Packard Forum Index » Pre-War (1899-1942)

Hi everyone,

I recently acquired a second CASCO 650 cigar lighter for my 1929 Seven Passenger Sedan. I have one, but this new one looked to be in better condition online and the price was right. Sure enough, when I received it, it was in better condition...including the engraving on the case! My original (or what I think is the correct original) has no engraving...Does anyone have a thought about which might be the correct lighter. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

John W

Attach file:

---

  (90.83 KB)

Hi again everyone,

As is rarely the case, I had the luxury of calling the original manufacturer on my question about which CASCO lighter to use in my car. Yup, they are still in business in Bridgeport, Connecticut. I spoke to a very kind gentleman named Ray Piperman(sp?) who informed me that they experienced a fire about 7 years ago and many of their records were destroyed. As such, Ray could not provide documentation as to which case was the correct one for my car. Ray did mention that CASCO would most likely have engraved anything that was from their factory...which I guess answers my question as best as it can be answered.

As a daily cigar afiicinado I have to say im impressed jelous and glad to see you have two.

Thanks. I am really trying to do a correct restoration on this car. We'll see if I can hold out. What has me curious after the comment from the guy at CASCO about engraving their products is where the "unengraved" lighter came from. I know it has been with the car since I was a kid...I grew up with the car. I also know that all sorts of things on these old cars are engraved...I am currently paying lots of money to have engraving re-done on everything from instrument tags to tail lights!

I am wondering if my un-engraved lighter is a later version or an early example of an aftermarket part? I guess these things occasionally broke or got displaced. My dad and grandfather were both auto mechanics, in addition to being packrats, so if anyone would have the possibility of "picking up a spare", it would have been them. Does anyone out there have any knowledge of the late 20's aftermarket car parts world? Sometimes this project drives me nuts!

The 3 "cats eye" lighters on my 34 are almost certainly original to the car and have no visible engraving or stamping of the maker's name, though if I diassembled them it might appear on some interior surface.

Attach file:

---

  (37.71 KB)

Thanks for the input. I could probably drive myself crazy trying to figure out which one is correct. I am going to have the engraved one restored and just satisfy myself by assuming that there were multiple styles out there and any of them would work...in the absence of an authority who can state with certainty which one is correct. Thanks for taking the time to read my post.

John W

Dear jwogec,

I wouldn't stress about which unit is more Packard. However, they did use a special wire in those things so they would recoil. It was as flexible as string. So you need to go to a show and ask to look at one.

Since I don't smoke I have no idea of how much amperage they consume and I only made sure the unit made the ammeter move when pulled out. Then disconnected it.

The late Billy Lester was a big cigar fan and smoked in his PIII Rolls upholstered with Bill Hirsch's Bridge of Weir leather. We always got a big kick out of that and what would happen if anybody stuck their head inside the car to smell that expensive Scottish leather.

I occasionally use the cigar lighter in the 34 Packard. Based on the ammeter deflection it draws at least 20 amps, maybe a bit more.

Hi Tim,

Really good point about the heating element. I was lucky enough to find a NOS lighter element a few months back. Crazy...it came in a little tiny cardboard box. I will post a picture. The wire is exactly as you describe...very flexible...I can't imagine trying to reproduce it. The next challenge is rewinding the spring and seeing if I can get these things to fire up (pun intended). Does anyone have any experience or advice on that process?

I have to laugh about the cigar smoke comment. My dad used to tell stories about how my grandfather would drive this car around while smoking a big cigar...I remember the smell of cigar smoke inside the car as a kid...and the permanent effect it had on the mohair interior!

Hi everyone,

As promised, here is a photo of the replacement NOS heating element for the CASCO 6 volt cigar lighter.

John W

Attach file:

---

  (104.03 KB)