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Saturday, October 28th, 2017

Likely to be close to the last post in this Blog. Why? Because I'm no longer a Packard owner! A combination of factors has led me to sell my '41 120 Coupe 2 days ago, being: 1) My mechanical aptitude, or more correctly mechanical ineptitude, 2) My body is not as good as it used to be, experiencing difficulty in getting out from getting under, and 3) My enthusiasm is waning. On the last one, the flame for me once burned very brightly but now while it's not flickering it isn't as bright as it used to be. I'm still a Packard man but now it'll be from a different perspective.

This all came about a couple of months ago preparing the Coupe for a weekend at Temora, a 600km round trip, for an airshow there. An oil change and grease became an unacceptable experience and planted the seed for the sale.

Then, after advertising the Coupe in our Club magazine, warts and all, FrankB from Cowra inspected and test drove it last week and is now its new owner. Frank also owns this '29 633.

Because Cowra is about 200kms from me, as the crow flies, but about 290kms by road, I determined to deliver the Coupe to Frank to save on transportation charges. But....how would I return home? Cowra, a real country town, is no longer served by trains or buses as I soon found out through our friend Google. Frank offered to drive me home while another club member, Geoff offered to follow me to Cowra in his car and drive me home. Both great offers but I didn't want to inconvenience either by imposing on them. However some fortuitous circumstances arose which enabled a meaningful trip to be made by Frank enabling me to return home. One, a fellow Packard club member BigBadBarry had passed away and his funeral service was being conducted on the afternoon of Friday the 27th. The other being that Frank was working on the intake/exhaust manifold off Geoff's '39 TJR bodied Six Sedan and had also procured a new muffler for it. So it came to pass that FRank drove me home on the Thursday, attended the funeral on the Friday and is helping Geoff put his Packard back together today then returning to Cowra.

So, on Tuesday the 26th I drove the Coupe to Cowra but not without incident. For about the last 110kms of the trip there was often a stuttering in the running of the car, which I think was fuel system related. The Coupe never stopped, and I never wanted to stop because while not exactly the "outback" it is very rural with help not readily available if I did break down. So I pushed on checking the mileage posts and counting them down, 75, 70, 65, 60, etc so I had some idea of where I was in case, horror, the Coupe had to be trucked the remainder of the journey! Fortunately it kept on keeping on although stalling when I had to pull up to make a right turn into the main street of Cowra. It also stalled after I pulled up in Franks driveway. And both times it easily restarted. Frank didn't seem too perturbed by this development and was still keen to buy the car.

I was thinking this development might be attributable to a load of "dirty" fuel. I'd stopped on the way to Cowra and filled up at a Shell petrol station. Earlier this year, with my fuel system problems, I'd also filled up from a Shell petrol station albeit a completely different one this time around. Inspection, at Frank's, of the filter fitted before the carburettor failed to reveal any sediment so that didn't seem the obvious cause. However Frank is confident he'll be able to find and fix the problem.

But back to the Shell stopped at on the way to Cowra. On the other side of the pump I used there were a group of young guys(20's/30's?) filling up their van and race car, a Datsun 260Z. Got to talking with them about the Coupe and also about the Z, which had seen better days, there was a front parking light help on by a cable tie amongst other things. They were heading to Wakefield Park, a car racing circuit near Goulburn, and which co-incidently our club had visited during the course of a club run about 2 weeks previously. Note, no Packards took to the track, we were only there as spectators. Later, after leaving the Shell, I pulled over on the motorway and fielded a phone call. No sooner had I pulled over when the young guys with the Z pulled up and enquired whether I needed any help. Thanked them for their concern but was able to advise the circumstance why I had pulled over, but good to know there are samaritans out there.

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Mal, Sorry to hear you are no longer a Packard owner but totally understand the sentiment behind the decision. I too have been blessed with the same maladies and an increasing lack of enthusiasm. The mood wavers daily but the way it seems to be going the 47 is starting to look like a project for the next owner too.

Howard,

Sorry to hear the Clipper could be going on the backburner. Since I visited in 2012 to now, the progress you've made has been significant.

Whatever you decide to do, it is only one car. While the amount of guidance and advice so freely given to others here, and on other sites, has been incredible contributing to getting and/or keeping countless other Packards on the road. Keep up the good work!

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Good Evening Mal...Utter Bummer! Ernie

Gentlemen,
Even if you don't have a Packard to work on, hopefully you will offer your words of wisdom for guys like me, who need a helpful suggestion on my Packard.

Another crazy thought, help a Packard owner who has a Packard that needs to be exercised. We all know they don't do well just sitting.

Mal, Howard, et.al.

First of all, Mal, congratulations on securing a new and caring home for your 41 One-Twenty. We all followed your blog on the Packard and shared your disappointments when it failed to proceed, and celebrated your joys on the adventures you had with it.

As some of you here may be aware, I have placed my 1937 Six Convertible Coupe on the market. This is not a desperation sale, and I will gladly keep it until the right buyer comes along at the right price.

I echo what Mal and Howard have said about diminishing abilities and interest. I am well into my 78th orbit and things change with time. Don't be mistaken, I still have my health. We are planning on moving back to Santa Fe, my home town, next summer. The relocation and storage space played a part in my decision.

It has been a great ride, and a worthwhile journey. Especially rewarding have been all the wonderful folks that I have come into contact with through the years on this site during the ownership of three Packards. People here have generously shared their knowledges and experiences, and I am thankful for their contributions enhancing my understanding. I still plan on being around, listening and commenting.

I will always be a Packard man, but not one who owns one.

JWL

Hell I'm 36 and some days even I'm not in the mood to mess with the cars, so I feel ya man! I'm glad it found a good Packard home! Always did like your car Mal!

Guys, for all the kind words.

I intend to stay actively involved in the Packard scene both on-line and here in Oz. I'm the Secretary of our Packard Club and will continue in that position also attending runs, rallys, shows etc.

I love ya my down under friend!

I'm glad you are staying involved with Packards. You don't need to own one to be an enthusiast. You are a fixture at Packardinfo and will remain so for a long time.
Good on ya namesake.