Re: Engine Bay detailing on a '56 dual carb car

Posted by BH On 2010/10/30 12:42:50

Can't say about the convertible, but the inner panels (splashers) on my Carib H/T (#1135) are painted in body color - same as the other unrestored Packards and Clipper of same year that I've inspected. The coverage further down the inside panels diminishes to that of overspray. IIRC, the inside of the wheel wells showed body color, unless covered in undercoating.

Perhaps some restorers have mistakenly adopted a production approach used in later years, with other makes (like GM product of the '60s and '70s), where inner fender/wheelhuse panels were painted in "underhood black" - inside and out. That would be "non-authentic" for these Packards

Some allowance for the color of the wheel side of the fender wells should be made, however, as it would be impractical to even try to keep up with "road rash" if the car is gonna be driven like it was meant to be (not trailered everywhere).