It's been way too long since we've made any progress. By some miracle the correct piston rings finally came in, and we got the block mounted! More on that later.

We hope to finish getting the engine together tomorrow, and hopefully into the car. If I'm reading the factory service manual correctly, I don't need a thermostat if I'm going to drive the car during warm months. Correct?

<img src="https://olykha.bn.files.1drv.com/y4mEP2Va3gGc7_sLMw5RBnuzd7krSs2lguUbXky1WCI3E1llkt8SR9ME0oPgemct7qp5MKA62Lz5DDpimkBJprNq5l1ky35-49Z40bem7gRbK29mHa6p-vNlsi3hab4YK6MeJmsilWcGMpg3LhbKS30W5mmOZgjq1B-80hPlJF5c7Cy16dd1hcabl0OxgYaJwqOCDy616lfjSd1DBynjZ3ZwA?width=495&height=660&cropmode=none" width="495" height="660" />

Starting to look more like an engine!
<img src="https://olypha.bn.files.1drv.com/y4mchIywq19zEha45qgqlmoTzFjOtHFBm953rImiPJys27ChM4TsrZjpihuAgsFRDeJDWs5BeeLfaQA57AUas7e3IZWrJdgHceiIpemXXNwtonSCkgn2rGzaUvyemc63wn0CQI_o8V_014-zqcSZpMGuUqGlY9Kh5E8J3nblJPSJTakjftm_d0UqpyIJXNn_Ho2-Tus3XZu91zF3rAEJ8qrYQ?width=495&height=660&cropmode=none" width="495" height="660" />

Really like the interior on that '49. Looks like a nice car for a reasonable price.

Another one just showed up in the same area. '50 Sedan this time, just one picture. Supposedly original paint, and I guess the interior is shot.
https://spokane.craigslist.org/bar/d/spokane-big-twin-bike-2-old-cars-big/7117975171.html

Don - I was noticing those add-on's in the 1953. Certainly a nice car, but out of my price range at this point.

Steve - If I do get this car, the first thing on my list is to drain all the fluids. Rear differential should just be a straight drain and fill. Drain, flush, and fill the cooling system. Drain oil, change the filter, drop the pan and clean that and the intake screen. I might do the same for the transmission. I'll for sure change the fuel filter, but since the car runs I don't know that I will need to drop the tank and clean it.

The brakes will need to be gone through for sure. I will likely keep the aftermarket non-power brakes on there for now, assuming they work. Eventually I would like to restore the Easamatic power brakes and put them back on.

The car does start, and it does drive. I took it for a quick test spin around the property when I looked at it. Engine sounded fine (without looking too closely...nothing obviously wrong), transmission shifted normally into High and Reverse. Didn't check Low. Power steering worked fine. Brakes functioned but I was only going a few miles per hour.

The front and rear bumper chrome is rough at best, but fine for a while. The other chrome is good, just dull. I've been thinking about the interior and how to clean it up. How would I go about cleaning the seats and carpet without ruining them? I know I'll have to replace the headliner.

I've always been partial to the two door hardtops so I'm hopeful about this car. I'm probably going to have a hard time talking the guy down much more, but I'll see what I can do. Originally was 9.5K, then 7.5, and now 6.5K. Ideally I'd pay 5K but that might be pushing my luck.

-Kevin

Quote:

Yes, definitely. As of right now, this car is probably about the most I can afford, and that depends on what the next month brings. Lots of stuff going on right now obviously, which makes things a bit uncertain.

At this point I've been waiting around 10 years to get a Packard, and various other things have rightly taken priority....schooling, starting career, moves, buying a house, the births of our children, etc. At this point I'd be happy to enter the Packarding world with a less-than-perfect car just to get my feet wet. I would purchase a car with the intent to restore to good driver quality over time. I take a lot of inspiration from BigKev's blog on how he brought his Clipper back to life.

The whole goal for me is two prong....one, to get a Packard for myself to work on and enjoy, but two, and probably more important is so that we can enjoy it as a family. Taking my wife on date nights, the kids on daddy-daughter dates, etc, in a car like this would make memories that will last.

-Kevin

Quote:

Lol, I said the same thing when I saw it. He said it's just a random tire he had laying around that he threw on the rim. Not only is it beefy, but it's scalloped to no end. Totally useless.

Hi Kev,

Yes, those wings are supposed to be on there. The holes are there on the grille, but the wings are not installed. I found them in the trunk when I was looking over the car. Also found the Packard crest back there that is supposed to go on the center of the grille.

This picture shows the holes
<img src="https://obwpea.bn.files.1drv.com/y4mF8dxBSFFssvqitRCmc0EfMghQVbsWfbBgDN25CyLhSKsqmOfuR0qTZ6uPY8Hj73y5A6M43rVaP9VNpmR0iSxlSUuEYJ-pKrJRxuYbN0vH-JuU6XO1M8TTKWitpfn2q63My75mkW8JW1Y7Qakzr272E1-FhFXQf3HNt73-U6dfkTcSlU5v1E6X4cLBXaFJo2GE9MKy4_6aBkmHDDQRM3YWA?width=1024&height=716&cropmode=none" width="1024" height="716" />

The wings are on the left, and the right has the crest. All other miscellaneous trim is stuffed in the trunk also.
<img src="https://obwmea.bn.files.1drv.com/y4mbQwDC_fgDeTHZaza_Z2SmoqvqM-SHeWt-Tlfog8KZnyfZN-R6h_wbbDrOlXPsoj3KIZqlOQzgFtrOktivsx5P45I4yN7NaBHX2-hjHSX2oFwwsno021ED6ERp7XzNSzwJbs-ZetQYFh8XIotchYq3WDPrOmFf6HXCQargU6K_-ozgtM_0XQS83jtHdYGIuvejX08ZXUlY0PYkEy473n4Xg?width=1024&height=683&cropmode=none" width="1024" height="683" />

-Kevin

That's a very nice looking '53. I've always liked that color combo. It appears to be in good condition with not much to do. Unfortunately it's out of my price range at this point.

I missed out on a '52 Mayfair a couple months back that had been sitting for 30 years, but still had the original interior in near perfect condition. Sold for $5K. I've been kicking myself every since.

This Panama is definitely a project car, but one that would allow me to get into the Packard ownership crowd on a budget, and would teach me how to properly maintain/restore these cars. I have to start somewhere I guess.

-Kevin

Hagerty has the Panama's estimated around the same. Just above 5K for a condition #4 car, which this is.

Just spoke to the guy today to ask a few questions. He does have a clear title, car hasn't been registered in a long time. Last ran 2 years ago before starting it up for me to look at. He never had the fender skirts, and the brake work was done prior to him owning it. All the original brake parts including master cylinder are included with the car though. So perhaps I can rebuild those later.

Quote:

I do like the look of this one also. I think once the trim is polished and installed, and the chrome redone on the bumpers, it will look pretty sharp.

I just checked Kanter and they have replacement springs listed for $600. So if I need to, I at least have that option.

Here is a comparison between the Panama pictured here, and another one that has been fully restored.
<img src="https://obwsea.bn.files.1drv.com/y4m_gtSfJcVCYbzalG-6QAjKpAn7INoOmZpTcuC2w4W8IX4PVOqwins0HAHvfDlWy587Hc4JpPSrBD8fYqFXsycQRFYP7j_F9rSp9HbYWk0MTKXKnNRca0Ev6Kv1mNAfE0vjtu4dxKYKClQuiC1-A2QfNmfuuDX26RTtDQXLQKXXiOPA_rcHuNv9I1T2N1uNeNbPUadSYKvlEFjG-8MQzuz7g?width=440&height=660&cropmode=none" width="440" height="660" />

<img src="https://obwnea.bn.files.1drv.com/y4mJbP6zcCE-1CtlcVNns1cnQ3teGnxj2I9LSPn4tlj_folAGxz1UiDSm6GhLY8yHLIBKaWsmL0kc0ZaejdoFBBSBoPi9SQnt4NrfwLfiQyQYp7QilN7pR40VAW6oxEMutOkaitasfAZ2uu3tdSf_gTGFD2Idb6WI6RmDv5oWvts4iQBqqRxcIvsbkpPLNJhdxjsk0bnle8AfUvSC9kzXgDYA?width=990&height=660&cropmode=none" width="990" height="660" />


As a side note, I don't think the exhaust is complete on the car. It isn't loud, but I couldn't see any evidence of exhaust piping under the rear of the car.

Quote:

I love the look of the 2-door hardtops. Taking my family on a cruise or to get some shakes would be a blast with all the windows down.

The current owner did mention that he changed the brake system from power brakes to manual. My guess is it had Easamatic brakes and something went wrong with it. I believe he still has all the old brake parts in a box that would come with the car. Perhaps I can fix and reinstall?

The car seems to sit level as it is now, so perhaps those springs are sagging. Are replacements available?

I also realized afterwards that I didn't see the fender skirts. I'll have to see if he has them and if they are painted.

-Kevin