Thanks for the input. I agree that we do have a number of differences between South Africa and the USA when it comes to car-speak. We call a hood a bonnet and a trunk a boot! Coupe is any car with two doors. But I think you are correct that my car is a two door Club Sedan. I would really like to get the fender skirts for it and a friend of mine who is restoring a sedan might like to put them on as well.

The photo was reversed/mirrored - RHD has the same pedal configuration as LHD with the right foot accelerator pedal. The photo is of a LHD car.

Hi Guscha, did Dave give any more input on this topic perhaps of the stamped cowl number on the '28?

Cheers,
Emil.

Hi everybody, I'm busy restoring a 1947 Clipper Eight Deluxe Coupe in South Africa and wish to find out more about the rear wheel covers. Somebody was advertising some reproductions on EBay some time ago, but I cannot seem to find the adds now.

Does anybody know where I can obtain some original or reproduction ones?

Are they the same for the Coupe and the Sedan?

Appreciate your input!

Thanks and regards,
Emil.

Quote:

Perhaps Sandy can also comment on this. When we spoke he indicated that the '28 443 should have the embossed number on the cowl. I know my '29 626 cowl does have a number for sure.

So perhaps the cowl on this car is original then? We'll have to dig a little deeper it seems.

Hello Sandy and everyone else, the VIN number can be confirmed as 228455R on the plate. There is no <******> stamp number on the cowl, since that is also not Packard. I can try and check if the brass body number plaque still remains - as per Sandy's description of where to find it.

I will most likely go and take another look at this car.

One of the most notable anomalies on this car is that the rear doors aren't "suicide" - they open the same way as the front doors, which is incorrect for the 443 Phaeton.

Question: Can one buy the correct reproduction cast brass windshield and convertible top and supports/mechanism for this car from the USA?

I believe the bodywork can be changed to look just like the real 443 Phaeton and that the parts mentioned above here would greatly improve the look of this car if they can be obtained.

If anyone is interested I have uploaded the Hi-Res photos that I took of this car on DivShare:http://www.divshare.com/gallery/889217-afd

You will probably be able to see the anomalies better on these photos.

One can actually play a game of "spot the anomaly" and try to see how many can be uncovered on this "coachbuilt" Packard.

I just want to point out that by "part of the car" I mean something decent such as the whole engine and gearbox, or the running chassis or something. Not a gearknob or door handle or something small.

I am not suggesting that this car should be chopped for parts. It is actually a very nice car and I think it can be restored as a 443 Touring or Phaeton if you have the right guy and enough money.

The body work has been very well done and it looked original to me at first glance, but now I know it isn't.

I have a '29 626 rumble seat coupe (basket case) and some of these parts will work nicely on that car, which coincidentally suffered a similar fate with everything behind the doors not being original Packard.

I came across this car about 10-15 years ago but it wasn't for sale at the time. It is now on the market and I considered buying it.

However, I've been advised that the body from the cowl backwards is 1980's South African homemade. On closer inspection I also started noticing the differences.

I must admit that it is still a nice car and that probably 99% of the world's poulation would never know that the bodywork is not original.

Please have a look at thi pics that I attached. The scan of the advert shows the side-view. Back door isn't suicide and has the curve of the mudguard, which it shouldn't have, etc.

Note that this car is RHD! If you are still interested in learning more about this car please let me know. If you want to buy it or parts thereof I can probably put you in touch with the owner.

It should still be a runner, although I haven't seen it go yet.

I'll be interested in the discussion that will hopefully follow.

Attach file:

---

Size: 0.00 KB; Hits: 44

  (193.60 KB)

Thanks guys for the input on my thread. I guess I won't be bidding on it then, although it seems it is difficult to distinguish between the hood ornaments of 1947 and 1948. To me the one in the picture taken in Warren OH looks the same as the one in the eBay auction.

I will also put my cars in the owner's registry as soon as I get around to it - got to check the VIN numbers, etc.

I have '47 Deluxe Clipper Club Sedan
'41 120 Touring Sedan
'37 115c Touring Sedan
'37 120 Touring Sedan (parts car)
'29 626 Coupe (basket case)

Cheers,
Emil.