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

I have recently run across the name Charlie Last relative to V12 engine work. The information I have is back in the 80's.

Does anyone have any information, like where his shop was and any pictures?

Thanks

Bill

Charlie was in the LA, Cal. area. Was the v12 guy in So Cal. Guessing he went to the PACKARD FACTORY in the Sky 30 years back. If i remember he got his training from working at a PACKARD Dealer.

LONG TIME AGO

Yes he been gone awhile. He would put a Chrysler bearing on the rod. And weld side clearance on it.

My dad didn't care for that set up.

As far as bearing work. The guy doing it for max. Burned himself so that's up in the air.

Unless max found someone.

There is a shop in national city .ca. That has a babbit set up.

Steve Babinsky's shop in NJ routinely does Packard Twelves.

Good Morning...You might also speak with Custom Auto in Santa Ana, California...Robert Escalante...714-543-2980. They have repaired/restored nothing but Packards for 40 or more years. Ernie in Arizona

Clayton restoration in castle rock, Colorado does them as well.
claytonrestorations.com/

Thanks for all the helpful suggestions.

What I am trying to do is trace back to someone that might have worked on my car in the 70's or 80's and Charlie was in that area.

When I got my car I was told it was owned by someone in the LA area that specialized in Packard Twelves.

The last owner I can trace said that the car had aluminum heads when he had it ('72) and was the reason he sold it (leaks). It came to me with cast iron heads. Also it appeared to have very few miles on a rebuild, so I was attempting to see if there may be a connection.

Ernie, Robert may be a possible source of info, thanks for the contact info.

Owen and BDC, I will keep those contacts, thanks for sending them.

Packardberry, that is kind of what I am looking for. Just trying to piece together the Packard Twelve scene of the 70's and 80's. The car went in a black hole in '72 and reemerged missing its roof and gaining cast iron heads.

Riki, I debated on doing the insert conversion on my Pierce Arrow 8's, but decided to go with the original Babbitt. I have seen some of those conversions and they were underwhelming. They were Chrysler slant sic bearings, if I remember correctly.

Thanks again to everyone. I am waiting for one main bearing and I will be ready to put it back together