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

...does somebody know or has a picture (maybe factory one) who shows the "spanish" leather at the seats. The style at the 1924 SPORT has to be plain .. not plaited. I need to know if there is any seam in the middle of the seat and backrest or piping arround the edge.

Karl,
I have looked through all available information and cannot answer your question however I have confirmed that the 136 Sport did have plain seats and it was the only open car of that series with plain seats the other open cars had pleats.
As you probably know the later 1929 cars had plain leather for the open big eight cars and pleats for the standard eights and there was a piping strip down the middle of the plain seats.
I would suggest that if you do not get an answer on this site, you write to the two Packard clubs in US seeking contact with anyone with an original 136 Sport, or a 236 which i think would be the same.
When I first got my 126 Sport (which has pleated seats) in 1976 I wrote to these clubs seeking information and as a result was contacted by an extremely helpful man with a Sport and we are still friends to this day.

Roy Morgenough (spelling??) from Michigan, and Steve Babinksky of New Jersey, both own original examples.

Here's Roy's car, just a glimse of the upholstery but the best I have. You can enlarge the photo for a little more detail. I believe the proper spelling of Roy's last name is Morganeau. Other than the wheels I believe this car is quite authentic and correct. I see the Babinsky car several times a year and could take some pictures for you next time I'm there (probably in 2 weeks or so).

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David, thank you for informations.I?ll PM you.
Dave, would be great if you could make pictures next time you meet your friend with the 136 sport car. And maybe they have any other pics or maybe brochures where I can see details for this seats. I?ve got to rebuild the whole seat cushions include frames(springs) because ... there was only a big block of foam covered in leather at the seats and backrest. Means.. I?ve a lot to do before I can start the leathercover ...so I?m not in hurry.

Carl,

DavidM knows the car in the pic's I'm posting here and would probably be able to advise whether the interior is original or not. Have more pic's of the exterior of the car but only the ones posted of the interior.

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Yes I know that car well and it was the first car I thought of regarding Karl's question. It is a 136 Sport and it is largely unrestored. The owner passed away some time ago' The car is in storage and the seats have been recovered in what looks like vinyl. It is possible that remnants of the original are under the vinyl but I don't think the family would allow me to remove the covers to check. I think the above US cars will be a better source for the information Karl needs

David,

Thanks for the insights about Sam's 136.

Carl, I took a look at the original upholstery in Steve Babinsky's 1-36 Sport; seating surfaces and back are single pieces, no seams, no pleats, smooth-finish black leather. I took a few pictures for you, Steve wasn't there and I was reluctant to move anything on the seats for clearer pictures. But I'll be back there again in a few weeks if you need other photos.

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Dave, thanks a lot. First pictures I can see the whole seats and backrest. All Informations I need are in the Pics. Together with my other pictures I can reconstruct the seat covers. But.. I?m not realy happy with this plain leather in one piece over the whole seat and backrest. After a short time you?ll have wrinkles all over the seat. And .. in my opinion.. it looks cheap. To stay near the original I?ll modify it just a little bit. Maybe simmilar to the seat I made for a Buick which I upholstered for Pebble Beach 15 years ago.

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