Wow! I am surprised anyone is making sheetmetal like this. Wow again!

I don't know if it would be easy or not for people like C2Custom who are already fabricating, but man, would it be cool to be able to get good replacement trim moldings, either already chromed or at least smooth and ready to be chromed.

Seeing a whole trunk pan for $99 makes me think, "Wow, that's a good price for a big-a$$ chunk of metal. I wonder if the trim moldings, being so much smaller, would be lots cheaper. If so, I could see almost everyone with a non-show-ready Packard buying replacement trim on a regular basis."

Reading the automotive news this about Fiat has been very interesting to say the least.

Since announcing a deal to obtain a 35% in Chrysler, Fiat also announce a deal with BMW. The $6.4 billion that I reported that Fiat was trying to borrow turns out that the money would be used instead to buy a controlling interest in Peugeot Citroen Group. If this deal would go through it would make Fiat the third largest auto company in the world
ranking only behind Toyota and GM.

It has also been reported that the Agnelli family which owns a controlling interest of 30% in Fiat, has increased their investment in Fiat to over $ 2.5 billion. This was done so that if the merger with Peugeot Citroen group takes place, they would retain controlling interest in the newly merged companies.


John F. Shireman

Does anyone know where I could get a drivers side door skin or even a whole door for a 1954? I'm restoring a 1954 Clipper Deluxe 2 door and my skin is just filled with lead from an old repair.

Thanks,
David

SAE85W-140 high performance gear oil is an appropriate lubricant and is offered by many different manufacturers; i usually buy Pennzoil or Valvoline in 5 gallon cans. I've used this in hypoid differentials from the late 20s and up (except 1956 Twin Traction) for decades, never a problem.

Many of the older gear oils had phosphorous and sulfur-based antiwear compounds and the gradual degradation of these is what causes the odor you noted. It sure can stink.

I also use the same gear oil in all standard transmissions from 1932 and up, and also the steering gear boxes.

I noticed that Eastwood has come out with their own line of HVLP paint guns that are geared towards the low CFM home compressor market. Has anyone tried on of these?

http://www.eastwoodco.com/jump.jsp?itemID=1801&itemType=CONTENT

I've heard that some of the old rear end oil actually used animal fats in it. So when you open up a rear end thats been sealed for awhile, WHOA!! it is pretty rancid.

is this true?

I must say the the gear oil that is in my Diff is the smellest stuff ever. I must have scrubbed my hands 30 times and I can still smell it.

After I have the rear axles back in, I am going to change the Diff fuild. Any recommendation for fluid on my '54 Clipper?

Though I subscribe to Hemmings Classic Car, I rarely even glance at Hemmings Motor News anymore - just not shopping (or selling) much these days. However, as a fan of Packard's postwar concept cars, that sure comes as interesting news.

I'm guessing that cars #3 and #4 were the Panthers that had '55 tailights installed. The #3 car must be the "Mitchell Panther"; judging from the color combo and the reference to an Indiana museum, that is probably the Panther that I saw on display at the Stude museum (the former Freeman-Spicer dealership building) about 20 years ago. The #4 car must be the black/white two-tone that I saw in the White field at Hershey almost a decade earlier.

Good chart; someone should bring the chain of ownership and other details up to date.

Apparently there was a two-tone option for the '48-'49 models

Yes, for the 22nd series cars, but no factory two tone for the 1949 23rd series cars. I believe the 48-54 parts book is on this website and it lists all the two-tone combinations, but here they are again. They sure had a love affair with that Egyptian Sand Metallic!

Code SC - upper - Coronet Blue Metallic; lower and wheels Egyptian Sand Metallic.

Code NC - upper Sylvan Green Metallic; lower and wheels Egyptian Sand metallic.

Code MC - upper Aztec Brown Metallic; lower and wheels Egyptian Sand Metallic.

Code HC - upper Agate Blue Metallic; lower and wheels Egyptian Sand Metallic.

Code HC - upper Lexington Green Metallic; lower and wheels Egyptian Sand Metallic

Code LC - upper Sandonyx Brown Metallic; lower and wheels Egyptian Sand Metallic

Code DF - upper Serpentine Green Metallic; lower and wheels Golden Green Metallic.

The above car is either LC or MC.

Apparently there was a two-tone option for the '48-'49 models as per the directory.

Attach file:

---

  (12.76 KB)