The 55 Clipper comes out of hibernation

Posted by Tom Still On 2015/3/31 1:54:55

Due to a series of unfortunate events, my son's girlfriend's Mini Convert is taking a thirty day vacation. The resultant car shuffling put the Packard back in commuting duty for the first time in about 14 years. The major problems, clutch and gas tank, have been resolved and it has been driven locally enough to show reliability. A daily 30 mile round trip, Pasadena to Glendale on a freeway, however, warrants a bit more attention. Obvious things, tires, brakes and blinkers are fast and easy. Sore thumb lenses and obsolete wiper blades aren't and this needs to be ready yesterday, I'll start by asking here.

I have one, intact tail light lens but it is not accessible until late tomorrow at the earliest. The right one on the car is gone and the left one has pieces missing but red tape will buy time. Are they left and right or universal?

Does anyone have a serviceable right lens they would be willing to part with for a small fee? I don't care if it's damaged as long as it has enough of its shape to patch. Two new repros are in the near future as is the $400.00, but by then the immediate problem will be resolved.

The wiper blade issue came up when I wanted to drive the 62 Mercedes in one of our few Calif. Rains. Blade refills are available locally if I look long enough but the arms aren't. I'm hoping the 52 bodied Henny ones will work. Otherwise, I scavenge friends garages for a Ford or GM cross. Anyone Know what it might be.

The plan for tomorrow is to get it safe, clean and address all issues that would warrant a mechanical violation. I think I have it surrounded but I'm not sure how long the lens I made out of a clear plastic cup, red paint and silicon will last. Tomorrow it gets a bath, oil change, registration, insurance and working brake lights and blinkers. I will postpone the gas gage but need to T/S the temp gage and Speedometer. If all goes well, it will go in service at 4 AM Wednesday. I hope, when the dust settles, a more practical solution will surface and the Packard can go back to being a neat toy.
I'll report the outcome, Tom