That is a wonderful looking old limo. Being a 1942 it just has to be a very low production model too. Gives me hopes of finding such a gem closer to my location someday.

https://packardinfo.com/xoops/html/modules/dealer/


Take a tour here. Your answers are therein. Enjoy.

Assessment is now done and a catastrophic failure is clearly evident. (Lo Jodi`)

Damage was found to be more extensive than I thought or hoped. In my mind's eye, though the RPM's were somewhat accelerated, I cannot believe that in addition to the U-joint failing, I also see a hairline crack in the universal joint flange (yoke) as well. My inclination is that the old gal is going to be down for a while and I'm going to need a professional man or shop to replace the flange and then reset the internals surrounding the pinion ring and other components. This kind of repair is way above my pay grade and or skill set.

I am very interested in what Craig H, Randy B., Keith L., and Howard H., and others think. I just cannot believe that the manner in which I have driven this car would cause the flange to crack as seen. I've been told that other than this most recent mishap, I drive like an old man.

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Hello all,

What a terrific day I had today. I took the Packard out for a spin and ended up driving to Summerhaven, AZ. Summerhaven is actually the small village atop the Santa Catalina Mountains or what we locals refer to as, Mt. Lemmon.

Given our temperatures here and the 15% alcohol in our fuels, I'm always a bit leery of such summertime excursions during the daytime. But what the heck, what could happen and I've got AAA auto insurance, an American Express card and I'm an adventurer at heart.

So after some morning yard-work, I decided to fetch myself an adult beverage atop our lovely mountains. From our home, at approximately 2300' above sea level, I would be driving a mere (25) miles to Summerhaven to find the cool temperatures present at 9000'. Tall ponderosa pines and a cold one with my name on it awaits.

The drive drive up was virtually flawless. I detected one 'hiccup' but the old gal recovered and drove on. I have an electric fuel pump, and I must use it driving on my summertime cruises. The closest fuel station with alcohol-free fuel is down in Benson AZ or up in the Phoenix valley.

Upon arrival, I find that I'm not alone atop the mountain. I discover that other Tucsonans are looking for a brief respite from the heat as well. I manage to park my 400 and then I go in for an ice cold beer. Yes just one. A pint of Bud Light was my choice. Served in a chilled / cold glass, and guess what? I'm loving life.
So I 'nurse' the Bud for a while and then decide, enough; time to go back down the mountain. The ride down, with all my windows open is something I truly enjoy. There is nothing like a fresh clean breeze enveloping oneself. Hell my hardtop is almost a convertible isn't it? Well, maybe a convertible someday, but I don't have 100k lying around to build and or purchase that Onyx black Caribbean with teal stripe at the current time. So just drive the Packard Kevin!

Well, I get the 400 started and she is burping a bit. I managed to get her turned around, and I enter the Catalina Highway. She stalls, but given my locale, she rolls back towards a stop sign. I'm out of the traffic way, I get her restarted. Took a few turns of the key, and a bit of feathering the accelerator, but she is running.
For future reference, allow one's rebuilt Packard engine, with 4L60E transmission time to come back to idle. Don't shift selector into DRIVE while RPM's are somewhat above normal!
Boom! Holy %^)(DDFH%$#@!))KKJ&^. I didn't even need to get out of the Packard. I knew it, heard it and felt it! I blew up the rear u-joint. Clank! Son of a sea cook!
Well.............I called AAA and had another couple of Bud Lights waiting for them to arrive. Nice young man showed up. And what the heck .......... let's rain on Tucson's prettiest 1955 Packard too while we are at it.
I survived, the Packard is now in the carport (not the garage) and I hope you all take similar adventures in stride.

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What is the story with the rear glass? I've not seen that before.

Stewart............... Packards have always impressed the multitudes. I can't wait to see yours rolling through the Bluegrass State!

I put 76 miles on the Packard this morning. She drove beautifully along I-10, downtown surface streets and secondary arterial roads. Weather was dry and temperatures were in the 80's, but climbing upwards.

While in downtown Tucson, I met a fellow that restores old motorcycles. We talked for about 20 minutes. The Packard enthralled him. He peppered me with all kinds of questions. His personal belief is for people to 'ride them; don't hide them'. I like that, but I'll modify it just a bit to, 'drive them; don't hide them!'

Also, while parked downtown, I had a couple of guys actually stop mid-street, to ask me what kind of car I had. "Packard", I yelled.......it didn't compute with them, because as you all know the follow question then came, "Who made Packard?". I did my duty. I gave the famed explanation!

The Packard also did something else for the very first time. She made a griffin stop dead in it's tracks! Yep......take a peek .........pictures don't lie!

Enjoy your Packards ladies and gentlemen.

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re: post 489.


Looking at picture 52 in the for sale advertisement for the '55 Caribbean, what is the device positioned across the bonnet just forward of the radiator? A hood support? Is / was that an original Packard accessory?

What a beautiful automobile!

Happy you both enjoyed a quick trip to the past. Take care.

Taken just a while ago and a bit down the road apiece. Enjoy the moments that these images represent my Packard friends.

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