Re: 1956 Clipper Deluxe Wire Wheels
Posted by Brian Wilson On 2020/3/31 1:54:57
Another episode in the saga of the 1956 Clipper Deluxe.
The first photo in this blog shows the car when the paint was still respectable and it had wire wheels.That was 35 years ago!
I'm about to start on getting the paintwork tidied up. I tracked down the wire wheels when I purchased the car. They look like Packard items but are not what they seem. The Packard wires were available only on the senior cars, which I believe had 5 1/2" stud spacing. The junior cars had 5" stud spacing then, so these are custom built wheels with Ford centres (F100 - see pics).
Since I'm in self isolation for the coronavirus problem - and of an age when I'm not supposed to venture out - I had developed a severe case of cabin fever. Decided the cure was to put the wire wheels on the car.
Easier said than done. Wheeled out my trusty Chinese 2.5 ton floor jack, then began to wonder if it would support the weight of the car which is not inconsiderable. Not sure what 2.5 Chinese tons translates to on our scale.
Anyway, pressed on regardless. Used the magic Torsion Level adjustment switch to raise the rear of the car, then switched the battery off. Gingerly raised the front right hand side of the car, accompanied by ominous groans from the jack and suspension. Kept pumping the jack every few minutes to keep the wheel off the ground, then quickly put the wire wheel on. Noticed something in the process about the Treadle Vac unit. Having the wheel off makes very little difference to access to the Treadle Vac. It's sitting up amongst the chassis rails and quite a long way back from the front wheel. Oh, well. Looks like Plan B to disconnect the lines and get the unit out for its overhaul.
The solid wheels which came off the car are apparently also Ford rims (see pic), but the Packard wheel covers clip onto them nicely. Can't decide whether to keep these wheels or move them on. Sure as eggs I'll need one if I sell them, although the spare is also a wire wheel so I do have a backup.
Cheers Brian
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The first photo in this blog shows the car when the paint was still respectable and it had wire wheels.That was 35 years ago!
I'm about to start on getting the paintwork tidied up. I tracked down the wire wheels when I purchased the car. They look like Packard items but are not what they seem. The Packard wires were available only on the senior cars, which I believe had 5 1/2" stud spacing. The junior cars had 5" stud spacing then, so these are custom built wheels with Ford centres (F100 - see pics).
Since I'm in self isolation for the coronavirus problem - and of an age when I'm not supposed to venture out - I had developed a severe case of cabin fever. Decided the cure was to put the wire wheels on the car.
Easier said than done. Wheeled out my trusty Chinese 2.5 ton floor jack, then began to wonder if it would support the weight of the car which is not inconsiderable. Not sure what 2.5 Chinese tons translates to on our scale.
Anyway, pressed on regardless. Used the magic Torsion Level adjustment switch to raise the rear of the car, then switched the battery off. Gingerly raised the front right hand side of the car, accompanied by ominous groans from the jack and suspension. Kept pumping the jack every few minutes to keep the wheel off the ground, then quickly put the wire wheel on. Noticed something in the process about the Treadle Vac unit. Having the wheel off makes very little difference to access to the Treadle Vac. It's sitting up amongst the chassis rails and quite a long way back from the front wheel. Oh, well. Looks like Plan B to disconnect the lines and get the unit out for its overhaul.
The solid wheels which came off the car are apparently also Ford rims (see pic), but the Packard wheel covers clip onto them nicely. Can't decide whether to keep these wheels or move them on. Sure as eggs I'll need one if I sell them, although the spare is also a wire wheel so I do have a backup.
Cheers Brian
Attach file:
(239.50 KB)
(235.48 KB)
(254.29 KB)
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