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Board index » All Posts (Lee)




Re: Was a 1955 Caribbean modified to make a 1956 Caribbean prototype?
#21
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Leeedy
Quote:

Ozstatman wrote:
Here's a more up to date photo of the elusive Leeedy. Well 2018, that's as up-to-date as I have, when I met Leeedy and he autographed a copy of his book about Creative Industries in the Society of Automotive Historian's tent at Hershey.

Leon, if you don't want your "mug shot" appearing in PackardInfo just say the word and I'll delete the post in it's entirety.


No problem at all. I was also very pleased to meet you in person!

Posted on: 1/19 18:41
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Re: Was a 1955 Caribbean modified to make a 1956 Caribbean prototype?
#22
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Leeedy
Quote:

Packard Don wrote:
That is a great photo. I believe in all the years I’ve been enjoying your posts, there have been only one or two of you!


Ohh? Well... thank you for the kind thoughts and words!

Posted on: 1/19 18:32
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Re: Was a 1955 Caribbean modified to make a 1956 Caribbean prototype?
#23
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Leeedy
Quote:

HH56 wrote:
Quote:

Owen_Dyneto wrote:
Regarding the underseat heater on the 5699s (convertibles), the factory build slips indicate that only 3, #s 1096, 1119 and 1230 were so equipped.

Be interesting to know what part of the country those cars were destined for. With the numbers in known cars installed and presumed later production of the higher numbers it would seem to indicate that maybe the heater was never officially dropped in Caribbeans.

Being a convertible it might be a nice thought in colder areas to have a heater for rear seat passengers riding in spring or fall in cars with the top down. Could also be a customer or dealer might have ordered a fully equipped car by description only without maybe ever seeing the heater installed.

Much as it pains me to say it Cadillac again did Packard one step better with a rear seat heater. Like the multiple side AC air duct outlets in the headliner for their passengers Cadillac first implemented in 54 instead of having only the neck chillers Packard used, they also had unobtrusive rear seat heating in their higher end cars. That was provided by adding ducts built into the doors where hot air directed from special openings in the front heater was picked up to be distributed via outlets in the doors at floor level on both sides of the rear seat area.



Hello...

Sorry. While 1954-56 Cadillacs had a lovely heating system (I rode in a new 1954 convertible regularly... IN Detroit... during winters and summers) the HVAC system couldn't hold a candle to Packard. The very idea of venting A/C via the roof was great for freezing heads. Not so great for cooling. This was well proven on 1956-57 Continental Mark II (I have one and two neighbors bought Mark IIs new).

Packard's 1955-56 theater ventilation approach was light years ahead of Cadillac dinosauric trunk systems and others, except for Pontiac. We can see just by looking at history just how on-target Packard's approach was.

Posted on: 1/18 16:17
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Re: Was a 1955 Caribbean modified to make a 1956 Caribbean prototype?
#24
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Leeedy
Quote:

Owen_Dyneto wrote:
Regarding the underseat heater on the 5699s (convertibles), the factory build slips indicate that only 3, #s 1096, 1119 and 1230 were so equipped.


I have discovered over a lifetime of keeping records on these cars that factory build slips are merely factory build slips.

Cars that were actually in the marketplace, out on the street or even with dealerships and distributors sometimes differed. Some were changed after the factory orders were filed (these came over a Telex at Conner Avenue). These changes took place at factory prep, distributors, dealerships. And then there were customers who insisted additions/changes at delivery or after delivery. These were Packard customers (most accustomed to being catered to by dealers) in an era of when you ordered a car rather than taking "the blue one or red one" simply because they were pre-ordered and sitting on the lot– like today. And Caribbeans were the creme-de-la-creme of V8 Packards. Therefore, someone buying one of these cars new was not merely a generic "John Q. Customer."

I had a 1956 Caribbean hardtop with factory underseat heater. I have inspected others that were likewise so equipped.

But yes, officially underseat heaters were not standard equipment on 1956 Caribbeans. One of the reasons (and a Packard engineer told me this) was the difference in the seat design and issues related to it.

Posted on: 1/18 15:59
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Re: Was a 1955 Caribbean modified to make a 1956 Caribbean prototype?
#25
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Leeedy
Quote:

humanpotatohybrid wrote:
I'm not an expert on Caribbeans, but I'm pretty sure with enough time and money to waste you could take virtually everything of aesthetic importance from a 56 and put it on a 55. As Howard alluded to, it's well known that a number of 55 cars that were sitting on lots into MY56 had some aesthetic additions, such as extra trim, to help them move off the lot (often with random accessories added too).


Adding extra trim or 1956 parts, etc. did really nothing to "move them off the lot"... but rather did a lot to reduce profit margin if the dealer truly was having troubles selling cars. SOME dealers who were enterprising dreamed up all manners of tricks to distinguish cars they were selling. Earle C. Anthony, for instance, equipped some of the V-8 Packards they sold with "Luber-Finer" oil filtration systems or GM "Autronic Eye" automatic headlight dimmers. This didn't mean they were having troubles selling cars and they were not struggling to move anything "off the lot." At least not until word got out that Packard was shutting down production.

Frankly there were some, like ECA, who simply could not get enough cars to sell!

Yes there were indeed some Packard dealers who may have had "turtles" on the lot but modifying these cars or loading them with accessories was hardly the solution to this specific problem. The real problem was trying to get mid-1950s buyers to buy Packards where there was so much rumor and subterfuge going on about the company at the time! Things back then were very, very different from today's mindset.

Posted on: 1/15 21:03
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Re: Was a 1955 Caribbean modified to make a 1956 Caribbean prototype?
#26
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Leeedy
Quote:

Caribbeandude wrote:
question, does anyone know if a a 1955 Caribbean was modified in 1955 to make a 1956 Caribbean prototype? heard of a surviving car with 1956 seats and trim with a 1955 Data plate, thanks!



I have told the story many times in car magazines, Packard Club publications and events and mentioned it online. So, yes, if you are referencing a convertible, certainly this car was absolutely positively built and I rode in it when it was brand new. Still have Polaroid shots of the car sitting in the engineer's garage next to his Patrician. I have been keeping up with these cars since they were new. Some were done at Creative Industries of Detroit (see the book) and some were done at a place called "Modern Engineering"– which I knew quite well.

People today use the term "prototype" often to describe any Packard they feel is unusual or with construction differences. Or uncommon accessories. But this is not what constitutes a factory prototype. One enterprising source a few years ago claimed to be selling a "rare 2-seater Caribbean sports car factory prototype concept." Wow. I inspected this thingy up close in Scottsdale, AZ and it turned out to be a customized 1956 Patrician– with late serial number... with Chevy, VW and other bogus parts including a Costco aftermarket console. In reality, there were precious few 1955 and 1956 Packard genuine factory prototypes. I know one when I see one.

As for the Caribbean at Aldrich Restorations, I presume this reference is to a hand-built "pilot production" press car. I have written an intensive report for Pat Aldrich on this Caribbean some time ago. This vehicle was serial number one 1956 HARDTOP. It did not have a 1955 serial plate, but rather a 1956 serial plate in the door jamb. It was used in numerous press photos and showings all over the country. But it is not a "prototype." It is an early hand-build pilot production vehicle. Even today, such pilot production vehicles are often used as press cars. Ask me how I know...


Click to see original Image in a new window

Posted on: 1/15 20:46
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Re: Susan Johnson - RIP
#27
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Leeedy
Quote:

ECAnthony wrote:
Susan Johnson passed away on Tuesday, January 2, at the age of 79. She contracted Covid a few weeks ago. I spoke to her on Sunday, and she seemed to be getting better, but then she took a turn for the worse the next day.

Susan was the Packard Club's Vice President of Hospitality, and arranged the dinner during the Hershey swap meet each October for the PAC Board of Directors for many years. She was the recipient of PAC's George Weiss Award for Meritorious Service to the Packard hobby in 2023.

No other details are known at this time. She is survived by her husband, Bill, and two of her beloved dogs.


This is heartbreaking news, just terrible. Susan (Sue) was such an aura of light, energy and fun. She made the PAC Hershey tent glow with hospitality and spirit. Sue gave everyone a feeling of belonging and lit up dozens of conversations. Passionate and energetic...sincere and a friend of friends.

It is a crushing disappointment to lose Susan as a friend and fellow explorer in life, the world and Packards. She will be very very missed.

My heart goes out to Bill and the fur babies.

Posted on: 1/12 15:30
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Re: Packards International magazine back issues
#28
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Leeedy
Quote:

humanpotatohybrid wrote:
Yes, I don't particularly care about having a complete copy, it's just the 2-3 vintage Packard articles/ads per issue that would be nice to extract. But it would end up being over 100 pages to scan manually.


Copyrights don't work like that. Just because you copy (extract) an article or two out of the magazine does not mean that article is any less copyrighted than the whole magazine. Artists and writers and publishers are entitled to own their own creations– no matter how this may look to those who don't create. If someone pirates a verse from a song, or a minute or two of a feature film, or a live performance... they are still pirating intellectual property that is protected under federal copyright laws.

It's like being a "little bit dead." It is always better to obtain official permission to use or otherwise copy materials, properties, works etc.

Ask anyone who has a web site or internet domain just how "free" all this stuff really is. This is a myth. The so-called "free internet" is not free for those who have to provide the "free" part...

Posted on: 1/6 2:13
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Re: 56 Caribbean Convertible Rejuvenation
#29
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Leeedy
Quote:

CarFreak wrote:
So the Caribbean is still running well. I had some issues with the carbs sticking in high idle. One time it was the secondaries not closing and the next was the linkage binding. But the more I drive it the more comfortable it gets with just being a car.

Had an issue with the suspension, turned out the on off switch needed cleaning. So that was addressed.

Filled up the new tank that was installed and noticed it was leaking and no amount of tightening the line would get it to stop. Found out the female connection in the tank was spinning. So I had to get that repaired. Now no leaks!!

I also got a 56 CT plate for the front! the wife got me one for Christmas and was able to finally put it on. CT because the sticker on the windshield is from a submarine base up there, so I am assuming it spent some time up there after it was purchased new in DC.

This past weekend was the first time the top was put down on that car in YEARS (by us anyway)! it was nice, until I had to put it up. I had to essentially push the top back up while having the button pushed in on the dash. It went down fine, slow like it always did, but it just stopped when it got a couple inches out of the top well. Would this be a weak motor? low on fluid? is there a process to go through to check this out?

Thanks!




For years I was part owner of an automotive trim shop and we repaired and replaced thousands of convertible tops. I knew most of the major players in the convertible business. This included the OEM level of the car business where I helped develop new convertibles and tops.

If you are a member of The Packard Club, check back in old Cormorant News Bulletins and see the full procedure with illustrations I wrote. I also wrote a similar procedure for Classic Auto Restorer magazine back in 1995.

I have said it many, many times and posted instructions. The first rule of owning and operating a convertible with a power top is to never, ever put the top down until you perform some checks. You can lube the daylights out of the pivot points on the top and it usually means little or nothing at all. And one should never, ever push or pull on a Caribbean convertible top. The topstack frame on these cars includes aluminum alloy components that are extremely brittle by now. The least amount of un-balanced pressure one way or the other can weaken, crack or even snap off one of these components. Then you're in for real trouble.

If one lowers a convertible top that has not been lowered in lengthy periods, the very first thing one should do –prior to lowering– is clean the ram rods from the power rams. These rods should be rust-free, slick and shiny. Skipping this step and simply lowering a top that has been sitting un-used for years often means you tear or completely blow the ram seals. And other damage can occur.

Also the fluid in convertible top systems (especially if it was brake fluid) did and does the same thing that brake systems do when left sitting for extended periods. the stuff gets weak, evaporates, dries up, even crystalizes. Check it first. Any evidence of crystalizing? Flush the system... clean and check the pump motor... clean and check the rams.

THEN operate the top.

Here are pages from the original June, 1995 Classic Auto Restorer magazine article I wrote. Please note that these are copyright © 1995 Leon Dixon:

Attach file:



jpeg  ConvertibleTopMaint1WM.jpeg (1,458.01 KB)
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jpeg  ConvertibleTopMaint2WM.jpeg (1,045.58 KB)
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jpeg  ConvertibleTopMaint3WM.jpeg (1,257.59 KB)
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jpeg  ConvertibleTopMaint4WM.jpeg (1,173.70 KB)
1249_6595e511e6141.jpeg 4630X6448 px

jpeg  ConvertibleTopMaint5WM.jpeg (1,493.97 KB)
1249_6595e62122e87.jpeg 4578X6426 px

Posted on: 1/3 17:12
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Re: Packard Bikes
#30
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Leeedy
In discussing Packard bicycles during this thread, many questions and mentions of other Packard-branded items have emerged.

So to wrap up 2023, I thought I would share yet another amazing "Packard" item I'll bet most of you have neither seen nor heard about. It was called the Packard "Pla-Mor" audio speaker system. It was a futuristic juke box. Take a look at this fascinating wildness from 1946...!

Yes... the special Pla-Mor speaker system hung from ceilings. The dazzling Pla-More hanging speakers rotated and featured colored lighting. Futuristic stuff for the 1940s.

Lest I forget to mention, Packard Pla-Mor hanging speakers rotated and contained colored lights– but Sham-Wow! Wait... there's more. The rotating hanging speaker units contained a special reservoir for bubble-making fluid! Yessssss, that's right. Long before Lawrence Welk and his champagne bubble machine there was the Packard Pla-Mor system spewing out bubbles as it spun above the listeners and dancers below!

And no... Packard Motor Car Company didn't make these amazing audio systems. But wow! Imagine having one of these dangling from the ceiling at your New Year's celebration!

Attach file:



jpg  PackardPla-MorSpeaker2.JPG (141.25 KB)
1249_659038e439f0a.jpg 598X828 px

Posted on: 12/30 10:37
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