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I'd try to find an Upholstery forum as there could be someone on there that may know a source or has access to some old stock/tools.

On the wiring, any reason not to just a complete harness, from Rhode Island wiring or similar? I think Kev had good luck with another company as well.

For individual wire, I recommend Brillman.

EDIT: Ken_P - it Just hit me that you may have been responding to my question about a source for the cotton covered wire and not about the tail light issue…..To answer that, some of the wiring is not part of the wiring harness. For instance, the wiring from the map/instrument light switch to the bulbs and to the clock. Also, the wiring to the dome light switches and dome lights as well as cigar lighters are not part of the wiring harness. I’ve done a little more research and I will likely go with 10 gauge wire for the cigar lighters. That is rated to 30 amps and the fuse associated with the cigar lights is 25amps. Packard likely used 8 gauge wire as over kill as it is rated at 40 amps. I have found sources for the wire now as well. I just need to figure out how much I need and than add 20% to it for cushion.


I have a new harness in it. The issue is not with the harness. I suspect that issues is with the main headlight switch. I know the thermostatic relay is off as well.

I may need to either replace it with one that has been rebuilt or get mine rebuilt. I need to do a little more research first.

One thing I’m going to try (hopefully tomorrow) is to bypass the main headlight switch and feed power directly to the tail light/map/reading light circuit. Then, operate the map/instrument light switch. If the tail lights don’t dim, that will indicate a problem in the main headlight switch.

2-piece Oval buttons for senior cars can be purchased from straight 8:straight-eight.com/product/upholstery-button/

Check the aspect ratio and there aren’t bargains out there.

Nobody makes the press dies. I’m making a hardwood routed set to roll the edge of the outer lip in…manual, not a press.

I also bought steel rule dies to cut the fabric ovals before pressing the button halves together.

PM me about further procedural info.

You will also need wire-on in your chosen fabric. There’s only a couple people doing that.

I still have that roll of heavy tan broadcloth you saw at Hershey.

Btw: I buy my braided wire stock from Brillman though RI wiring sells it also. I think I saw a headlight switch on EBay from Packard Seattle