Mal,
Congrats on the new project blog - "Wades Workshop"

You are indeed a busy, self confessed Packard Zealot.

It is a good thing you are retired so you can keep up with yourself.

May you enjoy many (mishap-free) miles in the "ONE1941."

DanL

I am confused. I thought that Briggs built all of the 7-passenger sedans and the limos both the Super Eight Super Eight Deluxe as well as the Custom for the 22nd and 23 series. I seem to remember a statement from Briggs saying that the demand for their hearses and Ambulances had increased to the point that they were unable to continue the production of 7-passenger and limo cars for Packard. I'd love to know your source.

Thanks for the updates, Kevin, keep 'em coming!

Can you get a couple more pictures of this green on green mid-50's Packard - that's the original colors of mine and I want to use them as reference - thanks!

Today's Pics posted in the Unidentified Category. Most cars will show up tomorrow, so more to come. Enjoy.

-Your On Scene Reporter.

Friday Miday Report:

Arrived here this mrning bright and early at the hotel and was greated by Mike Grimes (mlgrimes) as soon as I walked in the door. Got all checked into my room, and off to a nice breakfast with Mike, who is a great guy and owns 5 different Packards.

So we got all registered and sat down for the first seminar this morning that covered the PI's judging procedures and they also opened the floor to discuss the their proposed Chassis Judging guide. At the end of this seminar the PI speaker let everyone know about the Pinfo.com website, and I answered some question for folks and passed out cards with the website info. So thanks to PI for giving the website an announcement.

Also during the seminar I meet Russ (and later Joanne and Daniel) from OZ, and also James (Packard38) from Calgary. All the nicest people. I believe more PInfo folks are due in later tonight and in the morning.

Most of the cars are either in transit, or on trailers until the show in the morning. But I did snap a few picks of a nice 48 Limo, a 54 Cavalier, and 3 different V-12 Packards. Those pictures will post shortly.

Then off to a quick lunch with Mike, Russ, Joanne, and Daniel.

In the afternoon session, they had a gentlemen from Mother's polish doing a demo of the various Mother's products on the V-12s that's were staged in the room. Pretty neat stuff. He also said that all the attendees were going to get a care-package from Mothers.

During a break a gentlemen overheard me mention I had a '54 and asked if I would be interested in a few parts. So for $105 I got a working '54 Wonder-bar radio with extra tubes, 2 spare fuel-pump cores, 2 water-pump cores, and "mystery box" of misc parts, and a box of misc Packard literature and magazines. Nothing like a little pre-swapmeet shopping! the Wonder-bar will make a nice upgrade to the Clipper.

More reports to follow....

Gerardo: Well I guess I stand corrected about Fiat and profit made by Ferrari.

How ever I must point out that the article you quote your figures concerning Ferrari's growth rate and pre tax profits through 2010 on projections made by Morgan Stanley
don't hold much water these days. The article was written back in July 2008 since then the economic climate in the world has changed, so the figures quoted aren't worth anything some almost seven months later.

It is very interesting how Fiat helps prop Ferrari up with selling most of its engine production to another company owned by Fiat MASERATI.

Like I stated before Fiat doesn't have the money on hand to start up production and build up a dealer network from scratch in the US. The over $ 6 billion dollars that Fiat is trying to borrow to purchase the two French companies is proof. Think they might have a tough time trying to raise that much money since Fiat is only valued at $ 7.5 billion dollars.

If it wouldn't have been for the payment of $ 3.1 billion dollars made by GM to Fiat in 2004 and the back door help by the government of Italy, Fiat might not be in business today.

I might ad that part of the reason that Chrysler is in such bad shape today is because of another Euro company located in Germany that mis managed Chrysler.

Don't take me wrong I like the super performance cars produced in Italy. Like I have stated in the past about Rolls Royce over hyped and over priced. I think the same thing pertains to the Italian super cars produced in your nation.

$ for $ the American super cars like Corvette and Viper are a better valve and will match for performance anything produced in your country.

John F. Shireman

And also

"The reason that Fiat is willing to take a 35% share in Chrysler is because they don't have the cash to start from scratch to build factories and a dealership network to sell its autos in the US. The only reason that Fiat was able to obtain a 35% share of Chrysler is because Cerberus the parent company of Chrysler wants to get out of the auto business."

If Chrysler were a truly worthwhile company it would not find it's self in this pathetic position:

From Edmunds:

"Fiat reportedly is considering taking another 20 percent of Chrysler but will pay for this one, albeit still a pittance. Word is it will decide within the year if it will take the added stake and pay Chrysler $25 million for it. Reuters, quoting a source close to the Fiat industrial group, said Fiat's decision to add the stake will depend on whether it sees Chrysler as having a chance to survive as a going concern."

http://www.autoobserver.com/2009/01/threesome-fiat-looks-to-link-with-peugeot-as-well-as-chrysler-reports-say.html

And let me address the quote:


"First of all I really doubt that Fiat is making any real great profit from Ferrari or Maserati. "

Oh really?

From the Times:

"Last year, turnover hit ?1.67 billion, producing a profit of ?266 million. That figure is set to rise, giving Ferrari a pre-tax profit margin of 19 per cent by 2010, according to Morgan Stanley, compared with 15.9 per cent last year. On that basis, it would be more profitable than Porsche, often thought of as the world's most profitable carmaker."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/engineering/article4326982.ece

And this:

"As for performance the American cars like Corvette and the Dodge Viper will hold their own against anything that Ferrari builds."

Who knows... Consumer Reports might very well agree... but it's a false argument really. Ferrari is in a completely different class and price range. Just as you can't compare a Cadillac to a Rolls.

Perhaps one should ask: could any American manufacturer build an auto like the Ferrari... that level of style, sophistication and world-wide desirability? I don't think so. Ferrari owners do not lust after Corvettes... or Vipers (for God's sake) but I'm sure plenty of Corvette and Viper owners would love to own a Ferrari.

Wanted to add an enlightening post about some great feat of success on a random monumental task recently accomplished, but there's none. Hell, at this moment I bet it's about a balmy 19 degrees in the garage, and now the door is frozen shut due to the lovely New England winter conditions. Couldn't take it out if I wanted to. Have to stare at it through the window. After that, I head in before the feet freeze down, drop another log on the fire, enjoy a frosty beverage, and think about it. I sure do miss my Packard!

Or when she was just small....

Remember, what the door mouse said!