Re: Ambulance, hearse and other service Packards

Posted by Owen_Dyneto On 2015/8/29 8:02:38

You would get answers to some of your questions by browsing the various Packard parts books as they do identify when parts are unique to the commercial chassis and when they are shared with the regular production cars. You will find full specifications for the commercial chassis in the Service Counselors (at least for the postwar models).


The rear axle in the commercial chassis as used by Henney and others is a Packard-made unit, not from a truck. For example, the parts list shows that the 22nd/23rd series Custom 8 commercial chassis uses the same rear axle housing as the Custom 8 series of cars but with a unique ring and pinion set to obtain a higher rear axle ratio than was offered in the corresponding series of cars. Likewise for brakes you'd see such parts as brake drums, lining sets, master cylinders, etc. are often different part numbers than for the regular production.

As noted by a prior correspondent there have been quite a few excellent articles on the Packard chassis utilized by Henney in The Professional Car, a publication of the Professional Car Society - back issues are probably available.