Packard Forum Index » General

I just have to ask, what exactly is "Mianus wool"? It reminds me of an episode of Jacka$$ that I watched a while back.....

Doing a Google search, there was a Mianus Wool Co on the Mianus river close to Greenwich, Ct. It made wool blankets and felt and apparently burned down in April, 1938. Maybe that's where the label name comes from.

Interesting discussion!

When I got my 41 Clipper. the rope was missing but the hardware was there. I was surprised that the Clipper Parts Book called for a "robe rope." I expected it to be called a 'hand rope' of 'hand hold.'

I suspect that the names "robe' and 'robe rope' may predate the automobile back to "buggy days."

Oh, I made a home made rope to go between the brackets. Improves the looks of the back seat.

DanL

Someone on this website or elsewhere asked if Packard offered lap robes after the 30s. I was just glancing at the 1941 accessory list and see they were offered in upholstery broadcloth over plush wool for the 110 and 120 series at $32.50, same material but with the senior broadcloth for the 160 & 180 at $36.50, and the superior quality for the 160 & 180 at $55.00. I don't have a 1946 accessory catalog but I'd guess that as an accessory they probably were not longer offered after the war.

My 1946 Accessory catalogue does not show a lap robe.The 1946-1947 Deluxe Eight and Custom came equipped with a rope across the back of the front seat for a blanket. Curiously the Super Eight did not. When did Packard discontinue the rope?

Someone has already noted above the robe rails were continued right thru 1956 except for the Caribbeans. That may well be correct, I can't quite remember if the 1951 thru 1954 convertibles had them or not, but expect that someone will shortly enlighten us on that.

I think 1955 was the last year for the rope, as my '56 Patrician has a piece of steel covered in leather/fabric/plastic in place of the rope. I do seem to remember seeing a rope on a '55 Patrician, IIRC.

My '54 has a robe rope.

These lap robes are wonderful accessories for a classic car, I hunt for them all the time on line and in antique malls and such. I've collected 5. Four are Laidlaw motor robes, which was the brand sold by Packard, Lincoln and Cadillac. Here is one in our '40 180 Packard Super Eight Club Sedan.

Attach file:

---

  Lap Robe in Benson.jpeg (58.63 KB)

Here is an ad for the lap robes:

Attach file:

---

  laidlaw-motor-robes-evening-star-washington-dc-dec-11-1923.jpg (194.64 KB)