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I agree with West’s assessment! The pontoon fenders and no running boards are what really set it off from any others. Otherwise why not just get one not already modified?

Marks vision for this car was always to be a "jalopy". So a bit of mismatched parts, the Jag motor and the modifications to the fenders. It was never intended to be painted or really metal finished. Or even have a top.

This car came from Calif as a partially stripped parts car.

The metal work on the car was farmed out by Mark to someone else. While it's neat, and suitable for a "jalopy" look, it not done to a point where it could be painted without 100s of hours of more work into the shaping and getting it all dialed in properly. Which is beyond my abilities or budget.

Also the inner rockers are rotten. As is the body behind the b-pillar. So at a minimum all that has to be pulled apart to repair.

Also we have the door clearance issues.

So that's where his vision and my reality diverge. So where does that really leave me?

The Jag motor is staying, and there was some really good engineering done by Mark there.

But, in the end, while it will be neat to drive it for a few years in patina. The can needs to be stabilzed, rust repaired and eventually painted.

But as it sits, it needs way more work than budget will ever allow. And swapping back original fenders is the shortest and budget allowing path to getting a stabilized car that could eventually get into paint.

Perhaps there is a middle ground with creating a more sympathetic running board delete look as was done with the later cars. But at present, not sure what that is.

Good thought process, and I tend to agree with you. Budget and time are not unlimited.

For what it's worth, I like the look of running boards. Maybe it's because I'm from a younger generation and I hardly ever saw any cars with running boards growing up. To me, they show the elegance of a time long past.

-Kevin

I was with my brother years ago when he 1st got his Model A. We got stopped by the police on the way back home and the cop told us he had just never stopped a car he could rest his foot on the running board! Looked the car over and gave us a coupon for a local eatery. Great fun!
Bob J.

At the end of the day, it's all about getting the car back on the road for the long term vs it being parted out further or scrapped. That's why I got into the project.

Similar to my '54, I am starting with a car that needs a lot of work, and years of sweat equity. A car that, frankly, most folks would have passed on due to the work, time, and expense involved. Buying a "better", more correct car is not really an option as the convertibles are fairly expensive, even in poor shape, and then all the same things still have to be done.

I found the running boards caused awkward entry and exit. The boards are wide and the top is low. This made for difficult in and out. Personally, I think these prewar cars without running boards are much more attractive. Just my two cents...

Maybe you could figure out how to rig a slide or fold out mechanism like they use in some of the late model pickups and have it carry the running board. Disguise the step that is part of the mechanism or figure out how to mount a real Packard item in its place.

Your wife would get her running board and be happy, those who like the board less look could close their eyes while it is out and pretend it is not present when it's not out so they would be happy. A win for everyone. 😀

The reason 37 didn't have a running board delete option is due to the shape of the fender. It comes back to a square edge. So without a running board there, it's looks really odd.

This is why Mark had the fenders extended. But sadly a bit too much, as now we have the door issue. I'm sure there is a way to rework it, but that would take some serious metal working abilities which is beyond my skill set.

So I'm left with going back to normal fenders, which also means I then need running boards.

It's a bit of a catch 22. But I have to do what is realistic with my budget.

Anyway I think we've beat this horse to glue.

Does anyone have a picture of a 37 trimmed in the Tan leather option.

Also, in the 35-41 Parts Book, Groupon 30, the first couple of pages, they list paint and interior schemes. But they do not list what leather colors are available with scheme J, Almond Green.

Tim the tool man style

20 pound sledge and bound it down till it fits.