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Normally I'm with you on that one Hank, but I wanted a better than usual job done on these - in particular the taper on the leaf ends and using as much original Packard steel as possible. I haven't seen the results yet, but I am hoping they took their time for good reason.

So far as paying upfront, they get nothing until the job is done - as is the normal way of it in this part of the world.

Well, it has been far too long since I last updated the project blog, but as ever it seems that life keeps getting in the way of my hobbies. A recent promotion at work has seen the workload increase significantly and it seems my regular 3 day weekend is now back to the standard 2 days... bummer!

Things haven't been totally at a standstill though. I have the '34 wheels back now after asking a guy at work to give them a quick coat of paint. I will probably get them powder coated at a later date, but it is enough to stop them from rusting and get an idea of how they will look in that lovely deep 'packard' blue. The colour used was just the basic Indigo Blue, not the real Packard colour, but I think it is pretty close. I don't think I would have a choice if they were powder coated, so happy with the colour I have.

Also I have finished re fixing the front cross tube in it's new position and have stripped down the front axle for a tidy up and paint. As the car will be a right hand drive I will need to modify the steering set up. The plan is to fabricate a new steering connection arm to the front right hub assembly, which will allow for the location of a new steering box and better geometry - especially given that the car will sit much lower than standard on flatter spring packs and with raised spring hanger points.

Other than that there have been some small purchases of bits and pieces. I am slowly putting together a nice colection of Stromberg 97 carbs and parts and I also bought a hood ornament or mascott from the US. It is only a repo unit, but I think it is fitting for this car.

Sadly, that is about all I have to write about, and the situation may not change again for a while. Our son and his partner are going away over Easter and we need to do some maintenance on their car and trailer before hand. Over Easter I am heading off to Wakefield Park Raceway to compete with our historic/classic racing club (check outgoldeneraautoracing.com/ ) and then I have promised the beautify wife that I will finally rebuild the back patio area which has been leaking since we moved in 6 years ago... no rest for the wicked they say!

Yours hexagonally,

Snapey

good luck in the racing and with the porch! i just built a swing set for my kiddo. i like working with wood as much as working on the Packard.

i would like to go see the vintage racing in California one day myself.

have fun!

Hank

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Snapey my friend, instaed of reading your almost apologetic comment on the repo I would be delighted to see it (right after clearing up the matter with the back patio area).

I will do my best to comply as soon as I am able Guscha!

Since our sons partner is also expecting our first grandchild in August I suspect that there are some very busy, non Packard related months ahead for all of us!

Just do me one favour though, if I start refering the the grandchild repeatedly in my project blog, please don't start calling me Mal! LOL

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A Packard speedster is a car reduced to the essential.



picture source: ebay 370531916143

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Nice, isn't it? That is the Vincent roadster which at one time carried a supercharged straight eight senior engine which used some type of hydraulic clutch unit to drive the blower. Vincent also developed a twin overhead cam S8 engine and it is thought by some that this would have also run in this car as it was essentially his prefered test/'toy' vehicle.

I've posted this picture (source unknown) before, but perhaps this is a better place for it. Supercharged 6th series motor.

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That's the one - the same photo appears on page 66 of Mr Neals book, Packards at Speed, along with a very good outline of the development and use of the Speedster car and the roll it played in the development of both the 626 and 734 speedster models. O_D, your photo is the same one but obviously comes from a different source, as it is cropped differently.

I've also seen a recent Youtube video of the car being 'taken for a run' on the steets around the Packard Museum, Dayton, Ohio in which it now resides by the 'host' of some TV or online show. I had a look but could only find this video...
youtube.com/watch?v=K7aFMB70AE0