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

I've been looking through the Parts List, and there doesn't appear to be enough description to ID these three parts. I need the part numbers to locate the blueprints for these parts.

Looking through some of the Service Letters, it appears the trunk and this bracket were part of a general tunk rack "assembly" part number.

If we can figure this out, it's possible we may be able to get a run of these made. I know most of them have disappeared long ago.

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As the junior an senior trunk racks and hardware are quite different, so I suspect the tilting trunk rack assembly is also different. Nevertheless you might contact Gunther Hoyt down in VA (contact info in the PAC directory), some years back he had parts made to install one on his 1937 Super 8 and may have gathered some info on the junior variant. Also not sure if his as installed on his senior is based on a factory accessory or some aftermarket kit.

A pix of his and one from the original patent attached.

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Dave, thanks. I've never seen the "tilt-back" mechanism in any factory documentation. So wonder if that was something he came up with or the idea was copied from a different manufacturer. But I can try to reach out to him.

Here is the info about it from a 1935 Service Letter.

Also, it is again described in the 1937 Accessories Brochure using the same picture.

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Doesn't look like there is any kind of spring assist. If the trunk was packed that must have been a fairly large weight to lift or to hold up and keep from dropping when laid down again.

The brace you see has a "T" on the lower end that fits between the bars in the rack. So it is just a stop to keep the trunk from flopping too far to the right. But I don't believe there was any positive lock to keep it from coming back the other way if not parked on level ground or a strong wind was blowing right to left. No spring assist. The bar on the other side of the luggage trunk (part C) acts as a spacer/foot, and accepts a threaded knob from the underside to lock it down in the closed position.

I'm sure the trunks were mostly for clothing and such, not gold bar transport. So not sure how heavy it would have been.

Wonder if there is someway or somewhere to hide a gas spring or maybe torsion springs. Downside to springs is if there is no trunk weight, springs might be too strong and cause issues in closing or holding the plate while screwing it closed.

I think that mostly the days, those trunks are pretty much empty and are just there as car shown pieces.

Not sure I would want an over loaded heavy trunk hanging out that far over the rear of car.

I really think the rack looks better folded up anyway as that is where are the shinny bits are.

Here’s the rest of the patent application. A lot of parts not yet talked about.

dp

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Loading heavier items to the right side of the trunk would minimize the weight to be lifted and help stabilize the trunk when in the raised position.

For routine use, the idea was probably that the trunk would be loaded last and unloaded first, assuming access was not needed to the spare tire.

Of course, people of means would have lodged at establishments that provided porters to deal with luggage.

Speaking of porters and luggage handling, it looks like you are almost locked into the Packard style trunk with individual cases inside

The way it appears to be almost a permanent mount, doubt an ordinary trunk with hanging clothes or open space under a tray would work because that kind of trunk would need to come inside. Not only would everything shuffle when tilted it would need unloading in the parking lot just to be able to reach the mounting bolts.