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I have recently acquired a 1951 Packard 300 as a Dad and Lad project car. It is in serious need of some TLC to restore it to its former glory.

I'd be interested in advice and suggestions on a good order of operations for the restoration from anyone who has undertaken a similar restoration in the past.

After an initial once over, everything needs at least some work as the car has been sitting for a long time. The good news is the engine is not seized, but I'll strip it down to be sure.

My current thinking is to start on the braking system, then move to the engine and cooling before tackling the electrical.

Once it can stop and go, I can then better evaluate the rest of the mechanical systems and pick them off one by one. Leaving cosmetic issues to the last phase.

Based on the collective knowledge of the forum, is this a reasonable order? Or, should I approach things in a different sequence? Should I combine working on brakes and steering at the same time?

Here's you a good starting point.
Wes

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G'day JMB,
to PackardInfo and for including your '51 300 Touring Sedan in the Packard Owner's Registry.

With long sleepers like yours I always try to get them running first--oil up the cylinders, crank them over with the plugs out til the oil light goes off. Then hook up a gravity feed tank to the carb and clean the points so that they conduct electricity. Fire it up. See if the trans will go into gear. Sure it won't run well and you can't drive it but you will have an idea early on what you are up against.

This is actually a type of emergency room triage. If major problems show up like bottom end noise or no movememt from the Ultramatic you can make a decision about whether you want to go forward with the car at all. It is too depressing and may doom the lad's enthusiasm to encounter a major roadblock after some work has been done. Supply of postwar Packard sedans is large and is probably already outstripping demand so you can choose your battles after you know the basic situation.

Many thanks for the document - it gives me a good place to start.

I have had the engine running from a plastic bottle of gas, fed directly into the carb. While it sounded rough - there were no unexpected noises.

I didn't risk putting the car into gear as the brakes are not working at all. I didn't fancy fixing the garage walls as well as the car.