The H-Series twelve in the 1936-'48 Lincoln-Zephyr, Custom and Continental were a badly underdeveloped powerplant barely up to the job. As cited, very poor crankcase ventilation in addition to cooling problems caused by the exhaust runners through the water jackets between the cylinders resulted in hot spots on cylinder walls and excessive heat transferred into the cooling system. The fans was mounted on the front of the crankshaft where it was ineffective in the upper areas of the radiator. The cooling issues were the motivation for E.T. Gregorie to mock-up a low shrouded grille opening for cooling testing. The favorable results lead to 1938 Lincoln-Zephyr low, horizontal grille configuration.

The other major factor that lead to engine problems was the ways in which they were driven. It was a essentially a short-stroke configuration in the long-stroke era coupled with being upper medium-priced and luxury cars. How were those folks who bought such cars used to driving? By using the massive torque at low rpms the straight eight developed to drive the cars almost as if they had an automatic transmission. Many weren't adroit at clutch/gear shifting coordination, which long stroke/high torque engines would tolerate when lugged.

The H-Series twelve had to be kept rev'd up to develop much of any torque which folks in that price segment weren't used to practicing. When they drove as they had after trading a Packard/Buick/Chrysler in for a Lincoln-Zephyr, it wasn't long before the functional issues developed.

Edsel Ford was Lincoln's President but Old Henry held the purse-strings when it came to major expenditures. Edsel had to fight to get any investment in the Lincoln Division. Once the engine proved to be problematic, no real efforts were mounted to correct those issues. Edsel had to make do with what he had. His development of the Zephyr and Continental saved the Lincoln brand from demise, even if it was with very compromised products.

Thanks for reading my latest diatribe.
Steve

A '39 120 convertible coupe, sidemounts, ready to enjoy, not inexpensive:
https://racine.craigslist.org/cto/d/la ... ckard-120/7378335374.html

A '53 Clipper Deluxe touring sedan, also very nice, ready to enjoy:
https://eauclaire.craigslist.org/cto/d ... er-deluxe/7377580575.html

Here is the AACA Forum posting of the '53 Clipper Deluxe with photos:
https://forums.aaca.org/topic/368133-f ... =comments#comment-2268298

Steve

A '48 Super Eight, 33K miles noted, driver condition:
https://topeka.craigslist.org/cto/d/to ... 8-packard/7372165035.html

A '55 Clipper sedan, fine condition throughout, ready to enjoy, not inexpensive:
https://tampa.craigslist.org/pnl/cto/d ... ipper-4dr/7369518497.html

A '57 Clipper town sedan, power steering, brakes and windows, solid project start, pricey:
https://kansascity.craigslist.org/cto/ ... d-clipper/7372873567.html

An extremely rough '57 Clipper parts car:
https://eastnc.craigslist.org/cto/d/gr ... n-clipper/7361879320.html

Steve

Not only is the 'Dietrich' custom body tag in the wrong location but running a couple screws through the cloisonne is really a class act.

That body is a mass of telltales, the wide B-pillar is another: not a feature of the Murray convertible sedan body, its too narrow to have been from a phaeton.

I hope this examination keeps a potential buyer making a terribly costly mistake.

Steve

Hi

Thanks Mal for the museum photos which show the details very well.

Thanks Tim for the specifics and corrections on the period photos plus nuances of Packard model practices.

Kevin: "...they may have borrowed some parts from a factory 833." Kevin, You said the secret woid! With credit to Groucho Marx.

Although the body parts they used were from Dietrich-designed models, the combination here was not from the Dietrich, Inc custom body operation. That rear body section was typical of the Dietrich-designed, Murray-built production series as seen on the '31 833.

Point of this exercise is the auction company list "Coachwork by Dietrich" which it isn't. They would explain that as it was represented as such to them, they simply relay the information. Not outright fraud but a simple 'mistake'.

As we all know, the auction results from the sale of a genuine Dietrich and an 'invention' from period parts is significant. Although our examination here may not prevent the buyer from serious getting burned, if he frequents this site, he has a chance to learn the details.

Steve

Interest group of Packards, though as usual, do your homework before bidding.

For example:
https://worldwideauctioneers.com/listi ... custom-convertible-sedan/

"Offered here is an attractive example of Dietrich’s design work in the form of a 1931 Packard 845 Individual Custom Seven-Passenger Convertible."..."Coachwork by Dietrich"

Before accepting the auction company description, compare the this example with factory portraits of the '31 845 Individual Custom Convertible Sedan by Dietrich and the '31 833 convertible sedan styled by Dietrich but built by Murray.

I'll be interested to read your conclusions.

Steve

Attach file:

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  '31 Packard 845 Dietrich conv sedan - factory photo a.jpg (204.58 KB)


  '31 Packard 845 Dietrich conv sedan - factory photo.jpg (246.80 KB)


  '31 Packard 845 conv sedan in the style of Dietrich.jpg (360.66 KB)


  '31 Packard 833 conv sedan -factory photo.jpg (185.71 KB)

Hi

The manual shift with even the 288 would make this a better performer than the leisurely pace with Ultramatic. One of our region long-time Packard drivers swears by the 288 and stick since it is a shorter stroke engine, it takes higher revs in stride. Admitted one of his first Packards was a 200 with 288 out of which he 'beat the snot' and it took it.

Adding an overdrive would also make this drive even nicer. No relay is visible on the firewall, but anyone interested in bidding should question the seller if the car is overdrive equipped.

Good luck, hope it sells to a new appreciative owner, one who signs on here.

Steve

A '39 120 Business Coupe, ivory, lovely restoration, ready to enjoy, not inexpensive:
https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/ml ... 9-packard/7369357434.html

A '52 250 Mayfair, ivory & black throughout, restored except 700r4 transmission, also not inexpensive:
https://boise.craigslist.org/cto/d/lak ... r-hardtop/7358202141.html

A '55 Patrician, solid metallic gray, blue interior, also wonderful condition, ready to enjoy:
https://southcoast.craigslist.org/cto/ ... patrician/7370963205.html

This Patrician on the AACA Forum, with photo:
https://forums.aaca.org/topic/367432-f ... =comments#comment-2261443

A '40 coupe for parts, no photos:
https://roanoke.craigslist.org/cto/d/r ... coupe-for/7364942758.html

Steve

Added 8-28-2021
A '53 Clipper Deluxe, some A/C parts, rough parts car:
https://roswell.craigslist.org/cto/d/w ... 3-clipper/7371496175.html

The rough '56 Patrician listed above as 15 cars from the last:
https://albany.craigslist.org/cto/d/we ... patrician/7371931844.html

A '53 Clipper Deluxe Club Sedan, scant information pricey:
https://watertown.craigslist.org/cto/d ... d-clipper/7363831850.html

A '24 Single Six sedan, ready to enjoy:
https://akroncanton.craigslist.org/cto ... 4-packard/7364110786.html

And on the AACA Forum with photos:
https://akroncanton.craigslist.org/cto ... 4-packard/7364110786.html

A '37 120C Touring sedan, also ready to enjoy, not cheap:
https://newyork.craigslist.org/lgi/cto ... kard-120c/7359832298.html

And on the AACA Forum with photos:
https://forums.aaca.org/topic/366839-f ... =comments#comment-2255498

Steve

A '53 Cavalier, seller notes 42K miles, originally light blue by the door jams, decent driver but pricey:
https://iowacity.craigslist.org/cto/d/ ... patrician/7362828207.html

A '47 Clipper Deluxe club sedan, somewhat modified probably reversible, no price:
https://kansascity.craigslist.org/cto/ ... per-coupe/7362749740.html

Steve