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Hank:

That looks pretty nice to me. I was just worried after reading Ross' comment about the fabric. Once you complete your restoration, you will have a 100-point car. Some folks are reluctant to drive them arouind for fear of the uncertainties of roads and parking lots, which is pretty understandable considering the amount of time, energy, and money expended to achieve this accomplishment. Out of curiosity, how much of the fabric did you have to buy to cover the seats?

oh i didn't buy it yet. i leave the amount to whoever does the interior work. i have no idea how much it will take, but it wont be cheap.

Hank

Quote:

Are you sure the stars were woven in and not printed on? The '55 Clipper I am familiar with, although not a Constellation, sported the stars on the blue fabric. I believe they were just a darker blue than the rest of the fabric, and printed on. This might make a repro a bit less expensive.

If you post a pic of the piece of original fabric, some sharp-eyed fabric guy can probably tell if they're sewn or printed... I'm not an expert!

The stars appear to be woven into the fabric.
The sample I rec'd is just a nice!

Hank, I read (on SMS site?) that they make the cloth themselves (or have it made) and from what I have heard, it is of high quality. Another Packard owner has got samples from a few companies and reckons SMS is better / best.

Got to say though that you may have to 'camp on SMS's doorstep' to get anything from them. People have waited a very long time for their order to be fulfilled . . .

I say this because it would be great to see SMS lift their act! I want to use them, but have serious reservations due to the horrific delays for orders. (See other posts also). Possibly a different scenario if you just want the 'raw' materials (- pardon the pun!).

Hank:

For purposes of comparison, if nothing else, I think you should contact Original Auto Interiors. They claim to sell New Old Stock fabrics. I sent them an inquiry bur I still have not heard back from them. This is the website:

http://originalauto.com/products/n-o-s-original-seat-cloth-vinyl

Their telephone number is 1-586-727-2486. You might give them a call, since they are not prompt in getting back via e-mail. If they are as good as their site implies, they might have the original NOS material you are seeking; not printed new material that looks like the original. Besides, at the price SMS is asking, you should definitely get a second opionion.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Hank. All the best to your fine family.

Craig

I've never asked the folks at SMS but I have purchased fabric and vinyl there several times for my AMCs. Most of their stuff is indeed NOS material that has been stored properly for years.

I have also purchased materials from Original Auto interiors for the same AMC family of cars. Both firms have good customer service and if you are requesting something that is in stock you'll get it right away.

Typically prices have run about $80 a yard. Joe

The nylon brocade I bought from SMS some years back for my Caribbean was freshly manufactured by or for them. This was the reason for the long waiting period, until enough orders for a single material were on hand to justify a run. All you've got to do is pick up the phone and ask them if it's NOS (which some is) or new. From what they told me back then, most of the 55/56 Packard nylon fabrics are new manufacture.

thanks to everyone and happy holidays as well.

this material from SMS is not a print...it is woven, it is top notch quality work, even if it is reproduction. its not cheesy thing.

i started working on the generator finally. and i took JW's idea and hung my door from the wall. better there then collecting dust in the garage.

enjoy.

Hank

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Hank, nice job on the door. It is much better there than collecting dust and dirt in the garage. It cleaned up nicely.

Glad to see you continue to make progress on the Clipper.

On the drive end bushing, did you drill the bushing after installing it and replace the oiling wick? If not, the bushing and shaft will not receive any oil. However, some Oilite bushings require no lubrication.

On the front end bearing, is it a single shielded or double shielded bearing? If double shielded (sealed), then it should not be oiled.

Not much Packarding going on here. I need to get under the back of the 55 Clipper because it sound as if it is about to fall out of the car. Probably the tail pipe, but need to make sure what is causing the noise and fix it.

(o{}o)