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

Just to clarify for us youngsters:



Americana refers to artifacts, or a collection of artifacts, related to the history, geography, folklore and cultural heritage of the United States.


Not the Offspring cd, although it did fricken rock, I love that album.

The offspring cd of that name did rock, but I prefer Smash...

Thanks for all the stories, I appreciate hearing that I'm not the only "youngster" out there digging Packards.

Any thoughts on questions 2 or 4?

... oh... And when I say working on buying a Packard, that mostly means working on convincing my wife.

2) Yes, they look like the trim pieces.

3) You shouldn't have much trouble with the floor if you have enough left for a pattern.

Ken,
I wish you luck in your pusuit of the car. We are all jealous of your last name.

I own a 39 Six Sedan and was 29 when I bought it and am 42 now. Old car disease doesn't discriminate by age. Many people my age seem to lean toward the 60s muscle car and wonder why I have an 30's car that hasn't been rodded with all the shiny horsepower. To each his own.

I must admit I have enjoyed the restoration of my 39. One could debate that I started with a car that fell off the truck on its way to the scrap yard; it was much worse than what yours appears. I also enjoy learning about, repairing and maintaining the mechanicals of the car. Most of all, I enjoy driving it and spending time with those that share the disease.

Perhaps you are not new to the old car hobby; but, to keep your expectations in check, you'll need to accept the limitations of 80 year old technology: Reliability requires attention to your car, safety requires defensive driving, parts searches can be journeys and there is always cost. I have seen guys buy an old car and only then learn they are not driving a jackrabbit modern car. Or, they tear into the project, life happens and years later they sell off the project and parts in frustration.

One of the best ways to avoid the frustration is to get involved with the network of those car lovers, attend shows and find ways to get a ride in the old iron, and start the learning. While I was bringing my car back to life, I was still able to spend time with others and their cars. Its a great hobby.

Everyone here wants you to succeed and enjoy. You'll find help here.

Pat

Ken,
Forgot to mention: I seem to recall some repro floor pans on ebay, hopefully for your car. Don't underestimate your owns skills with the welder. Sounds like you've got em.

I understand the wife convincing thing, you gotta both be happy.

PM

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You're only 42??? I thought you were a lot older than that!!

39Six-

When I was in college, I bought a POS 1953 Willys Wagon with a Chevy 265 V8 that didn't run well enough to go home. After I boiled the tank and got a new carb and drove it on the temp tags for three months, I found out that the crook who sold it to me didn't have the right title, so I went a little crazy- Chevy drive train, 1 ton axles, and huge tires. It was a lot of fun, but the project got sidelined because I was tired of a 2 week fab job everytime a little widget broke and it was too extreme to do much except go offroad.

All that being said, I'm pretty excited to have a stock car that I can drive- the Willys wagon drove great stock for a few months, but I was always thinking about what it wouldn't drive over with those little tires. The Packard I can leave stock and just enjoy- nothing to drive over, and the body is a LOT better- the Willys is mostly held together with rust and bondo.

According to the owner, and a guy who looked at it a few years back, the car is pretty rust free. I think the floor boards will be fine, based on that, but it looks like the running boards aren't. I guess my question wasn't very clear. Perhaps it should read: are replacement panels for running boards easy to come by, or are they simple enough in design to make welding in sheet metal of the proper gauge a reasonable proposition.

Thanks to all for the wealth of info- I should know within a few weeks if this beauty will be mine.

If that's the one he wants $4000 for and it runs it's a steal.

I've got the hardest part done- my wife now thinks we should get it.

Hopefully the price hasn't changed, should know by Friday. I just got orders back stateside, and I'll be able to pick the car up in early March, just in time to get it running and cruising in the summer.

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Hank, sorry no sympathy here. I think everyone should own a 115C. Seriously though, sometimes it takes a long time. I was 66 when I finally got one. Patience.

(o{I}o)