Imagine the reputation of the SB chevy if it was only around 2 years. They didn't even have an oil filter the first year!

Chrysler may have made the best V8s in the 50's and 60's but their cars were lacking for quality in many ways.

Lowes sells stuff called Peal n' Seal. It has a slight stickiness to it, but I wouldn't count on it to stay on a vertical surface over time. I used it on my '65 Chevy truck and on the inside of the doors I put some silicone rubber on it to hold it to the vertical surfaces. I did the whole floor of the truck with about $15 of material. Its asphalt and Aluminum foil, no special science to it.

I wouldn't overdo it personally because it does add a bit of weight to the vehicle, one layer is enough.

Shinoda designed the 63 Corvette under Bill Mitchells direction. I believe he also designed the 69-70 Mustang.

Great replies, everyone. I learned something new from reading this thread! I think Rusty O\'Toole explained it the best. Also, I didn't mean Buick was a lesser car in general, only compared to a Packard. I am a Buick man, but Packards are on the level of Cadillac. I knew the straight 8 Buicks were pretty gutless by 60's muscle car standards, but I didn't know the Packards were equally as, er, made similar power as OHV engines.

I would assume of the many reasons given that Packard chose to stay with it mainly because it was quieter and tried and true. Also, similar hp meant it was not worth the investment for a struggling company. I saw a guy with a 55 Packard at a crusie in recently. I stared at his V8 for a long time, although it wasn't sexy, it is probably the rarest of any V8 made in the 50s. I bet chevy made more 348's than Packard made V8s. And if I am wrong on that I would love to pick your brain on which is the rarest.

It seems like Packard didn't invest much in engine options. They only offered a few, and the upgrade just had more main bearings. Why did they skip out on an ohv head for their straight 8? If Buick, a lower end car had one, why not Packard?

What about Redwood? It wouldn't get eaten by termites.

Thanks Owen for the answer on the wood. Although I am not afraid to take a car apart, clean it up, and repaint it, the thought of replacing a bunch of structural wood scares me. Since I won't be buying a convertible I guess I don't have much to worry about. At least roof wood doesn't require taking much apart and it is probably not a fancy piece of wood like a door frame would be.

And once again, I would love to have a STRAIGHT 8 if thats what the car came with or if it will fit. Since Packards are famous for being so smooth I don't think I would try to hop up the stock motor since that would cause it to idle rough and lose its character. Hopefully I will be posting more when my dreams become reality, at least now I know a little bit more about what I am looking at.

One more thing, how do you pronounce "Syphalon"?

Intersting that their is no definitive answer on the steel body issue. I really like 34-38 Packards, but I would love to have anything from 30-41. I hadn't heard the term senior body before, but I think the 115 and 120 are more in my price range. Did they make a mid-size body? I have an original sales brochure of '38 Buicks, one of my other favorite 30's cars and it shows all 21 body styles they offered that year. They had 4 series, 90, 80, 60 and 40. Is their anything like that available for Packards on the net?

1938 Club Coupe, To clarify, if I found one with an 8 I would definatly keep it. If I got one with a six I would want to swap in an 8 if their is room. If only a V8 would fit then I would have to go with a packard V8.

Hello all,
This is my first post. I am 30 years old and have restored a few cars including a '71 Riviera. I have always loved the 30's styling and I have decided to start looking for a 30's Packard project car. I would like a 4 door and I have a few questions to narrow down my search.

1. When did Packard switch from wood to all steel bodies?

2. What years did Packard use the grill with the rotating slats? What is the official name for this?

3. I am thinking of getting a 6 cyl because they are more affordable and still have the look. Which models are six cylinders? 105-120? Would a Packard Straight 8 fit in the engine bay? Would a 55-56 Packard V8 fit in the engine bay? If I wanted to go fast I would build a Nova, so I would only swap in a Packard 8/V8 if I did it. I just like the smoothness of an 8.

I'd like to spend around 10k, so I know that eliminates 2 doors and high end models, but I want a 4-door anyways because classics are more fun to enjoy with friends. I have seen them in this range on ebay, what model is the best Packard deal?

Tom