1939 Packard Custom
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December 18, 2019 at 10:20 #65799Quentin HallParticipant
Crazy hot in the Brisbane suburbs at the moment. So I set up a portable sunshade today, set up the radio and got to work on the front crossmember that was heavily rusted out . To section the radiator cowl, the radiator had to be dropped 3inches lower into the crossmember. Luckily the worst rust was in the section that need to be cut out.
The original Hollywood Darrins were apparently badly modified at the crossmember and Packard was very unhappy with the result, as the cars were still under factory warranty. I have yet to see an original or a modified crossmember so I just looked at it logically and made up a 3mm folded plate that works. Got another day of welding and grinding and I forgot to take a pic. But I trial fitted the new sectioned radiator grille in place at 4.30.
Tomorrow I should be able to mock up the hood. Cowl section is Friday with any luck. Then the real fun can start!
December 18, 2019 at 10:49 #65800Quentin HallParticipantDecember 18, 2019 at 23:50 #65812Quentin HallParticipantDecember 19, 2019 at 12:15 #65814Quentin HallParticipantDecember 19, 2019 at 12:21 #65815Quentin HallParticipantDecember 19, 2019 at 12:23 #65816Quentin HallParticipantDecember 19, 2019 at 12:24 #65817Quentin HallParticipantDecember 19, 2019 at 12:30 #65818Quentin HallParticipantThe photos above are of the Gold 39 Super 8 that Rik photoshopped , whilst it was undergoing restoration at RM.
Today I dropped the column by removing 3 of the 4 bolts securing the steering box and it allowed the steering wheel to lower with only minor variation to the steering pitman arm angle. Tomorrow I’ll cut the cowl.Â
December 20, 2019 at 23:11 #65838Quentin HallParticipantDecember 20, 2019 at 23:12 #65839Quentin HallParticipantDecember 20, 2019 at 23:14 #65840Quentin HallParticipantSo after 3 indulgent days on the Packard this is where I am. I was gonna cut the cowl yesterday but decided to shore up the fenders first, whilst I have some reference points.
just concentrate on the seam under the headlights. All the edges are shot. But the metal is good in the middle. I bought 3 sheets of 1.2 zincaneal which is in the back of my van.  I’ll make lower patch panels next week to clean up the rust area where the running boards attached and then they won’t be such big floppy, wobbly messes. I’ll run them out in a longer pointed taper as well.
Luckily the rear guards are a lot better.December 24, 2019 at 17:15 #65880Quentin HallParticipantCowl section has begun.Â
December 24, 2019 at 17:19 #65881Quentin HallParticipant
Here you can see the modification I’ve made to the front crossmember to allow the radiator to sit lower. Doesn’t affect any of the geometry.December 26, 2019 at 07:41 #65884Quentin HallParticipantMy research has concluded that the section of the Darrin cowl was 2inches and not 3. (The radiator was 3inches) If you look at them side on you can see a slight rise from the radiator to the cowl. I’m inspired by the Darrin not copying it so I decided to go the full 3inches section on the cowl. It may have been because the standard coupe trunk side wasn’t sectioned. I want to flatten out the trunk so I’ll deal with any consequences like dashboard fit later.
The cowl /door A pillar was moved back 7 1/2inches. I intend to go back 8 1/2 or 9. I can extend the rear of the front guard if I do this.
Finally today I found some extensive restoration pics of a 39. This car has no door sills. Earlier cars had them. I think I prefer the sills.
http://www.aldrichrestores.com/Pages/1939DarrinResto.html
December 27, 2019 at 03:34 #65885Quentin HallParticipantI made the mistake of looking on Facebook marketplace again and just nearby is a 2010 Chrysler Sebring hardtop convertible being wrecked. I went there this morning to have a look. I can get the whole body for $350. …..I already have the Saab….. but ….. the Sebring has very nice round sail panels….. gotta decide whether a hardtop or a ragtop is more desirable. I do love the idea of a hardtop convertible.
However the Mulholland speedster and the 39 Lasalle C Hawk left me flat. Both strayed into contemporary customs. I want to retain the “prototype” , “no expense spared”,  factory build ….. on a miserable budget.
Go to the last minute of the video to watch the top fold.
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