HH

Re the heater unit in my RHD Clipper. Does this look like a Packard heater unit?

Yes, both fresh air vents are attached to the dash control knobs. The flaps in the ducts are working on both sides. There is a new-looking water circuit cut-off switch in the engine compartment attached by cable to one of the control knobs on the dash, but the fan in the heater unit does not seem to switch on when the heater or defroster is operating. Have not tried all combinations of control settings. The working parts of the heater look virtually unused - not surprising with our climate! Not top of my list to get it working, for this reason.

Brian

Hello Leeedy

Yes, it occurred to me later that the rivets may have been required here. That's the case for other vehicle ID plates such as VIN plates. I know the registration people here object to screws and those little threaded "nails" for attaching plates. I've never seen a car here with a spot-welded plate, but you'd think that would be regarded as acceptable.

And the registration people here are the same ones who insisted on changing the engine number. The logic is hard to follow.

Looking closely at my plate, fairly sure it would have been removed when the car was repainted. Whether it had rivets prior to that, I don't know. But the previous owner will!

Brian

Leeedy

That's interesting. I also wondered why there were no paint or trim codes on the plate. I suspect the plate was removed and reaffixed when the car was repainted dark blue in the mid-1980s. It was originally yellow with a white roof, although the interior trim did not changed then and is basically still white vinyl with black piping and black fabric seat inserts.

I have not checked the codes for this colour combination, because they were missing from the VN plate. I assume that the car was not originally painted or trimmed in Australia.

I'll check back with the guy who restored and repainted the car in the 1980s. No doubt he'll remember what happened with the plate. The number on the plate is correct, because it was always registered here with that VN number (56226194) as the chassis number, and with the assigned engine number stamped on the block (V5711150P). I assumed that replacement VN plates were not available that long ago. Maybe that's not right. Even if they were, the paperwork indicates that the VN number didn't change.

Brian

Hello Leeedy

There's a fairly clear pic in an earlier post of the vehicle plate on the left hand door jamb in my car.

I'll post it here again.

Cheers

Brian

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Dave

Yes, it's beginning to look like that, but it would have needed more than the dash to do the RHD conversion. I do have a copy of the UK road test, thanks.

I was told by a previous owner that the heater in my car is Smiths brand (not to be confused with Smiths instruments in UK). That is an Australian product that went into large numbers of locally built cars here. It does look like the heaters fitted to many Packards around that time. I can't see a brand name on it. I'll try to get some pics. It may in fact be an earlier Packard item, as you say.

Brian

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Thanks for the info and pics guys. Sorry, Leeedy!

Yes, it's possible that my car was shipped as a LHD. If so, it must have come with a kit of RHD components for the conversion. The dash is definitely a factory job, and a mirror of the LHD version. Quite a few other mechanical bits too, like Ultramatic linkage, steering gear etc. It did get a locally fitted heater (on the opposite side) and a radio and later, electric wipers.

LHD to RHD conversions are very common here now, but were not then. Quite a few US cars were built here in the 1940/50s with Australian bodies.

I guess the Production Order will help answer some of these questions, when I finally see it.

O-D the paint on the block of my engine would probably obscure the Utica engine number, if it's there. Will have to do some scraping when I go looking for it. Most likely will find it.

Cheers

Brian

Ok after wrestling with problems on the Studebaker Museum website, I have ordered a copy of the Production Record for my car. Since it was RHD and export, I'm wondering if they actually have a record of it. I assume they do since it has a numbered VN plate. So there's no record in the Studebaker Archives of 1956 400s and Caribbeans. Guess that includes your car O-D.

Based on what Leedy said, my car must have been "built" at Conner. I don't recall where I saw it, but I made a note some time ago that a total of 5,715 1956 Clipper Deluxe were built (Model 5622, but maybe not including export cars although the plate on mine suggests otherwise). The chart on this site corresponds exactly to that, indicating that the last VN on a 1956 Clipper Deluxe was 6715. I assume since my car has a numbered plate that this figure included some or all of the export cars.

Yes, Leedy, I do belong to the Packard Club now so look forward to seeing the article about Conner Avenue in The Cormorant.

Brian

Thanks for setting me straight on that. Yes, I misinterpreted it as vehicle number, which didn't make much sense. I've already sent a note to the Studebaker Museum archives asking about this car. May not hear back for a while, because apparently nobody there right now.

Think I'll just go ahead and order the build sheet.

Leedy, thanks for the info regarding the Conner plant. Sounds like you know quite a bit more about it than has been published. Very helpful.

Until recently, I had no idea where my Clipper was built. Now I know it was partially assembled at Conner, and finished in Australia. If I can get the build sheet, I might learn more.

Cheers

Brian

Just found from their website that the Studebaker Museum only has production orders for 1956 Packards up to number 5682. My Clipper is 6194, so appears they do not have a record for this car.

Their office is closed now because of the coronavirus, but I'll send a message to check this.

Brian

Thanks for the lead. I'll try that.

Brian