Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

Hi. I have a 1950 Series 23 Deluxe 8 Touring Sedan. One of the big items I had was related to electrical issues such and draining battery for no reason. I found shorts in the loom by measuring the current draw on the battery cable with everything shut off. I bought an original looking repro harness from a good vendor. Then I spent about 6 months installing the harness. Also I installed a kill switch to avoid draining the battery when the car is parked (and also an anti-theft device). I also got a 'Genernator' to produce a charging system that looks correct and works like an alternator.

Based on this experience I was amazed at how much work it takes to install a complete loom. If you choose to do this make sure you list every task that would be made easier if you combined it with the rewiring. I suggest looking at the following:
1. Replace every bulb and fuse during rewiring
2. Buy and install a Genernator
3. If the headliner needs replacing remove it first and install it after rewiring is complete
4. Overhaul and restore every electrical device that you may want to do later
5. Pull the heater and restore it, including testing the core and the temperature controller
6. Restore the lights front and rear
7. If you want to add electrical accessories such as fog lights, backup light, an auxiliary cooling fan, etc. do it along with the rewiring and get the necessary extra wires put into the new loom.

Best of luck with your Packard. It is a great cruiser. If someone calls it a 'bathtub' tell them its a 'streamliner'.

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I'm not really looking forward to it!it looks like someone has done under the dash already.I'm hopeing to get away with just the engine bay rt now

Great looking car. I always liked the 1948-50 Packard.

John

Great looking car. I really like the color combination and those outstanding wire wheels.

The paint colors are authentic factory colors. The 2-tone design is copied from factory publicity photos I found on this website. However apparently Packard never produced 2-tone Series 23 cars, probably because they realized the 2-tone costs more than they could sell the option for.

The wire wheels are reproduction Packard wheels. However they are cheap Chinese chrome and the rusted within a couple years. I recently had them black powder coated and that solves the rust problem.

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Welcome to a wonderful web page that has a lot of information. The members are especially great at offering advice and support to your new vice! I have a 53 Clipper that I was thinking about converting to a GM drive train. The members on this page urged me to install an overdrive and keep it Packard stock. Glad I did! Welcome again! Steve

Welcome to a wonderful web page that has a lot of information. The members are especially great at offering advice and support to your new vice! I have a 53 Clipper that I was thinking about converting to a GM drive train. The members on this page urged me to install an overdrive and keep it Packard stock. Glad I did! Welcome again! Steve

Welcome lowandslow, To add to the list MrBumble suggested, I carry a fire extinguisher in all 4 of my cars.......Don't leave home without it.

Fred, your 2 tone Packard is stunning - I love the contrast of the black and is it cream? Very nice indeed!

Steve

I guess the collector car hobby illusion of doing what it took a whole factory to do by one person continues.