Re: Howard Hughes Caribbean

Posted by ewrecks On 2015/1/25 3:40:35

Leeedy - This time I was a bit more careful--- the auto correct maintained all three E's. For the prior error I appologize.
I am not attempting to get into an argument, just trying to secure information to allow my efforts to take a basket case and return it to presentable condition. No more, no less.
I am old enough to remember when Packards were still sold new but I was not quite old enough to buy one new and for a goodly number of years not in a financial position to consider buying or restoring one.
I have endeavored to restore cars that would otherwise.have ended up in the crusher and have enjoyed the process. I have maintained a fairly expensive photo log of the work on the Caribbean as the work has progressed and as soon as the car hits the road this Spring/ Summer I will endeavor to upload the photos and my comments on the quirks and difficulties to ths site in the hope that my foibles will spare someone else the time and expense of repeating my errors.
This is a hobby for me. I do not do it to garner trophies or in the hope that I will turn a profit. I think that the Caribbean was an amazingly beautiful car that will be fun to drive. I could have purchased a completed car or paid someone to restore the car for me, but that would have defeated the purpose. I knew nothing about Packards when I started the project four years ago. In the interim, I have learned a lot and have met a lot of people who have been extremely helpful in finding parts and affording their experiences. The Forum has been extremely helpful.
I have read the posting that you referenced and have seen the article in the Cormerrant. It was that material which inspired my trip to the museum to see the Hughes car.......and to secure pictures that were not clear from those sources.
If the intent of the Forum and the Clubs is to assure that the surviving Packards remain in existence for the next generations, we should acknowledge that a goodly portion of today's population were not born when the last Packard left the line and couldn't care less. The cars have to be reintroduced to the streets and not tucked away in museums,or under covers in climate controlled,garages - if the awe inspiring features and designs may be experienced.
I am not interested in creating a judging guide for those,who prefer to trailer their vehicles to shows but would anticipate that if that was my hobby, that I would prefer that my car be judged based on an established guidebook based on reference to Benchmark vehicles rather than the whims or memories of a judge without such standard.
From a personal standpoint, it would have been a great help to have some clear photographs of an original Caribbean to guide my efforts to return my car to something approaching the car that exited the factory in 1955 rather than hoping that the cars at Hershey that I photographed to guide my efforts were not themselves incorrect.
The bulk of the people,who will see my car will not know or care if the paint colors, carpeting or hose clamps are correct. In fact most will not know that they are looking at a rare American car........but we should care and do what we can to assist those of us willing to try to restore these relics to do it well.
My offer to purchase copies of any pictures you wish to sell stands. I think I did quite well without them....but I discovered a few corrections that need to be made after examining the Hughes car.
Stay well
RJR