Are you sure the clutch is fully disengaging when the pedal is depressed? What's the pedal free play? And yes, using a heavier viscosity gear oil might be helpful but it may well just be masking a more fundamental issue. Proper gear oil viscosities are given in the owner's manual, you'll want a GL1 type.

True, the exact number will probably never be known. But it's highly unlikely at most to be even a handful more than 51 for the 883 style; Blackman's data captured 91% of all the 1935 Super Eight production and of the remainder, we need to keep in mind that open car production was a quite small component of the overall.

I've just been provided with an advance copy of an article prepared by Charles Blackman prior to his passing covering all the 1935 and 1936 Senior 8-cylinder models, the article is scheduled for publication soon in the Packard Club quarterly publication and was provided to me by the editor for the purposes of updating this thread. Mr. Blackman's research using highest known sequential number methodology indicates production of the 883 was at least 51 units. Thanks for editor Stuart Blond for providing the information!

If any factory records were kept in this era by individual body type, they have not survived. The factory did keep such records in the postwar era. And yes, 1392 is the production of all 12th Series Super Eights including the several wheelbases and all body styles. Estimates of production by body style are available, you might contact the Packard Club roster keeper for your year and model who may have that information handy. Estimates are based on the highest known sequential portion of your vehicle number which of course is specific to your particular chassis and body type. For example, if your vehicle number is 883-250 and numbering started at 201, you'd know that at least 50 were produced. I've been collecting such data for decades, the highest known 883 number that I'm personally aware of is 883-209.

Charles Blackman who just recently passed made a career of studying such production numbers for prewar cars and much of his work has been published by the Packard Club, if you're not a member perhaps you should consider it. I've got his data for your vehicle somewhere, if I can locate it I'll amend this post with his conclusions.

The loop with the fixed end of the leather strap fastens to the top bow, you only thread it thru the other loop when you're securing the top in the down position at which time it's all concealed by the boot.

At least for 1956 the loop for the fixed Coachman's Strap belongs on the INSIDE, otherwise it would interfere with the mounting of the boot.

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Multi-disc clutch, is it not?

As far as the distributor condenser is concerned, NAPA/Echlin AL-869 is an acceptable, near-universal alternative for many, many applications, the prewar Senior Packards among them.

The function of the steering column switches is covered in the owner's manual. The left switch controls all the parking and headlight functions including the high beams and the switch on the right is the hand throttle.

No. Not necessary to remove the front clip, or even to remove the radiator. But you will need to remove the fan, and if the front motor mount has sagged much you may have to lift the front of the motor a bit with a jack underneath to access the pump bolts that are in close proximity to the mount.