Packard Forum Index » Project Blogs

I will attempt to occasionally post the various goings on with this car here in this thread. I must confess that I am a terrible picture taker and rarely stop to take any because my hands are greasy and I am to busy doing the work. With that said, I will give it a try.

The car is a 1940 Super 8 160 model 1803 convertible sedan found right here on Packard-Info. The car is a remarkable survivor. My goal at this point is to put into sound reliable mechanical shape and preserve as many original features as possible. It is a rare treat to find an original example of such a unique classic car.

Pictured is the car here in Phoenix after a morning of scrubbing and cleaning. Looking good so far!

Attach file:

---

  (26.25 KB)

First order of business: Fix the rear license plate bracket.

If the car is to be driven in the near future it will need a license plate attached. The bracket had fatigued and broken at some point. Luckily, the tab was still attached to the trunk handle assembly and the mast was safely stowed away in the trunk. Since my heli-arc is stored away at the moment, a trip to my buddy John's place and metal was mended.

Just a quick cleanup of the offending area and some careful fitment firmly clamped to a heat sink. Turned out good as new! Nothing like instant gratification.

Attach file:

---

  (22.52 KB)


  (24.25 KB)


  (21.06 KB)


  (22.80 KB)

Quote:Jim,

The '40 does look good after it's morning makeover. As for pictures and to mangle a line from Shakespeare, methinks you doth protest too much, they are good. And speaking of which, what is the roadster in the background of the bracket being welded? A 26/27 T?

Good eye, Mal. Indeed that is John's 26 T roadster.

Hi 39super8

Good Heavens!!! What a gorgeous Packard!!!

Congratulations for getting such a fine car and keeping it as original as possible. I, for one, am green with envy!

Steve

Steve, thanks for your kind words. We are really excited about the car. I hope with some time and TLC it will be an enjoyable dependable car.

Jim

Good buy! I was trying to figure out how I could have bought it, too. Love it!

Thanks very much West. I think following the thread about your 180 was an inspiration to move on this car. I wonder if you could do me a favor and share some images of the air cleaner and support bracket your car is equipped with. My car is missing the proper air cleaner and I noted your car has the style oil bath air cleaner I wish to use.


Not much movement on the car as of late, time always seems to be in short supply. Did an oil change and have been running up to temperature in an attempt to free a lone inoperable hydraulic lifter. Added a bit of ATF and some Seafoam snake oil to work on the lifter issue. Hasn't done much for the lifter, but has done miracles to reduce tail pipe smoke and draft tube blow by to nearly negligible levels. A very delightful outcome as I was fully prepared to freshen up the engine. After reading JD's lifter post and Dave's (clipper47) mention of his cleaned lifter collapsing and then pumping back up and working ever since inspires me to give it a few hundred miles of driving before taking further action.

Other than that, Debbie gave the interior an initial leather rejuvenator treatment. To my surprise it did much to soften and clean much of the leather. I think a few more applications could potentially make the interior very presentable. It is fascinating to see 70 year old interior work still looking fairly good.

Congratulations on a wonderful find. I would suggest that your efforts to free up the lifter have also freed up some stuck piston rings, which are now sealing again. Without meaning to offend anyone, I must say that I am a firm believer that an original "good driver" survivor is more desirable than a restored car. It enables people to observe the patina of graceful ageing in the car as well as the owner. Unfortunately, when the ageing is not graceful, cars as well as people require restoring. Best regards Peter Toet.

Jim
There were two different air cleaners available. The heavy duty oil bath, and the non-oil bath. I'll get some photos of the brackets off of mine later today. If yours looks like this, it is correct.

Attach file:

---

  (46.98 KB)