Progress, With More to Come
This Page will be dedicated to the progress that I am making on the
Packard. Everyone knows that Easter 98 was spent rewiring the Packard
for it's 6 volt electrical system to a new 12 system with the expert assistance
of my cousin, Bob, from Birmingham. Actually it was more me assisting
him. Well this year for Easter 99, Bob and I again got together for
some more fun, except this time it was in Birmingham. Our Easter
99 weekend found us pulling the complete drive train from underneath a 1971 Ford Thunderbird.
The T-Bird came with a 429 Super Cobra Jet pictured below.
In early 2000, I finally managed to get enough money and time to
make a little more progress. First Cousin Bob, my son Ralph, and myself
dismantled the front clip of the Packard. Then I took the Packard
minus engine and transmission to Larry Griffey's shop where all the metal
and suspension work was done. Including the transplant of the Ford
429/C6 engine-transmission into the Packard. By the time the Packard made it
back from Larry's, it had new Fat Man's Front Stub w/ rack & pinion & Front Disk
Brakes and Vintage Air A/C. On my to-do list is new glass, new wood
graining on the interior pieces and figuring out what to do with the instrument
cluster and seating. My wife wants the dash and seats to be as original as
they possibly can. Will not take bets on who wins this one. The
question of seating will determine the carpeting as well. Then it will be
time for new paint and outside trim.
