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

Apart from originality, is there a reason for the armored cable from the ignition switch to the coil on a 1937 120c Convertible coupe. I can easily make a replacement cable but am wondering what the reason is for the heavy armored cable. Thanks.

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G'day Bill,
First up, your first post, and to PackardInfo. I should defer to the acknowledged experts here but, my understanding is, the armoured cable is a security feature to safeguard the ignition from tampering. That said I invite you to include your Packard, presumably the 1937 120c Convertible coupe referred to above, in the Owner Registry together with a pic, any known history and how you acquired it.

but am wondering what the reason is for the heavy armored cable.

To deter hot-wiring (car theft).

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If the car has its original coil, the armored cable covers the power terminal to the coil. This makes connecting an alternate power source difficult. On old cars, with a separate "starter button" it worked independantly of the ignition switch, which only provided power to the coil. So, all that was necessary to start (steal) it was another power source to the coil ("hot wire"), then you just hit the starter. On most cars, you could also "hot wire" by jumping at the ignition switch. I believe the Packard "armor" prevents that also. For this reason, Ford provided a column lock as part of the ignition switch. You could start it by "hot wiring", but with a locked column, you couldn't drive it. I think Ford stopped that in '48.

Thanks for the speedy replies and valuable information.
(Have just put the car on the Owner Registry, will post "updates" when more complete.)

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G'day Bill,
for including your '37 in the Registry.

Are you a member of PACA(Packard Automobile Club of Australia)? PACA is having it's 13th Packard National Rally based at Mittagong in the NSW Southern Highlands later this month from 22nd to 28th March with about 45 Packards entered. If you're able, although it's short notice and with a distance factor of 1000 plus kilometers, like to see you there. Probably the best day would be the Show & Shine at Berrima on Wednesday 25th at which will be a Packard Only Swap Meet(The biggest, and only, Packard Swap Meet in the Southern Hemisphere)

EDIT - Distance corrected

The biggest, and only, Packard Swap Meet in the Southern Hemisphere

Surely the biggest and someday I hope to get there, but did you first check that claim of "only" with the Packard Clubs of Brazil and Argentina? Or is my geography askew?

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Dave,

No, I didn't, so very remiss of me.

And your geography is spot on!

This is our inaugural Packard Only Swap Meet and it's hoped will be a regular event at future Packard National Rallys here in Oz. Whether it is the biggest or only "Packard Only" swap meet event I don't really know as I wasn't aware of others which may be able to lay claim to such a title. If correction is warranted I'd bow to that, but at the same time look to building future events so that the title would not be in dispute.

Take plenty of pictures so we can see the "goings-on"!

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Dave,

I'm well known for my predelection for Packard photography even with varying results. And I'll certainly be your foreign correspondent at the Rally. I just don't know if there'll be enough hours in the day, coupled with the rally activities and my duties there, to enable me to make day by day reports and make pic's available but I'll do my best.