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Recently fitted the new front windscreen. The mobile screen fitter came around (at last, after a couple of weeks delay) and we got it in with no problems. Not a real easy job, so I'm glad he was available to do it.

The instructions that came with the screen rubber seal reckoned you place the seal into the window hole then press the glass into the seal from the inside of the car, working around with maybe a hooked tool. Well, as my earlier post said, that wasn't going to work because the seal was smaller that the opening so wouldn't stay 'seated' in the window hole, and kept falling out.

Workshop Manual was saying to place the seal around the glass first then use the cord method to get the rubber lip seated correctly, pressing the assembly in from the outside of the car. That was a much better way to do it. We did it this way and in she went quite easily. Getting the round rubber compression strip in was tricky at the bottom of the screen, and the modern fitting tools the guy had were all too large to work in that confined space. So we gave the strip a good squirt of WD40 and worked the strip in with a hooked tool. Took around 20 minutes to get it in all around but good result.

Then we used the traditional black non-hardening screen sealant all round the seal (both edges outside). Mostly what is used nowadays is neutral cure silicone but the fellow agreed the mastic is better in some ways. It will prevent rust developing on the metal lip of the body. Just a lot messier to use than silicone.

My son and I had fitted the rear screen a while ago (doing it the hard way). It is toughened glass and I have a spare of it. Front screen is laminated, and I have no spare for it. So having an expert do it was the go. I am feeling a lot happier now this delicate job is done. Nice to have a new windscreen with no scratches.

Here are pics of the front seat combo I just picked up from the upholsterer. The work has taken over two weeks and isn't finished yet because I underestimated the amount of gray cloth that was needed. Very silly of me because it needs to come from SMS and will take a while.

He had quite a hard job getting the vinyl around the seat frame (- not much stretch in it)and for a while it seemed I would have to forgo the vinyl and use the blue broadcloth. But he kept working on it and it looks great. The vinyl is original colour and looks very 'lively' in the sunlight. Whole job is as per original colours, cloth/vinyl and style. Expensive but what the heck!

I am pleased with the job that has been done. It is a local business and I was able to check progress while the work was being done. There were a few things to sort out and being available to discuss was very handy.

Now there is just the squab of the rear seat to be done, after the extra gray cloth has arrived from the States (hopefully in a few of weeks).

Those seats look amazing!

Can't wait to see the interior all put together. It will look rich.

We almost never see a 200 with the interior done correctly (heaven knows mine isn't) so this is an extra treat. I saw some online review of a 200--it might have been some Hemmings feature of a car for sale; the reviewer complained of Packard's taxi-like interior. The car in question had been upholstered with several acres of black vinyl. Guess the reviewer could not tell it wasn't original. There weren't many factory interior photos of these cars, and none in color so your car will be a benchmark.

Thanks fellers for the encouragement. There are so many ways to make the interior nice and even much flashier and opulent but when I have been in other Packards it felt good to be surrounded by what was the 'current style' for that year or era. I think it's a part of the history that is worth preserving fairly accurately if possible. But not always a cinch to do.

51 Packard Driven at last


I have taken the '51 out for a test drive, the first time it has been on the road in about 45 years. It felt very good.

Although there was still a lot to do to get the car finished and fully ready to be registered we drove it successfully and without incident, and managed to get back home OK.

With the help of my sons (- who all came home for the event) we took the car off the blocks it had been sitting on for the last year or more during restoration, and out of the garage under its own power. Then after a few 'test climbs' and reverses up and down our steep driveway, it was out onto the street for an approximately one mile drive around the back streets.

My biggest concern was whether the un-restored Ultramatic was going to work or not, after sitting around unused for about 45 years on garage floors. So, after startup I was feeling very disappointed for a few moments when I selected High range on the Ultramatic and found the car only moved forward a few feet, before sitting there, revving and going nowhere. It seemed I might have to push it back into the garage and consider the next move. So I had another go, this time in Low range, and it moved up the drive easily this time.

(Since then I've been told that it can take a few seconds for the converter to pump up, and it seems that was the problem).

With sons manning some large blocks of wood to chock the wheels in case the tranny or brakes failed on the slope, and my wife manning the video camera we backed and forwarded up the driveway a few times, until I was sure the fully restored brakes were ok (including park brake) and the Ultramatic was behaving and wouldn't leave me in 'angel gear' on a hill.

My youngest son and I then ventured onto the street and headed up the hill, with another son following in a modern just in case. The car was minus a muffler and tailpipe, so everyone could hear us coming. Then cruised slowly for about a mile, until back home, whereupon I was able to give reverse gear a good test by backing into the garage.

Then followed a few whoops and hollers and we celebrated with a goodly number of alcoholic beverages well into the night.

The car is drivable now. It braked well and even steered well despite not yet having had a wheel alignment. Engine sounded sweet (aside from being very loud) and pulled well although it hasn't been properly tuned yet. Temperature sat mid-range also. Oil pressure 30psi hot at idle.

I have placed one small (1 minute) video of the drive online, you may want to view it at Short movie of the test drive

Sound on for the best effect!

Update:

Had the car inspected and on Wednesday it was fully registered for road use.

There are still quite a lot of things to be done, but the exhaust and headlining is fitted. Other items to get done are: wheel alignment, voltage regulator adjusted, fit the carpet, door trims and handles, fit the rear seat and a hundred small things as well. Also need to get the wipers working better (- they barely move).

Also, the Ultramatic is locking in direct drive when I slow to a standstill, causing the engine to stall unless I shift to Neutral. I'm told that this could be caused by the governor,or maybe a sticking valve. If it is a stuck valve, it might free up with a bit of driving.

It is great to have the car finally drivable after eight years of work restoring her.

Will post some more photos soon.

Ready to take the first drive
[img width=450]<a href="http://s829.photobucket.com/user/Larry51_2009/media/Packard%20Project/First%20Drive%20in%2045%20Years/VIDEO003203_zpse2c8d914.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz218/Larry51_2009/Packard%20Project/First%20Drive%20in%2045%20Years/VIDEO003203_zpse2c8d914.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo VIDEO003203_zpse2c8d914.jpg"/></a>[/img]

Heading out after driveway tests
[img width=450]<a href="http://s829.photobucket.com/user/Larry51_2009/media/Packard%20Project/First%20Drive%20in%2045%20Years/DSCN348721_zps1f57f232.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz218/Larry51_2009/Packard%20Project/First%20Drive%20in%2045%20Years/DSCN348721_zps1f57f232.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo DSCN348721_zps1f57f232.jpg"/></a>[/img]

[img width=450]<a href="http://s829.photobucket.com/user/Larry51_2009/media/Packard%20Project/First%20Drive%20in%2045%20Years/DSCN348733_zps11fc2dca.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz218/Larry51_2009/Packard%20Project/First%20Drive%20in%2045%20Years/DSCN348733_zps11fc2dca.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo DSCN348733_zps11fc2dca.jpg"/></a>[/img]

After the exhaust and bumper bars etc were fitted . . .
[img width=450]<a href="http://s829.photobucket.com/user/Larry51_2009/media/Packard%20Project/Bumpers%20and%20Exhaust%20Fitted/Lres0016_zpsdfee362c.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz218/Larry51_2009/Packard%20Project/Bumpers%20and%20Exhaust%20Fitted/Lres0016_zpsdfee362c.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo Lres0016_zpsdfee362c.jpg"/></a>[/img]

I especially liked the end when you started up a grade and the engine sounded like a large private aircraft throttling up for takeup. Congratulations, well done!

saw the vid and was like...AHHHH...get on the other side of the road....then I remembered where you are from the minute you started talking. LOL!

nice job!

"Had the car inspected and on Wednesday it was fully registered for road use"
Congratulations Lee and Marilyn, to the running, driving world of Packards. Maybe you'll be able to come to the clubs Christmas lunch in December in it? It's only about 190km each way, should be a good test run scenario!

Congratulations, Larry!