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Besides the instrument lights, there are a set of map lights on either side the control panel (see the 2 openings above the headlight switch, starter button, lighter, key, "cruise control" hand throttle) that come on if you twist the panel light control all the way to the right (the knob where the red overdrive light is). There's a light in the glove box attached to the clock. But I like your idea, Something in the back would be good, too.

Check out the Controls and Instruments section of the Owners Manual.

packardinfo.com/xoops/html/downloads/1940Packard160and180OwnersManual.pdf

Thanks. I have to fix the glove box light. We are about to reinstall the clock as well so that will be an opportunity to correct the lights there as well.

If you can fix it, please document what you did.
I tried to fix mine and couldn't.
The light works fine. The bulb lights when grounded in the clock holder for it, but it doesn't shut off. It's supposed to light when you open the glovebox door and go off when you close it. It has some beads inside and I tried to used some from a chair. Either I have too many in the cup (you can see them in the cup in this picture) and the light stays on all the time. Or too few, and it doesn't light at all.

I opened it up maybe 30 years ago and somewhere lots the ball bearings. I think they were corroded. But I should really buy some tiny ball bearings and see if I can get it to work again.

GLOVEBOX LIGHT: Got it to work with a combination of those tiny chain beads and the smallest ball bearings I could find at Ace Hardware. Trial and error, not much fun opening the fixture over and over, but the cup is about one-third full. Open the door, the light comes on. Close the door it goes off. Awesome.

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It originally had just one ball bearing. Did you try a larger ball?

Really? I will try that. I have a 5/16th that might fit in there. The reason I used lots of little ones because when I first opened it up in like 1975, a bunch of buckshot went flying all over the work bench. I put back as many as I could. At least that's what I remember. Memory "may" be failing me, however, when I decided to make it work, I used those beads and some ball bearings.

But I will try 1 ball bearing and edit this response.

Thanks, West.

GLOVE BOX LIGHT: For the glove box light, 5/16th ball bearing is too large, so getting a 1/4" and 3/16th to try. Since it worked with tiny buckshot size ball bearings, I'll keep those.

TRAVEL COMPANION: 130# Rottweiler Sophie took her first ride in the Duchess last night. The condition: she had to wear protective boots. At first she walked on them on her tip toes, more like a Doberman, but soon she was comfortable in them, if it meant she could go for a ride. She did not try to pull them off as I thought she might. She did ask if the reflector stripes were really necessary.

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nice i'll have to remember these for my boxers!

I need to remember those for my kids!

Wow! Just saw this thread. Very cool. I like your attitude about driving it, too. I think that's the way to go. Great job!

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Glad you got it to work. Many of them won't. I had heard they're very hard to make to work, so you may have found the secret?