Re: 1956 Clipper Deluxe

Posted by Brian Wilson On 2020/3/31 16:09:43

Good point.

I had taken comfort from the fact that the car ran with these wheels for about 15 years. They seem to fit into the guards in pretty much the same way as the others (which are also not standard!). It appears - from the number of spokes - that they were aftermarket wheels fitted to a senior Packard in the US, but I don't know whether the geometry changed when the hubs were replaced here.

The suspension on this car was overhauled about ten years ago - and the Torsion Level more recently - but I don't know what shape it was in when it was done. Before my time.

I'll get the tape measure out and check the geometry as you suggest.

This is a daily driver and will never be a concours or show car, so I'm not concerned about originality. It has a few other small mods which I like but which would probably lose points with a concours judge. I do like these wheels on the car. I can see why the previous owner went to quite a lot of trouble and expense to fit them.

With these wheels, it's much less frequently mistaken for a Chevrolet! On balance, quite a good thing but usually leads to the inevitable question "What is it?"

Thanks

Brian