For the first time in about a year, our '41 Clipper rolled out the garage on its own power with a brand new R-11 OD tranny under the hump (more on that later). I'm hoping to improve on the 15 mpg we'd been getting on tours. Our '52 Mayfair with Ultramatic gets about 15 also.

For what it's worth, there is a very nice 53 Patrician on ebay right now for $13K:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200494614274&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

And a '54 Patirician "barn find" at $2500:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330450461568&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

The man who owns one, FYI: If it's the engine that the car was born with, it's a 288 and the tranny is the standard 3-gear on the tree....and I don't see an overdrive. Do you need any antique farm machinery? Everything I own is old!

I too got the same run around from DuPont, but was very successful with getting a perfect match from, believe-it-or-not, Sherwin Williams Automotive Finishes!

Here is a set of skirts on ebay right now:
item number 180518437062

Here is a '34 12 on ebay for a lot less $$$...I guess you coud say it was Al Capone's....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290433908802&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

I had the same experience when I was looking for a tranny for my '41, all with UK addresses. They all had "the part I was looking for in good condition in stock, shipping included. They all had prices 1ess than what shipping sould be!

I was having a lot of trouble with a positive ground electric fuel pump on our '27 Pontiac (fuel was literally melting the internal parts) so I went to NAPA and bought their most expensive 6V unit and it has worked very well. I can't remember the brand name, but the guys behind the counter said it was "new gas" proof, and it was!

Back in the day I know that Ford owned the hot-rodders hearts with their V-8's, but did the little Packard 6 ever rival them? What kind of "speed parts" were (or are) available for the peppy little Packard six of the late 30's and early 40's?

Dave, sorry I haven't responded about the WW width...been busy. I'm not home now but will get back Sunday and I'll measure the white sidewall then.