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I finally received a UPS shipping notice from SMS Auto Upholstery for my carpet set.
I should receive it around the 12th. When I ordered it in May, I was told it would take about 12 weeks. It took 22 weeks.

I still do not have a front bumper. I know what Tuscan Packard is doing and I do appreciate it. They have a really good upper bumper piece but did not have a good lower portion of the bumper. So he is trying to locate a better lower piece to go with it.

I just wish they would communicate a little better. I have to reach out to them occasionally to remind them that I am still alive (and waiting), and they keep responding that it will be shipped later this week, but of course, it never shows up.

I will contact them again next week.

IDK how bad you need one but I am swapping the bumper and grille on my 55 400 for a 56 type.

Already a 56 engine in it so 🤷‍♂️

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

In my last post, I mentioned that my carpet from SMS had finally shipped. In reality, it was an email from UPS telling me a label had been created. That was on Nov 6. I got the real shipping email on Nov 19. It was shipped from El Paso, Tx. That tells me it was produced in Mexico for SMS.

I am not happy. It is the same cheap, thin carpet I got from the discount eBay seller but the pattern is almost entirely different. I have no idea what car it is for but it's not a 55 Packard. Notice the "slice" at the top of the SMS carpet.

PS, still no front bumper. They have told me four times now that "it will be shipped today/tomorrow". Thinking about trying to get a refund but I suspect it would never happen. Between the carpets and the bumper, I am currently out about $1100

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Yeah that carpet looks like some kind of $99 eBay special. If we can't count on SMS, I think I will have to find someone local or just figure out how to do it myself for my 400.

I wonder if the Studebaker museum or the Proving Grounds have the drawings... though just making full size templates from the existing carpet would not be terribly difficult. Except that most people's carpet is very ratty.

Stewart,

You may be interested in this post here. It is the carpet pattern for a 55 Panama. The rear and footrest sections are typical of a 55 400, the main dimensional difference being that the rear carpet is longer front to back.

Don't hold your breath but at some point I will be pulling the original carpet from a 400 and recording those dimensions as well. Note that the senior car carpet has two different front sections: the main section, and the firewall.

At some point I will be making a set of carpet for my 400 and if you would like, I can also make you a set at reasonable cost. I can absolutely assure you it will be to your satisfaction if so, but I don't know when that will happen. I am still hunting for materials. Another option would be to buy a Charcoal Gray set from Neal Porter, then bleach it and dye it brown.

For now, if you take the front SMS piece, and the rear eBay piece, that will get you pretty close.

It is getting harder for me to get into my shop and get any work done lately Nearly 25 years ago I received a kidney transplant and it is to the point now that we are working toward a second transplant if a donor is found. It could be months or could be years. Just telling you this because everything has slowed way down for me.

I worked with SMS and the company that cut the carpet. He is in Texas, not Mexico as I assumed before. I am still not happy with the quality of the carpet but I am going to make a go at it. As suggested above I am going to use the front from SMS and the back from the eBay seller.

I have given up on Tuscan Packard and my front bumper. I have asked for a refund but they are not responding. Next week I will start calling them. I have been more than patient with them. They may have a legitimate excuse, but they could have provided me with honest updates. 4 times they told me it was shipped or shipping that day. I understand Mike has been ill but that is all I know. I believe his son is running the shop now.

Wow, less than 1 minute after posting that last post I received a text from Tuscan Packard with a photo of a UPS tracking label.

I will keep you posted.

Today I visited a forum member and saw his copper 56 400. He had redone, on his own, the carpet with the 80/20 Copper loop from here:
automotiveinteriors.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=23327

While not the exact same as the original type of pile, it is similar enough to pass for most people, and is more authentic than a standard loop, cut, or Daytona carpet, in a Senior car.

The price is affordable at 50/yd, about $2.65 per sq. ft. In comparison, a more authentic looking carpet I am eyeing is an eye-watering $10 per sq. ft.

I will probably be ordering some samples soon for my own car.

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I am rarely on the V8 forum, but noted this discussion. Exactly why Pinfo is such a valuable resource. William - might you either reference the carpet in the cross reference listing, or do a litle cut/paste for a separate discussion that might come up with a simple search for 55-56 carpet ....

Back to my prewar home...

DAF

David,

Thanks for your interest. Perhaps you saw this post? I plan to dump more info there as it becomes available.

packardinfo.com/xoops/html/modules/newbb ... c.php?topic_id=29045&post_id=279870

At some point I can add to the X ref. However, one may note that writing the part numbers in the post, makes them referenceable through a site search. Same reason I will at times post photos of certain parts with the photo name being mostly just the part number.

If I add to the X ref it will probably just be a link to the post.