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I am pleased to report that the spring is now installed! I can feel it pulling the handle back to horizontal after it is twisted to the left. I also cleaned the toggle mechanism and lubricated it with PB Blaster. Now the handle does stay out when pulled, but most times it will retract if you hit the handle with your palm without twisting the handle to the left. I'll be rechecking and adjusting the system as part of a spring checkup.

Big Kev, if you're looking to get that spring, I found it at Kanter's. It wasn't cheap at $25.00, but it is NOS and showed no signs of ever being used. The rep. at Kanter told me they hadn't sold one since 1992, so it's certainly not a fast-selling item for them. It is a stiff little spring; I couldn't extend, bend or twist it using just my fingers. I doubt you could find a spring at an auto supply or hardware store that would perform its function.

Thanks to everyone who responded, attached files, and shared their expertise. Is Packard Info a great community or what?

Is this the spring you are referring to? I needed one about 3 years ago and got it from one of the lesser-knowwn Packard vendors for $5.00 and thought I should record the details should anyone ever need to have any made.

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Looks like I'm a little late to the party, but I already took the picture so I'm going to post it anyway. Here are the springs on the assembly installed on a car.

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The '51 200 photo is very interesting. This 24th series car has the rare first design toggle that the bulletin that Howard posted refers to. Compare this photo with Fig. 1 of Howard's bulletin to see how much they changed it around.

Owen, that is the exact spring involved. You got a real deal on that spring, more like what I was thinking. Nice to see the complete specs on that spring.

Thank you both for adding to this repository of information on Packard's toggle to handle spring.

to Don for persevering, after encountering problems, and including his '54 Convertible Coupe in the Packard Owner's Registry.