Re: Some Packards and others Down-Under

Posted by Owen_Dyneto On 2008/8/3 10:36:43

Perhaps I can add a bit. I've seen many Packards in factory RHD, including quite a few Full Classics. While I don't know of any "kits" to convert to RHD, Packard made RHD cars (though I'm not sure about the TWelves) from scratch both in Detroit and in Canada, the latter especially for export to South Africa, Sweden, and of course England and Australia. I believe the Canadian plant opened about 1931 or 32 and closed just before WW II, and as late as 1954 the parts manual shows the various parts for the RHD cars which were available only in certain chassis (only the Clipper DeLuxe, Special and Super for 1954)and the Service Counselor shows the finished cars so available. So while perhaps never many in number, Packard had a very long history of manufacturing RHD cars. After 1954, Packard relied on their London Distributor, Leonard Williams, to do the conversions. You'll find a test report on a 1955 RHD Clipper so converted somewhere on this website, and you'll also find a photo of a 1934 Eight or Super Eight RHD chassis under restoration. I believe there is an original photo of a Classic-Era RHD chassis on the Michigan University archive site. So an Twelve in RHD wouldn't suprise me in the least. What I'd like to see if the Patent Plate (VN plate) picture.