Re: 1951 Patrician...in my Future??

Posted by markinroseburg On 2010/10/25 18:40:59

Thanks for the info. I have been a Packard lover since I was a boy. Now I'm nearly 50 and have had well over 100 cars in all states of repair, mostly Chrysler Products. So far I've looked at 52 300, a 47 Clipper, a 54 Clipper, a 55 400 and now this Patrician. It's better than all of the others body and chrome wise. Interior is all there, but tired. I appreciate the caveats about why it won't turn or why it was parked. I know the Ultramatic can be an issue and a major expense. The eight cylinder engine is expensive to overhaul as well, but probably no more expensive than the Hemi in my 51 Imperial. I suspect the owner doesn't know as he bought it at an auction "so it wouldn't get crushed". The car is in very restorable condition. He seems easy to work with, and may let me pull the plugs and put a little marvel oil or PB blaster down the cylinders. I tried to turn it by hand - no movement. These engines didn't have an enormous amount of compression, so it should be easy to turn. On the plus side, the air cleaner has been on it, it's been stored in a enclosure. I am the most optimistic of this car, but afraid of the chrome pieces. I know how hard it can be to try and put together a fairly low production car - 9001 I believe. My Imperial club coupe has only 1189 built.

I am fairly competent mechanically - not afraid to tackle the engine or any of the electrics. Transmission is a different story. I remember the crusty old transmission guy (every town had one)when I was was a boy - he had a fair amount of contempt for Dynaflows and Ultramatics. He called them Dyna-pukes and Problem-atics.

My Pop always told me if you have a good body to start with, the mechanicals are just that...mechanics. Body work and paint is expensive, especially to have something done to the quality I feel a Packard demands or at least deserves.

Keep the comments coming.
Thanks and Cheers
Mark