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

Hi,

Just wanted to stop by since I just got my Packard. It's a 1928 526 Runabout. Got it from the third owner who had it since 1965.

Runs great, but had a slight problem with the float in the carb. Soldered it to get it running until the one I just ordered comes in. Love that ear of cars and I'm also getting a 30 Hudson from the same owner in the next month or so.

While this is my 4th classic, it's my first from that era. Can't wait to get it running again so I can drive it more.

Other cars are a 63 Lincoln Continental, 79 FIAT Spider and the wife's pink 57 Tbird.

Hopefully won't have any major problems, but if I do, I'm guessing that if this is like the Lincoln forum, there's a ton of knowledge here, especially since I'm a mechanical moron!

Thanks!

Stu

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G'day and congratulations Stu,
Lovely looking Packard you have there, also to PackardInfo. I invite you to include your '28 526 Runabout in the Packard Owner's Registry here on PackardInfo.

Welcome! If you own a 124, you can't possibly be a mechanical moron. Those little guys need daily care and feeding to keep on the road (although I've been lucky with mine).

Welcome Stu! Glad to have you aboard and please comply with Ozstatman's request to put your Packard in the owner's registry. You are correct about this forum having a lot of knowledgeable and friendly members. We're happy to add you to the group.

Stu -- Jaunty looking car. Packard used the 526 chassis as
test bed for at least one works speed car. The late Bev Ferreira, longtime Bay Area owner of Packards ('37 Twelve victoria, '41 160 sedan), and other collector cars, owned
your model albeit with the trunk elongated as it was used originally for bootlegging. Otherwise, the car looked stock as yours, all the better not to attract attention from the authorities.

Your '30 Hudson's a quality car, too. They had high nickel content blocks, like Reo Royale, and were also popular with those running hooch and those pursuing them.

ScottG's right. You're no mechanical moron if you keep a '79 Fiat Spyder alive. They're slick little cars, but adjusting their valves, as with XK Jaguar engines; that time-consuming, maddening exercise of selecting the right shims makes you wish such cars had adopted the small thumbwheel on Hispano-Suiza H6 and J12 engines; each audible click indicated a thousandth of an inch.

Nifty Packard, and nice to see one "in the white," a real
summer car.

Thanks for the welcome, guys! I really am a mechanical moron. I just have a great mechanic; he's my age (50) and grew up fixing these cars (well, some of them) at his dad's Esso Gas station.

Packard is running great. Put in the new float and off she went. Very different to drive with the 3 speed; need to double clutch to shift. Was truly amazed and surprised that it has cruise control!!

Been practicing since Wednesday and tonight am taking her to a cruse about 20 miles away. Sunday will be a show about 35 miles away, and the same next weekend. Will be away for 2 weeks and after I get back, rotator cuff surgery so no driving anything for the next 4 to 6 weeks.

Will register the car today, and will stop in periodically to look for answers. Sounds just like the LincolnForum.net website; lots of good information.

Have a good weekend!

Stu

Quote:Stu,

Just like their old cars, owners too need periodic maintenance and repairs, all the best with the surgery.
And for including your '28 Six Runabout in the Packard Owner's Registry.

Took the car out today and had no problems. Car runs great, especially with the cruise! Spend most of the day letting parents take pictures of their kids in the rumble seat. After the show, there was a parade through the town (Sea Isle City, NJ). Was a bit concerned about overheating, but used the cruise switch to keep the idle up and used the clutch to move forward and slow down. No problems at all.

Finally figured that you don't downshift after slowing down. Just kept it in third and slowly moved forward after slowing down. Still having intermittent problems with grinding, even though I've been double clutching. I guess practice makes perfect.

Any early era owners in the south Jersey area? Would love to get together to get input on the car.