I agree with Owen that a fresh, tight motor may well put more heat into the cooling system than one that is broken in.

Here's the problem I have with the idea that this is common today.

Think about it - when these cars were new, weren't they "tight" ?

Think about it - when these cars were new - especially when we are discussing cars whose prices, in today's money, approached or exceeded fifty grand......would Packard had gotten its reputation if its cars overheated ?

Packard's pre-war reputation was well-deserved and well-earned - provided its customers with a well-engineered, high quality product.

Whether it was one of the "Junior" series Packards, or one of the big ones, the buyer got an outstanding buy, and a superior product in whatever price-class Packard competed in.

If these assumptions are correct, than clearly people are doing something very wrong these days in repairing Packards.

Given how over-engineered, including how over-cooled Packard products in ANY price class were, it shouldn't take much imagination to realize that many restorers today are doing what today's customers want - costume jewelery that can move under its own power from the trailer to the show field.

My recommendation to anyone who actually wants to drive and enjoy their Packard, is to find out more about the Packard product, and what it would do as a motor-car if given half the chance !

what's the problem...a little rubbing compound and all that will buff right out.....

how about a photograph or two ?

Quote:

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Bull-feathers ! My 1943 Edsel station wagaon will blow the doors off that '67 Packard Grey Ghost of yours......

( the questions I love........"did you buy that new"......"where can you get gas for a car like that"......."do they still make tires for those things"....."we had one just like that...same everything..." ( which...as most of you know...will turn out to be that '43 Edsel Station Wagon.....(except they will tell you theirs was a straight in-line V-17....)

QCMC is correct - he is absolutely right - I should have checked my library - I was at least eight months off on when Packard started promoting the Twin Six. I am no expert on the earlier Packards.

However, I do suggest we recognize that everybody knows what THEY like; to suggest one school-of-design and/or era is somehow "better" dosnt give credit for each having its own merits.

[quote]
3packs wrote:
....... Always heard no tubeless on prewar because of the way the rims are made.........quote]

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Fascinating........wonder how these stories get started, and by whom for what purpose....? ?

[quote]
JoeSantana wrote:
I think it is a legit design question.
Minimal design might be a late '40s Packard 2-door fastback. .....
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I think what you are telling us, is that is what YOU personally like. I have already noted what I personally like. No problem - I just wish we'd all be more honest and simply say which era of design of Packard we personally like.

I don't think a TV announcer is the best place to find a serious discussion of automotive design history...certainly not on a show that claims it is about "chasing CLASSIC cars".....!

I think you are in error to say that a late '40's Packard is of "minimal design". It has a LOT of design - a LOT of design thought went into it - depending on the series, you could have that very aristocratic "cross-hatch" grill which would identify it as having the big "356" engine....true...some people like to call that "school of design" the "bath-tub" series - but again...all a matter of preference - the '48 - '50 "bath-tubs" won several international design awards. "minimal"....to my understanding of American English...not the best choice of words....! I think you'd have to go back before the 1908 Packards to find a "minimal" design...!

May we have a photo of the "trailing edge" of the wind-wing in question ? With that we can give you better advice.

What KIND of "1939 Packard" ?

Some of these folks may be confusing Packard wind-wing construction - many differences between pre-war "Junior" Packards and pre-war "Senior" Packards...in fact...they may as well have been different makes of cars they are so different, lacking any interchangeable parts * *. As for the Clippers and all post-war....same problem....parts are not interchangeable..we need more info. to advise you.

( * * I take that back - even tho 1938 "Junior" and 1938 "Seniors" might as well be from a different manufacturer, there is ONE series of parts that ARE interchangeable...! Door handles, dome light fixtures, and window-cranks ! )

I respectfully suggest that the quoted TV "journalist" is nuts - this is simply a matter of personal preference.

Simple fact is the Packard Motor Car Company produced cars thru many different eras, each with its own design criteria.

I happen to really like the "simplicity" of the 1941 "120" series sedans. I also like the "simplicity" of the "6-48" series ( those huge monster "T" head six cylinder giants that were replaced by the "Twin Six" in the fall of 1914.

Bottom line - I don't think this is a reasonable question...I would phrase it "which is YOUR favorite design".....!

good point, Owen - as noted, I share your curiosity as to what those guys were thinking - at the risk of deviating from this particular thread....what better example than putting needle-bearings in the rocker arms ?