumping up and down as in the cartoon but other than that, the car sailed thru with complete dignity and hardly more than a slight change in body position. One of the other fine cars had the body violently moving up and down and almost seemed to lose control as it passed thru the rough spot. The other fine car went airborne and came down with a shower of sparks as the underside hit the pavement. I forget which of the brand X cars suffered the indignity of a hubcap coming off and flying thru the air but that was an added attraction.

A portion of that video is on the DVD of Allison and the TL system sold by Motor City Packards. Unfortunately the quality of the portion on the DVD suffers a bit. Words can describe what happens but until one actually views the entire video, just how good the suspension and how humorous the comparison test is cannot be appreciated. It would be nice to see that same comparison video in its entirety and in the quality which has been shown at various PAC meets made avilable on You Tube.

There are more videos on The Packard Club website,http://www.packardclub.org/forum/

Look in the forum section, under Packard in the media.

The Studebaker National Museum also sells Packard videos,
http://studebakermuseum.org/store/books-video-and-stationery/historical-videos/

And though the video quality isn't great, also on the PAC site under "Packard Club Videos" from the menu bar are two 1+ hour videos of the Centennial in 1999. One is of the parade and the other of the Magnum Opus. I just watched part of both of them today, if you weren't there (or even if you were) you might enjoy watching - certainly the largest and most historic gathering of Packards in one place ever, some that weren't even known to have survived!,and never to be duplicated again. Rough count on judging day, about 1000 Packards from 1899 to 1958.

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Unfortunately that TL comparison video is not part of those collections. I believe someone said the original film was in private hands and not made available too often.

Isn't there a video that shows the "cycle-car" in action?

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Yes, the video is for sale at Motor City Packards website:http://www.motorcitypackards.com/store.php

"See a "new" 1955 Packard Patrician being compared with a new Cadillac and Lincoln on the streets of Detroit."


Don't hold me to this, but IIRC the video was based on original film and video footage taken by Bill Allison as he was working on the torsion bar project. Also shows his original "cycle-car" in operation. The conversion for film to tape to DVD explains the resolution.

We are currently rebuilding our website, so even though it is still up I am not exactly sure who answers the orders.

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Thanks Roger, good to know!

Howard,
I have the DVD's from The Studebaker Museum. The Packard volume 4 has 2 films, The Safe Road Ahead, and The Torsion Level Ride. Both of the films have scenes filmed at the PPG, The Safe Road Ahead features 1956 cars, and Packards Torsion Level is pre production 55 Patrician. It has scenes with the Patrician and a Caddilac with the cars covered. It is all shot at the PPG.