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Thursday 31st October 2013

Last night received a call from Noel who had been in contact with Wade yesterday. And because of some difficulties that Fleurette is experiencing Wade, because he can't make it to the workshop this week, suggested that Noel have me look at the problems. Looks like I'd been promoted to a hands on role! That sort of thinking could set a dangerous precedent! Anyway, arranged to meet Noel and Fleurette there while I would bring the Coupe because there was more measuring to do. And wouldn't you know it, and wasn't I relieved, that two of the apparent problems were no longer evident. These being a "knock-knock" sound from up front which Noel thought he'd tentatively identified as coming from the water pump. The other phantom was difficulties with the gear change, in not being able to get into forward gears, and I experienced an even bigger sigh of relief that that was no longer a problem. There was one thing though, the brakes appeared to be grabbing so when Noel and Fleurette arrived a hand on each wheel identified the right rear as hotter than the others. Noel then backed Fleurette into the workshop and, after Rick moved a couple of cars, up she went on the hoist. For that I had to enlist John's help because, although I thought I was pushing the right button I wasn't. The remote control unit when hanging from its hook is upside down so although I thought I was pushing the up button it was really the down one! That sorted, and Fleurette up, found the right rear wheel wouldn't turn at all while the left rear was somewhat limited. Backed off the brakes till both were free and then turned to the OD, for which Noel wanted the oil level checked and which was OK. Back down on the ground, after another tutorial from John because of the delay in pressing and holding the down button(the right one) and the hoist responding, then I thought we'd be off for a test drive. But not yet, Fleurette's front seat squab wasn't catching on the clip on the passengers side and needed attention. Brute strength didn't do anything to help and, after removing the squab from the car and some advice from Noel it was apparent why. The squab had come from a donor car and the drivers side "clip" had been repositioned at some stage, twice in fact. The passengers side "clip" though was still original and needs the same treatment to make that aspect of the Packard ownership experience joyful rather than frustrating. Noel, maybe in collaboration with friend Tony, will attend to that in due course. Off on the test run and, apart from a lower pedal, the brakes were fine and not dragging or grabbing. The final thing was measuring up part of Noel's 160 Coupe right side inner fender panel and comparing it to the one in my 120. A slight difference of 270mm for the 120 versus 275mm for the 160. Not much of a difference, but it is different. Because I'm planning to take a run up to Vintage Motor Garage on the Central Coast in the next week or two Noel is interested in riding along to determine whether than can make him a replacement inner fender panel. And sorry, no pic's today. In my hands on role I forgot to take any, that's a first!

Wednesday 6th November 2013

Nothing happening at the workshop, but there have been some Packard goings on. Michael, Noel and myself took a trip up to the Vintage Motor Garage at Central Mangrove in my Coupe to, among other things, see whether they could make a new left right side inner fender panel and lower grill panel for Noel's '41 160 Coupe. The panels he has are very rusty, swiss cheese like and, especially the lower grill panel, are lacking in strength. But on arrival, before Noel got into a panel making discussion, we saw that Phil's '26 Limo was still in residence. Last time we were there 29th July it was thought it'd only be about a month before the Limo was heading to Tassie for finishing, but obviously it hasn't happened yet. After that Noel recovered the panels from the boot(trunk) of my Coupe he conferred with the proprietor, Jonathon. We then departed together with the panels as the estimate was very steep, lucky Noel has a strong constitution otherwise we might have had to carry him to the car from where he fell in a heap from the price shock! But all was not lost, by chance Noel left the panels in the boot(trunk) of my Coupe but was able to meet up with him later to hand them back. The occasion being a PACA Committee meeting, one of whose members is DavidM. Seeing David there, it came to Noel that maybe David could help him out with the panels. Upshot is that David left with the panels and is going to try to save them if possible and at what would be a more comfortable cost I'm sure. At least this will pull David away from working on BSAs, Singers, Alvii(plural of Alvis?) and such as well as his Maxwell and back onto Packards. Actually David is currently working on the Maxwell, there's been a lull with the little Pommie cars, and has the Maxwells diff apart for the umpteenth time and is determined to get it right this time!

PS - Does anyone have, or know of, a '41 160 right inner fender panel or lower grill panel for sale? Noel would be interested!

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Friday 8th November 2013

David's advice re the panels is this "After a close look at Noel's panels in the light of day I think they are beyond repair. I don't have the gear to make new ones properly. I will suggest he follows up with Chris's panel beater."

So the PS from my previous post of "Does anyone have, or know of, a '41 160 right inner fender panel or lower grill panel for sale? Noel would be interested!" is even more pertinent. I've also posted this wanted ad.

Monday 11th November 2013

Harking back to posts of days gone by, see #1274 and a number of subsequent ones, there was a competition of sorts for a picture caption. I don't think I ever announced a "winner" and that thought has been nagging me for almost a year. The main reason being, I didn't have a suitable "prize" although mention had been made that something from the workshop would probably fill the bill. Instead, and the judges decision is final with no correspondence being entered into, I am finally announcing JW as the winner! More because a suitable prize has now entered my possession than anything else! Following JW's Clipper "starring role" in the movie Parkland, about the Kennedy assassination, the "prize" is a magazine with an article on Jacki Weaver who featured in the movie and "drove" JW's Clipper!

John, the magazine will soon be winging it's way to you.

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Mal, I am honored and happy to hear the contest results. The prize is most appropriate. Many thanks to you for sponsoring this fun event. It is these things that make the site what it is - First Class. Looking forward to receiving the magazine are reading about Jackie and "Parkland".

I still have not seen the movie. It was premiered here in Austin about a month ago, then had a short run at one house. No news of it since. This all reminds me to see when it will be released.

When on our trip to New Mexico in September to visit with family and friends and do some volunteer work for the Santa Fe Concorso we viewed "Rush" (highly recommend it). Coming out of the movie got this photo of a "Parkland" poster and me in the theatre lobby. Also reposting the photo of Jackie and me during the filming in Austin.

Edit: Oops, too quick on the Send button. Here is the poster photo.

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Mal - The prize arrived yesterday. Enjoying reading the various articles and looking at the advertisements. There is a nice article in it about Mark Webber, one of my favorite F1 drivers. Saw him on Sunday at the US F1 GP here in Austin. Great driving, but he just could not get around Grosjean's Lotus. Still, finished on the podium for a 3rd place. Thanks for sponsoring the contest and providing the prize. Take care.

(o{}o)

JW, you can buy it now at any retailer i believe. I forgot about your car being in the movie and plan to view it soon myself. as for F1, I wish BMW was still running around out there.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/parkland-dvd/2072083.p;jsessionid=36E6AC5E558EC6689651894A314B04BC.bbolsp-app03-141?id=2750172&skuId=2072083&st=parkland&lp=1&cp=1

Hank, thanks for the pointer to Best Buy. I'll head over there and see if they have a copy. I too wish BMW were still in F1. The Sauber team is still running and BMW had it for a time until Peter bought it back.

(o{}o)

Got a DVD of "Parkland" this afternoon and viewed it. Thanks Hank. The scene where my 55 Clipper was used did not make the final version. The scene was redone completely different with no cars involved. It is a powerful and intense movie. Well done and I recommend it to those interested in the assassination. Oh well, my fleeting fame once again escapes me.

(o{}o)

P.S. Jackie Weaver was great playing the disturbed mother of Lee Harvey.

I was about to ask you if you thought the scene with your car was cut, cause I could not find it either.

disappointing it was cut.