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On a personal note, my 400 did wonderfully. This was the longest I'd ever driven her and she did not disappoint. I now consider myself a "full-fledged" Packard guy because now I can say, "Yup.........just get in her and go as Packards can be trusted and relied upon always." I drove her round-trip from Tucson to Laughlin and covered 867 miles. She averaged 16.25 mpg and on one leg of the trip I got 18.96 mpg. In addition, my Packard turned 100,000 miles during the trip as the pictures show.

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Before I forget.

I made some new friends over this past weekend and renewed old friendships. BigKev, it was a sincere pleasure to meet you, talk with you, share meals with you and talk Packards and other topics with you. I can't say it enough Kevin, BUT without out you and your creation, many would still be wandering without direction. Simply, thank-you for all you do and have done for us!

I want to thank Jim Wagnor and his gracious bride. I was treated to several rides in their '40 160 sedan convertible and I'm antsy now for a pre-war Packard. Jim's 160 was whisper quiet and awesome.

Mike and Sara that rode with me to Oatman. Mike is still working on his '48 Packard in Apache Junction. You both are Packards' future! Young, and so ever interested in all things Packards. May the interest grow only brighter and deeper. I enjoyed spending time with both of you.

Craig and Roy. We will have to set another date to "throw some back" again. I had fun hanging with youse guyz and I appreciated the compliments on the 400.

I'm told only 5 Packards attended the 1st ever River Run, BUT this year 15 approximately availed themselves. We even had 3 customized Packards. I'm amazed with what Paul ('56 Executive), Frank ('46 Clipper) and the gentleman from Kingman (48 Packard sedan) did with their Packards. Hopefully next year the total will triple again!

I just returned from Laughlin this mid afternoon. I also had a great time meeting old and new Packard friends and I would thoroughly recommend to one and all attending this meet next year.

There was much more foot traffic this year because a "Barbecue Cook Off" was being held in the South parking lot underneath the big Riverside sign. Many of those attendees and tourists made the short walk over to our Packard display venue on Saturday. Not too many asked, "Who made Packard?"

I and my 55 Pat were involved in two road "good deeds" while I was there. 1st, on the way back from Oatman, a fellow Packard (53 Clipper) and crew were stopped on the side of the highway with the hood up. Of course I stopped to render assistance. The problem was minor: "out of gas!" Fortunately, I had a full 2gal plastic gas can in my trunk which got him going again.

2nd assistance was on the way home about 10 miles North of Laughlin on Hwy 163. Just seconds before we came upon him, a motorcyclist had hit the retaining wall on a curve, so Paul & Sue Ann Cornwell (56 Exec), Wesley Cornwell (Jap jellybean car) and I (55 Pat) all stopped to render assistance. Fortunately, the "hog driver" had relatively minor injuries, but his left shoulder will be out of commission for a while. After Ranger, EMTs and NHP arrived, we felt our duty was done and continued our trip home with no more incidents.

Craig

My 2 cents here

Thanks to all for your hospitality at this, my first Packards event. My 53 ran great--aside from the electric gremlins, falsely indicating an oil pressure problem: A rod knock free 750 miles round trip, with less body fatigue from driving than I get in my DTS on 150 mile trips! Ask this man who owns one, indeed! I'm imaging how much nicer she'll ride with the new weatherstripping to silence the wind noise.

Thanks to Craig for the gas--I now know that my gas gauge is accurate! And thanks to Paul and Sue Ann (56 Exec with those cool wheels/covers and air shifter, and a 56 Clipper El Packero in the works), Wayne (48 FATPAC--way Kool), Frank (smooth 46 Clip with retro 80s interior), KevinAZ (gorgeous 55 400), Orv (48 #1+ restoration), and others whose names escape me now--is it John with the 53 factory hot rod Clipper, and Duane with the 55 2-tone blue Clipper?

And, most of all, Big Kev for putting it all together. I love the hubcap trophy idea!

I'll be seeing some of you in Orange County in Feb.

Now, on to some body work on my dimpled roof--thanks for the bodywork advice Frank, Paul, and BigKev--it's off to Harbor Freight for the body hammer.

Oh by the way, brother-in-law Ruben thinks Packards are cool, but his automobile OCD has him obsessing on 58 Impalas! Whatever to get him off his Harley!


Lynn

Thanks to every one that came out and helped with the event. Jim is really quiet driving force behind getting most of it organized and arranged. So special thanks to him!

Here are some of the pics I took. A couple of pictures to note is the optional "Church Key" accessory bumper on the Jim's 140 Convertible Sedan.

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A nice collection of Packards and thanks for the pictures, one and all. Looks like a fine time was had by all, and I wish the event were about 2000 miles closer to me, I'd be there.

Thanks for the pictures, it is great to see all those fine Packards. If it wasn't for my committment to The Royal Canadian Legion for Remembrance Day I would be there. Maybe next year!

Image 76 really puts things in perspective. I'm glad the rocks stayed firmly attached while the daredevils out for exercise were under them.

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The climb into the cave above was tough; the drop getting back out apparently had the folks watching from across the wash a little worried. Admittedly, I was the dare devil in the top of the image, My brother Mike (Mike owns a '40 110 convertible coupe) was the dare devil below. Exploring Kev's tour site was really fun. Everyone seemed very interested because it was so accessible to see, yet such a historically significant site.


The meet was really fun! Don't let Kev fool anyone, he does plenty. It's so rewarding to see Packard Info proudly displayed in bright lights on the marquee.

We had a blast pre-running the tour destinations, especially doing the dirt road at 35ish MPH in the '40. I really didn't know we would be doing dirt road touring, and had only installed the engine shield and radiator air deflectors shortly before leaving for this event. Was sure glad I did.

Meeting everyone from last years event was great, and meeting new folks from here was a treat. I echo Kevin's synopsis of how nice it was to be with folks, ride around together experiencing every facet of Packarding.

It also bears mentioning that our Packard friends on the final leg of the PI national tour were big contributors to the success of this gathering. A special thanks to Jay Johnson and Gary Osko for their hand in making this happen. There seemed to be great mutual benefit from this joint gathering, as many of the members of PI had not been aware of Packard Info, and conversely, folks from Packard Info were not aware of Packard's International and local regions. A win-win it would seem!

With that said, the banquet turned out well, with the awards well received. One note worthy mention is that Jay Johnson's beautiful '56 Caribbean was the Don Laughlin award recipient this year.

The only mishap was of course not with the Packard, but with a relatively new radial tire on the Packard Info trailer. Not with the nearly 15 or so year old bias ply tire on the Packard. I hate radials. Hahaha

This was really fun! It was great being with everyone and making new friends!!!

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Had such a great time everyone! Thanks again Jim and Kevin for letting Sarah and I ride with you guys. That really made the trip and we are already planning for next year.

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