Clipper47, thanks for the nice words and you're entirely correct about the distinctions blurring after 1938. Although the chassis were entirely different, the 39-42 seniors (except the 39 Twelve) shared many body panels and othere hardware with the juniors.

Packard's luxury cache began to fade with the introduction of the juniors; just imagine the feelings of the owner of the manor with his fleet of Super Eights and Twelves in the carriage house, seeing his hired hourly help arrive in a Packard with many of the same styling cues as his fleet which probably cost 3-5 times as much! Shows the wisdom of GM's naming the high volume, lower cost Cadillac the LaSalle.

"Owen" Those are great posts.The Senior/Junior classifications was pretty easy between 1935-38 and as time progressed the divisions became much less distinct as chassis and parts were interchanged between models beginning in '39.

Thanks J.D., I appreciate the compliment. Another Junior/Senior close call that I didn't mention are the 51, 52 and 53 convertibles. These are generally considered to be junior cars (short wheelbase, small engine) and it's always been a mystery that a luxury maker that specialized in convertibles dropped the Senior convertible after the 23rd series until 1954. Although the 53 Caribbean was made from a Junior car, it's still considered a Senior because it was of limited production, high cost, and was almost a custom, having the bodies converted by an outside firm (Mitchell Bentley wasn't it?) despite having a Junior engine and chassis. Both the 54 convertible and Caribbean are of course Senior cars, both Packards and not Clippers and with the top-end chassis and engine.

I can't see enough of the carburetor to see if it's the correct one or not, hopefully the small triangular brass tag is still present. You didn't say what model your car (or engine) is; assuming its a 2301 (288 engine) there was a carburetor change during production and a WDO 644S (early) or a WGD 728S (late) would be correct. The Super Eight (327 engine) would be a WDO 643S and the Custom 8 (356 engine) a WDO 531S. The automatic choke cover and internal parts do not come in a carburetor overhaul kit so you'll have to find them separately, they interchange between a large number of Carter carburetors so you shouldn't have much trouble finding another carburetor with these parts.

As far as the under-dash item, I've owned one of these cars and worked on others but must say I don't recognize it. Perhaps it's the socket for the cigar lighter? Or perhaps the light socket that illuminates the switch labels (particular to the 23rd series only).

Mal,

Glad to hear you are able to donate blood. I can't for another 8 months. I was out of the country back in September so they won't expect a donation from me for a year.


Are you retired? Wish I were that way I can spend more time on old Bessie

G'day With Number 1, it appears not to be connected to anything. Seek a few opinions before doing anything.
With No 2, It doesn't appear to me to be the Carter Carb for your model, although the choke heat riser pick-up looks to fit ok. I would suggest that you await a few items of advice before you initiate any actions. I have a few of the correct 288 Carter carbs and would be happy to send one over if it would help. Best regards Peter Toet

I have 2 questions really. The first is regarding the placement of the piece in the first pic. I can't figure out from the resources or my memory where it is remounted.
Any help would be awesome.

Second, in the next pic is my Carburetor. I know that i am missing the choke control on the side facing the shot. It is a black cap i think. My question is, What am i trying to order? Do i need a carb kit or can i just order the piece? If i can just get that piece from kanter or max, what exactly am i asking for?

Sorry, i'm still new to this.

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Monday 10th December

Quiet day for working on the '41 - there was none! Went and gave blood this morning and then to the workshop. Sat down with Wade and figured out most of what was needed to be bought to rebuild the front end, including:

Front end kit
Front springs
Front wheel bearing kit
Rear wheel bearing kit
Tune Up Kit

Then went home and began ordering them from Kanter or Max Merritt, along with the following:

Various front suspension rubber bumpers
Oil Filter cartridge

At this point Wade rang me and advised about the front suspension bumpers, which I'd already remembered, and added a few more items from a closer inspection of the '41 after I left today, being:

Spark plugs
Fan Belt
Radiator hoses

I know - some of these pieces are probably available cheaper elsewhere or even locally but I'm like a kid in a candy store and can't resist it!

Tomorrow will get dirty again cleaning the front end parts that came out together with the front part of the frame and anything else I can access.

I think I'll frame this one. Well done!

I'll take a shot at this, others may have different opinions in a few cases. The division between Junior and Senior really began in 1935 when, as a matter of economic survival in the aftermath of the depression, Packard decided to continue to produce for the luxury market, but also introduce lower-priced cars. Up until 1935 Packard competed only in the luxury (high price) class, and all those Packards are considered Seniors. From 1935 thru 1947, you could apply the selections of the Classic Car Club of America and say that those designated as bona fide Classics are seniors, and the others are not. Thus, from 1t's introduction in 1935 the 120 model and the later 110 model (called the Six and Eight in 1938) were developed as volume cars to compete in the middle or upper-middle price range and are Juniors unless in rare cases they are fitted with meritorious custom coachwork. A hybrid considered a Classic but a close call is the 1939 Super 8, which is really a 120 body with a Senior engine and nicer interior trim. The 1941-42 models 160 and 180 are seniors (and Classics), the 110 and 120 remain as juniors. For the Clipper series and thru 1950, those models with the 356 cubic inch engine are Seniors, this includes the Super Clipper and the Custom Super Clipper thru 1947, and the Custom 8 from 1948 thru 1950. Another close call would be the 1950 Super DeLuxe. Beginning in 1951 and thru 1954 those models with the 9-main bearing engines, either 327 or 359 are considered Seniors. Another way to view the 53 -56 models is that those with the Clipper designation are Juniors, and those with the Packard designation are considered Seniors. One could argue either way about the 1954 Cavalier which has a senior wheelbase and body shell, but a junior (5 main bearing engine) and more pedestrian interior trimming.