Hello again,

I have been doing a right click then target as as suggested and still it's a roll of the dice as to what will happen. The file shows up in my Documents File but when I try to open it, It just won't fly.
Your idea about the vintage of my Adobe might well be the problem. I'll try downloading the new reader and report back what happens.
I'm using a "High Speed DSL connection from Comcast so that shouldn't be the problem.
Thanks for all the help, and I'll be back.


Jim L. in OR

Hi Again,

In trying to make an informed decision (something new for me) on a purchase of a '51 Packard, I've been browsing through the sites' Library and have run into a problem.
As an example, today I tried to download in the suggested manner, the 1951 Flat Rate Manual. The message I got from Adobe was that "the file had be damaged when opening and could not be repaired". I got the same thing with the '41-'53 Flat Rate Manual along with several others. It just seems sometimes the magic works, sometimes it doesn't.
Anybody got any idea what's going wrong? I'm running XP-Pro.

Jim L. in OR

Hi Everyone,

I'm a recent "joiner" of this site and my previous postings have been about my search for a 55-56 Patrician or 400.
Well many things happen while looking all over and sometimes we trip over something right in front of us.
The upshot of all that is that I've stumbled across a '51 Packard 200 Deluxe Touring Sedan practically in my own back yard.
My question is how easy is it to get replacement items for a 6 volt system: Bulbs, batteries, voltage regulators etc.?
I'm really taken with the simple elegance of the car and am seriously considering going for it IF I'm not going to have to find a time machine to get parts. I notice there are a lot of pre-V8 Packard owners here so I figure I've come to the right place.
Any help/advice would be really appreciated.

Jim L. in OR

Yes there is, thank you, I saw that one. I especially like the green interior. But on close examination of the pictures there didn't seem to be any weatherstripping - anywhere. I asked the seller about it - twice before I got an answer and he said that I was right it was never put on after the re-paint. I'm troubled by the fact he didn't mention that in the description. It makes me wonder what his definition of a "small leak" from the transmission is; or what "a little smoke" from one exhaust is. Given that it was painted "several years ago" how often would you drive a car with no weatherstripping? I mean it's bad enough with worn.
I'll be following this auction closely, but I think I'm going to keep my power dry for a another Patrician that will be surfacing later.
Thanks for the heads up though.

Jim L. in OR

Thank you everyone. I got an e-mail from the seller late last night (had to let the dog out at 3am, so while I was waiting). He was very gracious and has squared the deal with e-bay which e-bay had confirmed in the e-mail before his.
So, alls well that ends well: meaning I didn't lose any money.
Like, Paul, the '55 400 wasn't really the car I was after. I actually have a preference for a '56 Patrician (there is a long story there dating back to my childhood). I got an e-mail today informing me that there is one that will becoming available in the not to distant future. It is also drivable and in pretty great shape for it's age.
So, as I said earlier, alls well that ends well. I know there is one out there with my name on it, so to speak.
Thanks again, everyone!

Jim L. in OR

Thanks Jack,
There seems to be a lot of this going around.
The last sentence of the e-mail I got from the seller contains this thought: "....maybe the universe just saved you and you don't even know it."
I had said in my e-mail I'd sent before receiving the bad news that I'd be flying down for the loading.
I does give one pause.....

Jim L. in OR

Thank you,

I'll be watching, believe me.

Jim L. in OR

Bad news to report.
I got an e-mail today from the seller of the 55 Packard 400. It seems he had a partner in the purchase that had unbeknownst to him and already sold the car to a local guy.
Soooooo it looks like I'm back to square one in the search.
Thanks for all the support and info I got from the group in regards to my aborted purchase.
Anyway no money was lost so I'll begin again.

Jim L. in OR

Thanks! That's real good to know!

Jim L. in OR

Yes, it is and thank you for the advice. I've heard about spraying the penetrating oil of your choice through the spark plug holes and using the flywheel to budge the engine. I've also heard of using the correct socket with a "breaker bar" on the head of the bolt holding the bottom pulley. The new one for me is the great idea of removing the valve covers and spraying WD-40 (etc). on the valve train and it makes perfect sense.
Looking ahead to the future, I read somewhere that the '55 Packards used a Positive Ground electrical system. Is That correct? I don't want to screw up the electricals over something so basic.
Everyone, please keep the advice rolling in as I can definitely use it.
Also, I be sure and take lots of pictures!
Thanks to all who've helped so far,

Jim L. in OR