Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

An old good friend was staying at the Excalibur Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas for the SEMA show. We arranged to meet and have drinks and dinner. I had to drive my 1955 Patrician over from Pahrump to Las Vegas because he didn't have a car. All went as planned. Then...

Near the end of the evening my friend says, "Show me your Packard." So we walk out to the open parking lot where I had parked Pat safely between two vehicles. While I show him Pat, a security guard on a bicycle comes by. He says something into his shoulder radio and rides off. Then a more senior security guard drives up in his security SUV and shines his head lights on my Pat with my friend and I standing by since I'm showing my friend my Pat. I'm thinking that the security guard might bust us for breaking into a collector car, as it is Las Vegas, after all, and there lots of cool cars around being that it is SEMA week. The guard gets out of his vehicle and I say, "Would you like to see my Packard?" He says, "That's what we've been waiting for!"

So, while I'm showing my Pat to the two security guards, the Chief of Security walks up. It turns out that it was he who was waiting for the owner of this Packard (me) to turn up. He used to own a 1955 Clipper and was telling his guards about the T-L and so on. We spent at least 45 minutes around my Pat talking about this and that regarding V-8 Packards and Torsion-Level, etc.

Eventually, all the guards and the Chief had to go back to their posts. My friend had a good indoctrination as to why I collect Packards. A great time was had by all.

I've had lots of fun encounters as I'm sure many Packard owners have had, but this was one of the best and one of the least expected.

Craig

Hey Craig, Craig here!

I have had similar experiences involving my '55 Clipper and the law. A cop pulled up behind me in a parking lot, got out of his patrol car, and approached me before I could get out. I knew I hadn't done anything wrong, but ... He smiled and said, "Great car! Are those the original colors?" Then I went through the motions of showing him the whole car, right down to the part of sitting on the rear bumper to make the self-leveling demonstration. He was genuinely impressed.

More recently, I was parked in Old Town Alexandria, VA. Tourists strolling by snapped photos of the Bumblebee with their cell phones; but what really cracked me up was when this lady traffic officer checking for parking violations paused, took out her phone, and took a few photos too!

Almost everyone loves these old cars.

Once I took a 55 Constellation through the NJ state inspection station. The usually bland attendants got very enthusiastic about the car. But what really knocked me out was that the old guy on duty knew about the dash switch for the suspension which needed to be turned off prior to jacking the car up. Then they all gathered around to watch the load leveler work after putting the car back on the ground. They loved that car.

And all of you fellows did the exact right thing. You politely explained the car and its attributes.
I have heard folks at car cruises get nasty or stand-offish
when questioned about their car. I am always happy to extol the virtues of my Packard ACOlds and I have been known to stay later than planned just to answer questions.

Randy, you are right on the money.

Part of the joy of owning an antique car is sharing it with "civilians." The whole point of owning these cars, in my opinion, is to enjoy them and the attributes and quirks and to preserve them for future generations. I think that when anyone asks an owner a question about your car, you should be happy to answer.