Could it be possible that Iskendarian (Isky) might still have the design specs for the adjustable Packard V8 pushrods? They were once one of the principal sources for all kinds of performance camshafts and valvetrain parts for nearly every potentially high-performance American made engine manufactured. As I recall, many Studebaker 56J owners and other Packard hot-rodders utilised their products. I've searched for other adjustable valve options for the Packard V8s but couldn't find any that appeared readily adaptable.

Speaking of icons, does anyone know of any definitive sources for biographical information on Colonel Vincent? I have noted that information, other than references to automotive, marine, aeronautical, patent and other technical publications, there seems to be very little biographical information available in easily accessed public domains other than the occasional brief piece in the two Packard Club publications.

Since discovering this site, I've never gone longer than a day or so without checking it out - even when on the road for extended periods. Sometimes, if fact frequently, I don't sign on but peruse the forums, new articles, etc, generally only bothering to sign on when I've got something to say or an enquiry to make.

I cannot imagine anyone who is interested in Packards - and who knows about the site - not checking it out almost daily. There's a greater wealth of knowledge and expertise here than anywhere else, on the web, that I've ever found. Great work, everyone - and richly deserved growth and success.

Turbopacman wrote: "Try B&M Trickshift, it's what I have in mine, and I have had zero problems with it. IT sat in a field for 40 years before I got ahold of it, and all I've done to it is put in a new converter seal, drop the pan and clean it all out, and change the fluid. It'll probably last another 68,000 miles."

I, too, have had good service from B&M Trickshift. My car ('55 Pat) regularly makes the trip from Orlando to Miami and back at typical Florida's Turnpike speeds.

My transmission, although shifting, was very balky and the direct drive clutch would sometimes slip when I got the car four years ago. Taking the pan off cleaning filter and the gunk out of everything and refilling with, first, Dexron and, second, Type F made shifting smoother but, under acceleration, the direct drive clutch would sometimes slip. The Trickshift (about 2500 miles ago) made an instant improvement and slippage has stopped altogether. I put this stuff in a VERY used '57 Pontiac Star Chief, some 30 years ago, that wouldn't even move and drove it for another two years. Trickshift is one of the few products that lives up to at least part of its advertising.

If you use it, however, I recommend the original, "dino-juice," formula - NOT the synthetic. The synthetic variety is reportedly engineered for modern (post 2000) transmissions and does not firm up shifting in old transmissions as well.

I believe that they're posted, by year, on the PAC (Packard Automobile Classics) website.

Mr Pushbutton

I've been running one of the (solid state) T/L control units on my car now for a little over a year. Like you, I assume that they're using the 555 timers but haven't taken it apart to verify. Being very familiar with the ice cube style relays from my days selling and installing low voltage card key entry and exit systems in commercial buildings, I would have attempted that, myself, if hadn't been on the road working and depending on someone else.

The solid state control box seems to work exactly as the old one did (until it died) and have made several road trips (the latest being from Orlando to Miami and back through some fairly heavy rain showers, day before yesterday). I've got the '55 Pat adjusted to sit about an inch higher in the rear (just because I prefer it that way). Works for me.

Two major Packard Clubs, Packard V8 club, various regional clubs, owners who don't belong to any of them, owners who belong to one or more clubs but don't bother to register their cars with all or any of them come to mind. The reasons are varied and legion.

Does this look like what you need? I'm not sure that it's original but appears to be and was in the car ('55 Pat) when I bought it. Could probably find a small piece underneath the back seat or somewhere.

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Or -- you could put your left foot on the brake, put it in low, wind it up and floor the, "exhiliarator," when you release the brake --- Oh! Oh! Excuse me. A little regression took me there for a second ---- but you could tell from the tire marks during acceleration and the whisper marks when you let off the throttle.

"Also I was thinking the same about the driving here, as I'm renting a car tomorrow in Boise Idaho togo view the '41 Coupe I'm buying, and I'm a bit nervous about the other side of the road thing."

As a veteran of over twenty year service in the (US) air force, have had occasion to drive in GB, Australia, Thailand and Japan. Most of the serious accidents involving driving on the opposite side of the road from the one that you're most used to were (in my experience) caused by US military personnel driving American made vehicles with left hand drive in these countries. This combination creates a normal tendency to perform an abnormal operation (turning the wrong way into traffic on the WRONG side of the road). Having driven both LHD and RHD vehicles on both sides of the road, it is my experience that, as long as you're driving a vehicle made to be driven on whatever side of the road one normally drives on in whatever country you're driving in - and exercise a normal amount of caution - you'll have very few problems. I learned, early on, to try to avoid situations that required me to drive US military vehicles, off base, in those countries. Also had some slight difficulty in becoming accustomed to changing gears with my left hand in those vehicles with floor-mounted shifting levers. You'll be fine, Mal, after the first few careful hours.

Thanks for the photos, John.

And Mal - have enjoyed the photos from Australia that have shown up on this site in the past and hope that you'll provide us more upon your return home. Good luck with your new acquisition.