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Friday 20th December 2012

This mornings pitstop at the workshop found Wade under Fleurette adjusting the front brakes. The relined shoes had arrived at Brookers Brakes yesterday morning so Wade was able to re-fit them to Fleurette. Had also driven it home last night to bed them in. But, coming in this morning, the pedal travel for engagement had lengthened considerably hence the adjustment required. Once adjusted Wade took Fleurette for a test run while I rode shotgun. Just missed Noel and Tony's arrival at the workshop as we disappeared into the distance as they swung into the driveway. On return Wade explained all that had happened and that Fleurette was now ready to return home. But before doing so there was a measuring event. Noel is concerned about his hubcaps. He lost one on the Bathurst run last month and fortunately it was retrieved by Peter Packard for him. He's had this problem for some time and it looks like the remedy of double sided tape between the cap and the wheel isn't entirely successful. Noel has a number of replacement clips but needed to determine their application. The measuring was of the clips on the '41 160 chassis, 34mm, and Fleurette, 44mm. I think the replacements are of the 34mm type.

Also had a call from Michael last night and his '54 Convertible's front suspension is now all systems go. Wade suggested because the rod end in question was of the ball and socket type to try cleaning it up and retightening it. Michael did and that eliminated the slop previously evident. Then off to Hunters suspension where work on the previously aborted front end alignment was completed. And yesterday Harvey had dropped in a left front suspension package from a '37 Super 8.

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I don't know what type hubcap Noel has and it's later bulletins (SC 22 #2 and the one referenced at the end of that) but perhaps this deformed clip issue could also pertain to Noel's car. Also could the one about different shells where they look identical but are not the same depth apply to prewar cars?

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Howard. I alerted Noel to your post and he responded "...Thanks for that. Could be just what I need! I'll forward the info to Tony..."

Monday 24th December 2012

Another pitstop at the workshop, and with apologies to Clement Clarke Moore, I submit the following:

Twas the day before Christmas, and at the workshop
Misty was there as always, alert for a chop.
Wade of course, John, Rick and Graham too,
Soon it would be time for some cheer beer.

The Packards were nestled, all snug in their places,
With visions of Cormorants and hexagons taking our fancies.
Discussed with Wade the suspension on the bench and apart
But it won't fit, being from a '38 LWB Super Eight!

The kingpin's too big, it's over an inch!
Because the LWB has to carry greater weight.
So to Harvey the suspension will return,
After Wade has put it together again.

Big Red still needs to be fixed,
Once things settle down and are more relaxed.
That will be when Christmas is over and all is quiet,
After all, tonight is the night!

When out in the carpark there arose such a clatter,
I sprang up to see what was the matter.
Away to the roller door I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

There was a tilt tray tow truck ready to load,
A neglected Packard going to a new abode.
Antoine's '33 Super Eight Sedan,
Off to Mt Druitt for its body restoration.

Then Mal sprang to his sleigh car, and gave a whistle,
And drove away like the down of a thistle.
But exclaimed, 'ere driving out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

PS - Click on the Non Sequitur cartoon for a bigger image.

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Received a communique from Noel today which said in part "...found the missing parts...". That cryptic reference followed my post on 12th December where I said "...Wade took a call from Noel while I was there and another part off his '41 can't be found, the grill surround! A little big to be easily mislaid, maybe there's a Packard black hole all these parts are disappearing into?..." Boy, do I have egg on my face! I would have sworn, on a stack of Kimes books mind you, that '41's have a grill surround, and I'm a man who own's one.

Noel also advised "... saw Tony and showed him Howard's input on the clips. Reply: "That's what I told you last Friday"!!...He will fix it in the new year after returning from Mudgee..."

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Sunday 30th December 2012

Mal's Driveway, again.

Removed the inner door panel today in readiness for Col to start on the Coupe early next month. Took out the five screws holding the window garnish mold in place, the two screws holding the armrest to the door panel, the window winding and door handles, then prised the panel out. Replaced the winding winding and door handles, temporarily securing them in place. Of course found another item that needs to be addressed. The channel that holds the window glass is badly rusted so will need replacing. But that will be another project. For this one, still need to slacken off the left front mudguard(fender) that will be done down at the workshop mid week.

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Wednesday 2nd January 2013

A Happy Packard New Year to all!

Took the Coupe down to the workshop and, while Wade was fiddling around with Big Red, and after pulling the left front wheel off loosened off the bolts holding the left front mudguard(fender) to the body and the bonnet(hood) side panel. Once all the bolts were loose then removed the fender welting in preparation for the Coupes facelift in the coming weeks.

Also had IanH drop in to look over the various Packards in attendance to help in the restoration of his '36 120B Club Sedan, believes it is probably the only RHD '36 120B Club Sedan in the country. I think it may be the only one in the world! Bought the car 39 years ago and restoring it now. Lots of the parts came in boxes so he needs points of reference for some items.

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Wednesday 3rd January 2013

Couple of hours at the workshop this morning, basically spent cleaning while Wade continued with Big Red. I did contribute to that exercise as I cleaned and re-gapped Big Red's sparkplugs! Then, rather than have me looking over his shoulder while he re-set tappets etc, Wade set me to work cleaning up Harvey's 320 block. It had gone up to Tamworth months back, along with a slew of other 320 blocks, and been hot tanked for its troubles. But with very degraded valve seat surfaces, among other problems, was passed over in favour of the one now in use. My job was to clean it up so it could receive a protective coating prior to returning it to Harvey. Wheeled the block out into the carpark on a hand trolley then commenced scraping and wire brushing. Along the way noticed, besides the usual casting date and marks, there were a lot of numbers and letters stamped into various block surfaces. Don't remember seeing any of these on the other 320 blocks so I'm surmising they were probably stamped there when the engine was rebuilt at some stage. Amazing what catches your attention when working on Packards!

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Mal, watched some frightening news coverage from Australia last night. The news was of the bad wild fires in New South Whales near Sydney. I hope everyone there is safe from the fires and that they are burning in uninhabited areas. Stay safe.

(o{}o)

Friday 11th January 2013

John, fortunately although there has been property, pasture damage and livestock loss no lives have been lost. But things are heating up again with 95 fires already reported state wide and temperatures soaring.

On another note hitched a ride with Noel to pick up a box of Hershey goodies from Sydneys semi-rural outskirts at Rouse Hill. Thought we might call in to see DavidM on the way but the reason to head in that direction fell through, so maybe another time. Noel had borrowed a ute to pick up the box of goodies and what a box it was. Constructed on a pallet base it went from DAF to LA and on to Oz. Contained many Twelve parts for Peter Packard as well as parts for Noel and myself with half my stuff being parts for Starliner. After picking up the box up we returned to Bankstown where there was an unpacking to filter our stuff out from Peters. Noel will then take the remaining parts to Peter at Canberra tomorrow afternoon. There was a touch of excitement in the unpacking, a bit like opening Christmas presents, in discovering again some of my impulse Hershey purchases which had slipped from memory! Noel was a little concerned though, because he couldn't find the almost mint Goddess of Speed he'd picked up for his '41. But, later at home, he discovered it carefully packed within a box with some breakables.

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