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Another newbie question: on the front splash apron between the body and the bumper on, either side of the center of the grill, which is painted body color there are several tiny holes (almost like staples have been removed). Is there supposed to be a piece of rubber trim or filler attached? I can find no pictures or diagrams in the Parts and Accessories List.

No, nothing

Actually, there are staple holes in mine also. This was for some anti-rattle rubber strip the prevents the pans from banging into the bumpers.

Here I just used some L channel rubber and glued them to the pans with some weatherstrip adhesive.

Most cars are missing these, so people don't know they are actually supposed to be there.

If you look at the rear pans, those have them also and I believe those are listed in the Steele Catalog.

My front splash apron has 3 rubber pieces on the front edge (I believe that one is missing). There are strips of what looks like thin tar paper on the bottom and top of the rear edge too. These are held on with staples. The rubber and "tar paper" were originally black. I'm hoping to attach some photos:

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G'day 54Les,

to PackardInfo, I invite you to include your Packard in the Packard Owner's Registry.

...............and the mystery is solved. Thanks!

.......and 54Les for including your '54 Convertible Coupe in the Packard Owner's Registry.

I had the rear fender skirts off this weekend and noticed that they have similar "staple holes" along the top edge of the skirt where it meets the body. There must have been some type of gasket or welting to insulate the skirt from the body? Does anyone have a picture of the original material?

The is used between the rear splash pans and the bumpers.

steelerubber.com/gravel-shield-anti-squeak-30-0476-44

The 1/16" woven flat webbing in the illustration is very similar to what was there originally. One thing to be careful about on the fender skirt cushion material is thickness.

Many have used the material available from Restoration Specialties and others. It doesn't come in the correct width but buying a wider width and cutting in half to fit the fender skirts is the usual method. The 1/16" thickness usually works but is right at the upper limit for some of the skirts to fit properly when bolted on. You might place your skirts on the car and take note of how much clearance there is between the skirt and fender to see what might fit.

McMaster-Carr has thinner .025 and .053 cotton webbing in appropriate widths but it does not appear to be water resistant.

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