Packard Forum Index » Project Blogs

I purchased my Clipper in 1995. Drove it for a couple of years until I spun a bearing in the engine and then parked it for a dozen plus years while I enjoyed my other cars. I retired a couple of years ago and decided it was time to get it back on the road. I've done quite a bit if work the last two years and thought the group might enjoy my progress. Wat is not the only one who enjoys the first series of Clippers. I'll update my posts every few days to get up to date. First picture is when the car was on the road.

Attach file:

---

  IMG_0001.jpg (259.45 KB)

I can trace the history back to the late eighties. It was at that time the car switched hands at Hershey. It came from NJ and sold to a gentleman from Virginia. It had been lightly restored but not well as I would find out. I'm the third owner since that gentleman from VA.

I decide there were 5 items that I wanted to farm out because of lack of expertise and/or correct equipment to do the job. They were chrome, engine, body/paint, interior and woodgraining. I wanted to contact my shops of choice because like a lot of us they are getting older and most have a fairly long backlog. I started by pulling everything forward of the cowl, pulled the engine and transmission and brought it to Ross Miller. He confirmed that I had spun a bearing and also damaged two rods. He did a complete rebuild including the vibration damper. Also went through the starter, generator, carburetor and installed a new clutch ... Ross also test ran it when he was done. I restored the horns, installed new wiring and a nos relay ( always like to use nos when I can ). The car never had an oil filter so I did install one. One of the previous owners removed the fuel pump and just used an inline electrical one. I also put a mechanical pump back on and plumbed it in. While Ross was working on the engine the engine splash pans, stabilizer bar, radiator surround and struts were sandblasted and powdered coated. Radiator boiled out and painted too. Engine now sits under cover waiting to be reinstalled.

Attach file:

---

  20221123_082848.jpg (320.19 KB)

Another view

Attach file:

---

  20221123_082826.jpg (261.08 KB)

Last view

Attach file:

---

  20221123_082644.jpg (273.19 KB)

Very nice looking motor!

Ross always does a great job

Fred the Cat says that she thinks that First Generation Clippers (and Seconds, too) are damned fine looking automobiles.


First would be pre-war and second would be right after the war in feline generational counting.


And I owe you a PM, too.

I agree with Fred who has very good taste in anything Packard. They are very nice looking cars and the first generation's styling was really advanced for the time, especially as Packard continued to make the older style cars at the same time. Side by side, the Clipper looked downright futuristic!

I've never have known Fred to be wrong. Unfortunately not a lot of 1941 Clippers seem to have survived. I would think it has lot to do with the fact that new cars were not available again until after the war and they were used heavily until then. Then again after 4+ years of no new cars who would want a 5 year old car when new ones were available. Probably a lot got scrapped.