PackardV8, I too live in a vintage home circa 1919. I get my copy of Old House Journal (The Hemmings of old house restoration) every month. My wife has been getting vintage outfits together for the annual fashion show at the Packard national meets. I have been working on my Packards since 1973 and my house in the Ford Homes historic district for 17 years. With the exception of electronics, I am not all that fond of the new items on the scene today. The new houses with cardboard walls and vinyl siding are a joke. We get a lot of antique cars come through the neighborhood in the summer as we are only 1 mile from Greenfield Village and the Henry Ford.

Attach file:

---

  (59.91 KB)

I got inerested in vinatge items (of all type) at a rather early age. At that time it was out of necessity and economics. The interest has only grown. "WHY buy NEW when someone elses junk will DO".

And don't pass up any bargains that come along on vintage tools, equipment, motorcycles/scooters, GOOD QUALTY clothes and shoes or anything else, wheather u know hat they are or not. Chances are many of these items will be curb side picking over the next few years. The only problem is that it all requires substantial square footage for storeage.

BigKev. U'll find (or may have already) that the classic car hobby is much more rewarding than nearly anyother aspect of the automotive world. Unlike racing or trying to keep up with latest styling or automotive trends, many of the classics NEVER go out of style, require no schedule, relatively inexpensive (if u know what u're doing) and in general is a very flexible hobby that can produce praticle transportation too.

I've even extended the concept to other area of my life. I'm the second owner of a house built in 1958 and owned formerly by an elderly couple. IT IS STILL 1958 furnishings y decor thru out. I've found some vintahe clothing to be quite outstanding too. Depends on quality and condition level.
There are but only a few hidden secrets in the old car hobby that one needs to be wise to.

Joel, that is a great shot. I really like those kind of photos. 3 guys having a great day out with their cars.

Not to make anyone feel old, but the funny thing to me is when that shot was taken, I was 6 months old and still leaving in England.

I guess I fall into that rare group of Gen-X'rs that has taken an interest in older cars.

CLIPPER47: I will let in a little secret, plese don't tell anyone else. In the latter part of last year Big Kevin made a public offer to me in the AACA to write a story about Brad, and he would publish on this web site. At that time I publically acepted the offer.

I have been working on the story in spits and spurts, as I have had time. I am hoping that I have the story complete by July of this year. The story isn't just going to be about my relationship with Brad or the good times we had. The story will aslo included what the money from Brad's estate has done for the comunity of Jersey Shore.

Not to give away any important deetails of what is in my story. Here is something I would like to tell everyone. Stu Blond started of his story by stating that Stella and him visited Brad on Saturday. The actual day they cam to visit was on Sunday, because Brad in 25 years had never closed the gas station on Saturday for anyone. The closing of the gas station on a Saturday never happend until long after the Blonds had made thier visit.


John F. Shireman

I was at the national Packard meet in 2006 with my 1956 Packard. The 1956 models were the cars that were focused on. We had a grand entrance to the proving grounds of all 1956 models with horns blowing all the way in. Then the 1956 models were parked in special places in circles so they could be viewed and photographed easily. I am so glad I had my car there and brought my friend Roscoe Stelford and his wife Mary in our car to enjoy the day. I am going to try and attach a photo taken in 1973 at the proving grounds with a much younger Joel Ray and Roscoe Stelford. Walter Holmes is in the center of the photo. He was about the last real Packard mechanic in Detroit.He started working at Packard dealers in 1929 and worked well past the end at the remaining dealers that still serviced Packards. He has since passed on.

Attach file:

---

  (50.52 KB)

Brian, you got everything exactly right except the 1957 Packabakers. The letters look the same but have a different curvature to fit the Studebaker hood. I suspect they were modified from the original dies to save money in 1957.

Tom wrote:
"Well even thou my car in not a V-8 you all can swing by my place with some paint brushes and help me paint old Bessie. I will supply the "

You should never paint a car with a brush-never!


Use a roller, it's faster

I guess we learn something everyday!!! :)