Re: 1934 Packard 1101 Coupe 2-4

Posted by Tim Cole On 2019/6/24 15:15:48

I don't think that is the original voltage regulator, but given how hard it is to find an original I'd say it's not something I would knock unless judging for best of show. As well, if they don't know what the chassis lubricator is expect a good round sum for suspension work. I see a lot of stuff today that was preserved original being flashed up and marketed as restored. And of course, a lot of fakes.

It's a shame to see the lack of appreciation for how much care Packard put into the plated radiator shell. Paul Lamb had a 34 Club Sedan that was original right down to the pin stripes. It had the plated shell and shutters option, which was a popular option. While I prefer the painted shutters, the quality Packard put into that option was out of the ballpark. It was so good I would never consider changing it.

I've have never found a verifiable period picture of a production eight cylinder car with a painted shell. A few black out cars like the Vanderbilt car that had all bright work painted over, and a cropped photo from who knows when.

I don't know what the painted shell on the V-12 was all about, but I suspect it was the influence of Alexis de Sakhnoffsky and a prelude to the future major body style revision. Sort of a "Hey less is more, Right?".