Re: John's 1935 1201 Coupe for Two or Four Passengers, RHD in Tasmania

Posted by JMc On 2016/6/18 9:19:52

Hands-on progress on the 35 Coupe has been negligible this week because of work commitments, but I can report on a mind-expanding (or mind-boggling) visit to a Packard enthusiast in Melbourne last night. I won't name the gentleman (to ensure a degree of privacy) but I expect some readers will know the man to whom I refer.

Background: I've been spending countless hours doing research in preparation for more ambitious work on my car, but felt that I really wanted the chance to look under the bonnet of something similar to mine, to help me understand what I'm dealing with.
A short-notice overnight work trip to Melbourne gave rise to the following scenario.

I recently received the Membership Directory of the Australian Packard club, and found listed within it a member in Melbourne with a Twelfth series Eight; potentially ideal for me to see and from which to learn. Having a few spare hours in Melbourne yesterday evening, I placed a speculative call. In receipt of a generous short-notice invitation and directions to his workshop, I found myself soon after the call entering a veritable labyrinth of beautiful old cars in various stages of restoration or simply static preservation. I was able to look under the bonnet of his 1200 Sedan, and gained insights from it, but that was merely the start of an incredible evening. The gentleman in question has an astonishing collection of lovely old Packards, some Cadillacs, a Stutz and numerous other interesting projects. There was a beautiful 1936 Super Eight (Dietrich?) Convertible Victoria, for example, and a 1934 Twelve 5-Passenger Coupe amongst many other magnificent if tired Packards. The newly friended enthusiast is chipping away at these and many other projects, but is currently most heavily committed to the rebuilding of a quite spectacular V-16 Cadillac. These are merely highlights of row upon row of beautiful semi-completed projects, any one of which would satisfy the desires of most classic car enthusiasts.

Equally astonishing was his parts collection; so many shelves packed with highly desired components for many classic makes and models. For example of the 1930s Senior car fuel pumps, I saw a pile of I reckon roughly a dozen!

I was enthusiastically guided through the restoration collection until midnight. What an amazing experience! Incidentally, he has a brace of lovely 1954 Packards he wants to sell to make way for two 34 Packards waiting under tarps in the back yard. Very cheap; great restoration project. If you're genuinely interested in the 54s, let me know and I'll put you in touch.