Re: Kanter's 1952 Packard Limo Restoration

Posted by fredkanter On 2016/7/13 11:16:39

Progress has slowed a bit due to the need to run a business and other distractions. Motor #2 has been disassembled and magnafluxed, to my dismay it too has a crack from an exh valve seat over to a cylinder wall. One repair shop said they can't get to it until after Pebble Beach, will try another.

While waiting, the chassis is being sandblasted then it will be painted an appropriate semi-gloss black. Next will be the clear coating of the front suspension, rebuilding of the brakes, new shocks and installation of new custom made front and rear springs which have already arrived. Soon we'll have a pretty, 99+% accurately restored chassis.

Robert Neal's magnificent book notes that there were 4 of these beauties, one completed by Dietrich Inc with a fancy interior and 3 others started by them and completed by Henney with plainer interiors. Ours appears to be the #1 car with the fancy interior as the car in Neal's book has a more utilitarian look in the front compartment

At this point I no longer believe our car is the last coachbuilt Packard. Live and learn.