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My father is a proud owner of a 1932 Super 8 tan & maroon convertible. They live in San Diego. I want to get him a fire extinguisher for his Packard for Christmas (yes, I'm a little late!). Can you help me find one that's both cool and the right kind for a 1932 Super 8 Packard?

Thank you!
Whitney (proud Packard daughter)

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Hi proud Whitney (Wfisler), welcome to PackardInfo.com!

A related discussion you can find -> there.

You may have several brands suggested and in truth any fire extinguisher is better than nothing. Whatever you buy be sure and get one suitable for A,B,C type fires which will cover most anything found in an automobile. Some even recommend an extinguisher covering ABC&K type fires due to possible heavy oil and grease covered components that can be found in old original cars.

Downside to most of the extinguishers commercially available at parts and hardware stores etc is that the small ones in a size suitable for carrying in a car are more than likely a powder based dry chemical type extinguisher. The powder is a real mess to clean up and even if the fire doesn't do significant damage, the powder hitting and staying on the upholstery and finished surfaces can destroy something previously undamaged. I would avoid dry chemical types.

Many in the old car hobby are using and recommending clean agent extinguishers which use a heavier than air gas to smother the flames. They are a bit harder to find in smaller sizes than the less expensive and common powder type but perhaps worth the expense and effort when trying to minimize damage to rare and hard to replace or repair autos.

Fire Fight Products is one manufacturer of clean agent extinguishers geared toward old cars. You can see their offerings and read a description of the heavy gas operation on their site under the clean agent extinguisher typefirefightproducts.com There are also other brands. Amazon carries a few different brand halon gas based extinguishers but not necessarily the same gas formulations are used in all brands.

Whitney,

You might also have a look at this recent thread on the AACA Forums.

And......introduce your Dad to PackardInfo, I'm sure he'll enjoy it!