Packard Forum Index » Pre-War (1899-1942)

I'm looking three Ninth and Tenth series Packards with an intent to purchase. One is a 902 coupe roadster; another is a 902 Phaeton and the third is a 1001 coupe roadster. All three have dual side-mounts, but none of them have the metal tire covers. But I see other examples of these models that do have the metal tire covers, including some pictured in the Beverly Rae Kimes book. One picture of a 1001 Sedan taken on the day of delivery also shows a copy of the dealer invoice which indicates that the car had Deluxe Equipment (side-mounts?). The picture clearly shows that the car has the metal covers on the spare tires. Question: Were the metal covers standard equipment that is missing on the three cars I am looking at or were they an option? Just trying to determine if something is missing that should be there.

Firstly, the sidemounts themselves were extra-cost optional equipment, the standard equipment being a rear-mounted spare. Then, looking at the 1934 Accessory Catalog, the metal spare tire covers were an additional extra-cost item and I would expect that the same situation prevailed for 1932 and 1933, though I haven't looked at the accessory catalogs for those years. Not a fully definitive answer to your question but I hope this helps.

Attaching page 7 of the 11th Series Accessory Catalog.

Attach file:

---

  34 acc pg 7.jpg (261.31 KB)

Thanks for this information. I always thought that the covers were standardly included on all side-mount equipped cars. They are rather difficult to put on and take off, so I assumed that later owners of these cars would frequently just toss them. Also, during WWII, I heard that if you had a side-mounted car, you were forced to turn in one of your spares as a contribution to the war effort due to the critical rubber shortage. So, one would assume that the cover would often be tossed out too.

It appears that the accessory catalog you attached is for the Tenth series, judging from the shape of the front fenders, but I think it is probably safe to assume that the metal covers were considered extra cost accessories for other series cars as well.

I assure you that the image I posted is from the 1934 11th Series Accessory Catalog. Use of illustrations from prior series cars was not at all uncommon. Enclosing the price listing from the same catalog, again indicating the metal covers were accessories.

My car apparently did not sacrifice one of its two spare tires, covers and wheels to the WW II effort and I suspect the reason is that the registration was suspended during the war years, from what the original owner told me, the chauffeur enlisted and she did not drive.

Attach file:

---

  34 acc pg 2.jpg (208.79 KB)

Thanks for the clarification. The 1001 I'm looking at does not have the metal covers but I really like the look of them. Definitely makes the car look sportier and more streamlined. Unfortunately, it will probably cost more than $18 to add them, if I could even find a set at all.

Interesting story about your car being put in storage for the duration of the war after the chauffeur enlisted. This probably saved it. Far too many big classics were scrapped during the war. With gas rationing, owning one was a liability and the classic car movement hadn't really started yet. Sad to think of what was lost.

Subtle difference between 1933 and 1934 metal sidemount covers, location of the trim ring on the side cover. Finding either will be challenging.

Try Northfield Forming for sidecover stainless steel trim.
Phone 330 854-6003 Canal Fulton, Ohio. I purchased the sidemount cover stainless steel trim for my 1936 Packard 1402 Standard 8 Limo from them. They make the trim.