I am sure that is our own straighteights&aces project blog custom 300 which is a sweet ride. I love the grill/front end, I am thinking I want to fill the holes on my front fenders and loose the wrap around 53 grill pieces. Of all the custom fiftes grill treatments I have seen I think the model 200 and 300 are the best stock. Packards have the best front end treatments. I am struggling with my rear end treatment particularly the tailights. I thought about 10 inch flush teardrops from Hagenauto.com but they are expensive . I bought 7.5 in cats eye led taillights from southernrods but returned them because they were too small - out of proportioned. Now i thinking 38-39 large Zepher LEDs which happened to be on the jade two tone painted by Winfield on the cover of Rods and Customs this month. I like the early fiftes Belair tailights perhaps frenched. It must look right, the simplist improvement to the cars lines was to remove the chrome rear quarter fins. The car has nice smooth lines unclutered by excess trim, I want the side spear trim on the doors- front fenders. Oh I I must have the hood ornament - perhaps flying Goddess . What did the deluxe clipper 53 have?

Yes the original pictures were as purchased and the chop that was started was by an amatuer. The rear window and quarters were all jacked up, which is why being honest with myself I took it to a pro to get right.

Hopefully these pictures post the satisfaction of all.
This is the car as of last month, major changes, major bodywork. I am pleased with the corrected roofline and the large more proportioned rear quarter windows. I actually want a comfortable back seat with relistic head room. Well let me know what you think. Thanks J.B

Attach file:

---

  (83.14 KB)


  (99.42 KB)


  (99.45 KB)


  (89.58 KB)


  (89.35 KB)

I appreciate the help guys, I have been busy and stealing minutes here and there to get this blog going. I have gotten spoiled by my iPhone but find it's limitations. For example I cannot browse for pictures - even those on my phone from the posting page. So I have to use the PC which shows all options anyway thanks.
Back to the car - as you see it is the way I bought it. Complete drivetrain though. Since I have rebuilt the carb and tuned the ignition with existing parts to run I have begun rebuilding the cooling system and the fuel system. Once I get her back from the shop I will continue thru the car one system at a time making improvements along the way such as the 12 v system with electronic ignition, improved cooling system with new four row core rad, overflow tank and fan shroud which the car did not have. The questionable trans cooler will be deleted in it's place will be a dedicated trans cooler in front of the radiator at least until a standard trans is sourced as I am no fan of slush boxes. I am wanting an adapter for a late model world class T-5. I have found a detailed build that used the Ultramatic bell housing with a 3/4 inch adapter for shaft length correction . I will dig deeper when I get there. I have driven older cars and really want a well sorted driver with upgrades.
My first experience with a Packard was as a teenager. I will be 40 this August but still had the experience of working at a full service gas station in high school. As a matter of fact my best freind and boss let me drive his 57 Belair post as long as I stayed on school. Back to the Packard my bosses older brother had one in storage and one sunny day We went to pull it 45 miles down the highway. Well I was to sit and steer it It was a black 39 business coupe with a tan/cream interior. Besides being threatened not to damage it I knew it was special. It rode turned everything smooth and stately. I recall the speedometer requestering and how precise it seemed to be. I was impressed with that car and he still has it fully restored in storage which I think is a shame.

I am trying to post two pics here which show the hacking that had been started on the top. Now if I had found the car would I have chopped it??? I can not say that I would have yet the improved profile and fastback like design. Better lines if you will. Think custom coach builders back in the day. We will just have to see how she turns out. Notice the short quarter window, that has been changed/improved for better proportions.

Attach file:

---

  (75.23 KB)

Oh yeah she is rough, but from the first time I laid eyes on her I could see the potential. The beautiful dream I call it.

Attach file:

---

  (137.47 KB)


  (74.08 KB)

Finally I am going to try and post some as purchased pictures. She was/is in rough shape.

Attach file:

---

  (71.45 KB)

Nice car, I just started a project blog on a 53 Clipper that I picked up in Oct 2009. It started life as two door post and the previous owner (blooddsweat&steal) had been comunicating with Old Gold on the HAMB. So the chop top was begun by previous owner and mine has been in the shop since Nov 2009. Does Old Gold obviously have a body shop and does he have a 51-54 Chopped Packard? I have seen a black primored one one the HAMB. The black seems to be lower in chop and ride height. What back window did u use? Is the car stock? Tranny drums rearaxle?

Thank you for the welcome and the info. I will get some photos up as she has been in real craftsman body shop (ex. English Wheel) since late Nov 2009. Lots of metal replacment due to rust so plenty of before and during pics but unable to upload from this iPhone

Wow where to begin Oct 2009 My family and I picked up our project after almost walking away after driving 2 hrs to see it. It has been said that brave or dumb man would modify a Packard. The top had already been chopped and the car had major rust. I must say from an early age the custom cars say chopped 48-51 Mercs have attracted me. Most of the car had been disassembled. The first step was did the motor started which I did after taking all precautions including soaking, inspecting, flushing and setting up an aux fuel tank and electric fuel pump and rebuilding the carb. After some trial and error I had her purring with wires and hoses everywhere. The rad was pulled for rebuild and the thermastate housing was mia so I pulled the cooling plugs and ran the hose in the head. I need to purchase a therm housing with therm and retaining clip, I think Kanter quoted me around $135.00 . Is this my best option? I have appreciated Ken's & Kev's blogs for covering much of what I am doing. I am planning to convert to 12v with petronix ignition and the self regulated 10SI Delco self regulated one wire alternator. Ultimately I will swap the rear axle for a. Ford 9 & 3/4 disc brake 3.73 ratio and perhaps a standard tranny depending on the Ultramatic run out. I thus far have not found a reasonably priced if any disc brake front conversion. Let me say I love the purist Packards as Art in motion and wish not to offend anyone with my project. I really want to restomod her into a safe dependable luxury tourer. I am making design changes like the top and trim. I want the front side spears but will not reinstall the rear fender fin trim. I prefer the 51 52 front treatment without the grill trim mounted on the fenders. I invision a tastful two tone with a black and tan or copper. Elegant not boyracer flames if you will. Well that's a start so please let me know if I am not welcome here and thanks for the history and wealth of info you represent.