Packard Forum Index » Pre-War (1899-1942)

Greetings again Friends, I am working a deal with a very nice person. He has a 1942 Packard on Ebay. It is a 160 with side mounts. I am at a loss of the exact model and thought you would be so kind as to "school" me on just exactly what it is. Also any other info on the 42 would be of great help as This car is out of my league ! Thanks you for the help Dale

This one? Looks nice. If you can get the ID plate numbers from the seller that will help in identification. Once you have the ID plate numbers look at the 20th Model Series Info here.

Dear John:

That looks to be a Super Eight One Sixty Model 2004, body type 1562 Toruing Sedan on the 138 inch wheelbase, shipping weight 4090 lbs w/o side mounts, 165 hp

Did you buy it? I noticed it was off of Ebay.

YES Sir Thats my Baby I did. I am nervous I hope it is as nice as it looks and the statement said. I think it might need new tires. Could I put "radials" on it? Would it make it ride better? When I spoke to the gentleman who has it for sale, he said that the under side was as clean as the topside. So any one who can give the Pros or Cons of the this Model Please do so. Thanks Dale

Yes you can put on radials. Do check the condition of the shocks and suspension. Post some pictures of that bad boy!

congratulations

As already said, yes you can put radials on it. The handling on irregular pavement will be improved, steering will take a bit more effort and ride will be a little harsher. There is a fairly broad acceptance that radials don't benefit the prewar cars with Safe-T-Flex suspension as much as the prewar Clipper and postwar chassis. You might even be able to get away with tubeless, I know of several prewar Packards as early as 1937 that used tubeless and the rims were airtight.

Have had tubeless Diamondback radials on my '41 120 for the past 4 years. No problems with leaking but you'll need to ensure your rims are good and true. Do ride harsher, require more effort for parking and slow speed manouveres but as said irregular surface performance is better.

I would like to put "radials and SS Wire Wheels on her. Can any one advise of 1 is that possible. 2 Where and what type of SS Wire Wheels to get.3 Who sells them and 4. The type and make of radial tire I could use and where to buy them. 5 what size rim an tire can I go with . Thanks Dale

I'd wait on the wheels until you have lived with the car. When you do this there are other things that may need attention, like brakes, shocks,etc. While the wire wheels would be cool, keep in mind, the manufacturer had a look that is also very cool with the stock wheels and hub caps. Non stock wheels can also throw off the offset causing failure of wheel bearings, etc. Sometimes just new trim rings and hubcaps will give you the dazzle Packard fathers intended. We hope you will join the club nationally and locally so we can track this great car.