Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

Just picked up a clipper from Dave Moe. It needs extensive rework on the floors from trunk to front floor including around the gas pedal.Anyone have any suggestions where to get replacement sheet metal? Mike And yes I'll add to the registry!

"yes I'll add to the registry!"

Mike,
for including your "new" '53 Clipper Sportster in the Packard Owner's Registry.

If your going for a black exterior. How about the 1952 ebony gold paint. It was supposedly a paint option but it seems very few were actually painted. It is in the 1952 spec book. Good luck with your rebuild!

Other than finding a donor car with better metal that has been wrecked or already been parted, I think your only option for any new metal is Classic to Current.c2cfabrication.com They may not have everything you need though. If the model is one not that common or popular you may have to buy a panel that looks close and then customize farther.

As others will attest, for the most part C2C's panels are not direct weld in replacement pieces but are starting points for the shape needed in a location and will need tweaking.

Ebay had floor panels from time to time-may be from C2C. There have been several posts regarding this subject as HH56 states they require some modification

The panels work, but they are "generally" the right shape and pattern. But not perfect drop in replacements. The panels are not stamped like Packard did them. So for example, the transition between the floor pan and the kick panel is a sharp bend done on a brake, as opposed to at radiuses bend as done on the original Packard stamping.

So be prepared for some hammering, shaping, trimming, and copious cursing. or at least that was my experience with the front floor panels on my '54 which is probably the same panels as your '53.

A pneumatic body hammer for shaping the sides and front really helps. See my project blog to see what I had to do to get them to fit.

If you have any rust in the trans tunnel, be prepared to buy extra 18ga steel to make you own patch panels.

But all said and done, they do give you the quickest path to a floor replacement besides cutting up a donor car.