Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

Oh there are tons of housings out there. I'm surprised you could possibly have one missing unless there was damage to the body in that area.

How good is the chrome? I have spare housings as well but the chrome is old.

The chrome trim and the little emblem that I guess goes around the lock are with the car. The emblem is new and the chrome is fair but not broken at all. I seem to have everything except the latch mechanism and lock. I am not trying to do a full out restoration at this point just make a nice driver quality car. The body has already been done, and it seems it was done properly. The complete interior has also been re-upholstered. Seats are very nice and new carpet are installed. The headliner and door panels are not installed but are also redone and ready to be put in. It does run and drive, but the fuel pump is leaking, and I have not had time to look at it yet. I just got the car 2 days ago and went thru all the parts. I have a lot of what seems to be NOS parts including all new outside door handles. From what I can tell so far, I have all of the trim, and I believe all new clips and fasteners for the trim and the interior. The engine is the 327 and it has the Ultramatic 2 speed trans which seems to be operating properly. Keep in mind I have never owned a Packard, but I have had a bunch of hot rods over the years. I have no clue what this is even worth to be honest, but I got it on a trade deal for a truck I did not have a lot of money in. I will post some more pictures but for now this is the only picture I have on my computer. Any advice or help with this would be greatly appreciated.

Sorry I described the trunk trim. The right-side taillight metal housing is a little rough and I would be good with ones that are the same for now.

Just trying to make it road worthy and as complete as I possibly can.

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The list of things I haven't worked on on my 53 Cavalier is shorter that the list of things I have worked on! If you have any questions, let me know.

Fuel pump rebuild kits are available, and not too complicated to do.

These cars are well made and simple, which makes them fun to work on.

My car is not getting a full restoration either, it's a driver as well. I'm keeping everything that has survived as long as it is functional and reasonably presentable.

Quote:

I think I got lucky on this trade deal all of the difficult and most costly work is already done. So far, the only issues keeping me from driving on the road is installing the lights, fixing the fuel pump and getting a trunk latch so it stays shut. I did drive it for a short distance on a dirt back road before making the deal, but I did not want to go far with the fuel leak. It seems to drive great so looking forward to gathering what I need even if the chrome is a little rough or whatever. I will ad some more detailed pictures very soon.

Where is the fuel leaking from? Maybe the vent indicated in the picture below? If so, a bad diaphragm would be my guess. Diaphragms can fail prematurely if the pump isn't assembled correctly. Or do you just have a loose fitting?

I rebuilt my fuel pump, and carburetor, this past summer, and my car runs better than ever!

There are insulators that are likely missing. If they are you'll want to replace those if you have your pump off to help keep your fuel pump cooler.

Then And Now Automotive sells kits for every possible fuel pump pretty much.

G'day wvsanta,
to PackardInfo.

I invite you to include your '53 Clipper Deluxe in PackardInfo's Packard Vehicle Registry.

53 Cavalier
I have not had a chance to look at the fuel pump yet. The leak is bad enough it left a trail on the dirt road I test drove it on, but I have not tried to start it since I got it to my house.

Pgh Ultramatic
Thank you I will look them up because I need to fix that problem first

Ozstatman
Thank you and I did search that by my VIN and it showed no results, so I do plan to add mine

Here are some more pictures that I took when I got the car home

Better fuel leaking out than into your crankcase. If you think it might have it would be a good time for an oil change.

Someone has done some creative fender work on your car. This is a fender off a 53 Clipper, with the skirt.




Looks like your car been converted to 12 volt?

The front seat looks good, it's a bonus to have the upholstery work done.

After some cleaning and reassembly you should have a fun car to drive!

It'll be like putting a jigsaw puzzle together without the picture!

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Yes, it has been converted to 12 volt.

This is the whole story I was told but have not verified yet.

Car was bought new in Cumberland Maryland by a Autopart's store for making local deliveries. When they sold it someone in Keyser West Virginia purchased it and started restoring it as a father and son project. The father passed away before it was completed. Two years ago, the son sold it to the guy I purchased it from and the only thing he did was get it back to running and driving.

From what I can tell so far, all of the trim is in the trunk and looks to be in fairly good condition. The hood ornament is in the car and is pitted but not broken. The rear fender skirts are in the car and seem to be solid. All of the new interior parts are there just need installed (door panels and head liner). Seats and carpet are re done and installed already. Came with all new emblems and exterior door handles. Engine and transmission are supposed to have been rebuilt, and it runs and looks like that is true. The body has had work but from what I can tell so far it was done with new meatal not fiberglass and Bondo. I was told the factory radio was rebuilt to work on the 12-volt conversion and when you turn it on the electric antenna does work and it appears to be new as well. The dial light on the radio does come on but there is no sound. That said I have not looked to see if there is a speaker. The brake system is functioning as it should and does not appear to have any leaks. There are new tires on it as well as a new spare tire in the trunk.

As of earlier today what I know for sure I don't have is the trunk latch and lock, the driver's side taillight metal housing and the headlight buckets that the bulb mounts in.

I have also not figured out how to get the front seat to move forward and back.

My first goal is to get it roadworthy. Not worried about paint or trim just yet. The paint on it right now is a flat black but it is paint not black primer.

The short list Fuel pump, lights, get the front seat to move so I can drive it enough to see if it is as good as I believe it will be.

Long term goal is to make it a reliable driver quality car to ride in and have fun with the wife and grandchildren.