A Packard Clipper is Reborn - Hemmings Motor...
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Volume 61 • No. 19 • Spring 2018 CLOISONNÉ CALENDAR (continued on page 2) A Packard Clipper is Reborn Our Member, Doug Cameron, restored his Packard with help from his cousin. It was a challenging project to say the least. Here is his story. If you have a story on the history or restoration of your car, I’d love to share it with our readers so please let me know. Thanks. Our Packard journey started in March 1995, when I was talking with my cousin, Marlin Zimmerman in Phoenix, AZ. He was actively restoring a 1956 Clipper Constellation and had recently found a 1955 Clipper Panama in a junkyard in Tucson, AZ. He purchased it. The odometer showed 98,012 miles. The car was originally delivered in April, 1955 to someone in Tucson. We do not have any prior details about the car. Marlin registered the car along with his daughter in AZ. My wife Judy and I purchased the car from Marlin with the understanding he would follow the restoration in Phoenix since we lived in Stillwater, MN. I worked full-time at Imation Corp., a spinoff from 3M Company in Oakdale, MN. Restoration started immediately with disassembly, bodywork, painting, engine rebuild, chrome plating and body reassembly. All rubber parts were replaced including windshield and back window mountings, vent windows and door weather-strips, grommets, etc. The 320 cid, 225 hp, V8 engine was torn down completely and rebuilt. The transmission seals were all replaced, Carter 4 barrel carburetor rebuilt, water pump exchanged for rebuilt unit, radiator recored, power steering pump rebuilt and brakes repaired, front coil springs replaced and front end rebuilt. Starter switch, plugs and wires replaced, and complete electrical tune-up done. New tires with stems were spin balanced.
Transcript of A Packard Clipper is Reborn - Hemmings Motor...
Volume 61 • No. 19 • Spring 2018
CLOISONNÉ CALENDAR
(continued on page 2)
A Packard Clipper is RebornOur Member, Doug Cameron, restored his Packard with help from his cousin. It was a challenging project to say the least. Here is his story. If you have a story on the history or restoration of your car, I’d love to share it with our readers so please let me know. Thanks.
Our Packard journey started in March 1995, when I was talking with my cousin, Marlin Zimmerman in Phoenix, AZ. He was actively restoring a 1956 Clipper Constellation and had recently found a 1955 Clipper Panama in a junkyard in Tucson, AZ. He purchased it. The odometer showed 98,012 miles. The car was originally delivered in April, 1955 to someone in Tucson. We do not have any prior details about the car. Marlin registered the car along with his daughter in AZ.
My wife Judy and I purchased the car from Marlin with the understanding he would follow the restoration in Phoenix since we lived in Stillwater, MN. I worked full-time at Imation Corp., a spinoff from 3M Company in Oakdale, MN.
Restoration started immediately with disassembly, bodywork, painting, engine rebuild, chrome plating and body reassembly. All rubber parts were replaced including windshield and back window mountings, vent windows and door weather-strips, grommets, etc. The 320 cid, 225 hp, V8 engine was torn down completely and rebuilt.
The transmission seals were all replaced, Carter 4 barrel carburetor rebuilt, water pump exchanged for rebuilt unit, radiator recored, power steering pump rebuilt and brakes repaired, front coil springs replaced and front end rebuilt. Starter switch, plugs and wires replaced, and complete electrical tune-up done. New tires with stems were spin balanced.
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(A Packard Clipper is Reborn) (continued from page 1)
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The painting was done in the original two-tone with Ultramarine Metallic on top and bottom and Moonstone as the middle color. The dash and interior metal trim were painted in Sapphire Metallic. The interior and trunk trim were all replaced with reproduction pattern and color. It was now June, 1996.
The car was started and idled well. The remaining 12 volt positive ground electrical wiring had not been reconnected and not checked out. At this point, we decided to have the car transported to Stillwater, MN in July, 1996 and I would finish the restoration myself, in my spare time. We registered our Panama in MN and purchased antique 1955 MN license plates, plate no. HK-2400. I drove the Panama around the neighborhood a few times but had it stall from gas line air lock, I think, and had to walk about a mile home. Not fun. Well, you guessed it! The car sat in our garage in Stillwater until we retired and built our retirement lake home in Trego, WI. We had a shell home built and closed on it in November, 1998. During the next two years, we worked on the home weekends doing all the electrical, plumbing and sewer system and installing insulation.
We retired at the end of 2000 and switched to working on the new home during the week, returning to Stillwater for the weekends. We hired most of the interior knotty pine installation and sheetrock work so we could move in July, 2001. We also had the 4 car garage built earlier that summer so it was also ready for us. For the next 10 years, we enjoyed 7 months at our lake home in beautiful WI and 5 months at our home in sunny AZ. We were too busy playing golf, finishing details of the new house and garage, etc. to have time for the Panama. Finally in Sept. 2013, I started again to work on the Panama myself. Because it had been stored for over 17 years, much of the previous restoration had to be redone. First, I pulled the radiator and flushed it. Then I removed the water pump and cleaned it up so it functioned. I replaced the battery and had the gas tank reconditioned. The gas line had some pin holes so I installed a rubber gas line and electric fuel pump. Time to head south.
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(A Packard Clipper is Reborn) (continued from page 2)
July 2014, I started again only to find the spout leading to the gas tank had a small crack and leaked slightly so I pulled the tank again. The shop where I had it reconditioned repaired it free of charge so I was ready to go again. I pulled the Carter 4 barrel carburetor and rebuilt it after much procrastination. The next step was to do complete engine tune-up, namely plugs, points, condenser, plug wires and voltage regulator. Much to my amazement, it started about the third time it turned over and idled beautifully. Not all was good, however, as I had noticed the end of the muffler had rusted thru leaking exhaust fumes into the garage.
Kanter Auto Products to the rescue, October, 2015! They had an unused muffler in stock back in the warehouse made in 1955-6 specifically for this car. It went on fine after much wrestling under the Panama. That was enough until spring. I started April, 2016 to work on the braking system. I replaced all four wheel cylinders and rebuilt the vacuum assist master cylinder. What an interesting new experience. It worked out well until I noticed the brake line from the rear to master cylinder was leaking. Stop and replace it. The brakes still need some work and I think I need to replace the return coil spring in the vacuum cylinder since the brakes want to stay on when the engine is running. Pulling the brake pedal up with your toe seems to work but not very handy when driving in traffic or into the garage.
My next challenge was to replace all light bulbs and clean contact points to get all the lights working. It was very time consuming and uncomfortable working under the instrument panel lying on your back. After a short drive, I noticed the transmission was leaking fluid out the hole in the bottom of the transmission case. I can’t do this repair without a hoist and more knowledge. Time to call Dave & Wally’s in Spooner. They were great. They rebuild the transmission and it works great with NO leaks. I still need to work on the speedometer since the needle jumps around and is very noisy.
All in all, this has been a challenging and rewarding experience. Judy and I are both looking forward to some enjoyable rides in our Panama.
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Board of DirectorsMinnesota Packards
Director:Tom Brace
Treasurer:John Ward
Membership:Marie Heskowitz
Historians:Tom and Betty Holman
Projects:Wayne Kempfert
Editor:Bill Heptig
MINNESOTA PACKARD CLUB PROJECTS
Rear U-Joint Retainer Clips – Used on all 1951-54’s. Two needed per car. #426438 & #426439. Include engine size and transmission type. $10 per set.
Ignition Switch Instruction Decal – This in an exact copy of the original decal that was located under the 1951-52 ignition switches. Just peel off the back and install. $5 per decal.
Fender to Body Reinforcing Washers – These are exact copies of the following numbers: #335759 as used on the 1939-41s (except for Sixes and Twelves); #325915 as used on the 1938-39 Sixes, Eight’s and Super Eights; #162389 as used on all Senior rear fenders from 1930-38. $25 for a set of eight. Please specify which style is needed.
Aluminum Door Sills – These sills are professional reproductions of the highest quality, made from original patterns, custom crafted for your car. Send a business-size SASE for new price list of available patterns.
All prices are post paid; include year and model on all orders.**** Canadian residents – add $10 to cover delivery charges. ****
Minnesota PackardsP.O. Box 19119 | Diamond Lake Station | Minneapolis, MN 55419
Email: [email protected]
Power steering; power brakes; power seat; automatic transmission; gray with red leather upholstery; windshield washer; power top; “Cormorant” hood ornament. New whitewall radial tires on chrome wheels. All major mechanical systems have been gone through recently at a reliable restoration shop including: fuel system and carburetor, brakes and master cylinder, cooling system has been repaired and replaced. Located in Minneapolis suburb. Ready to drive away!
$32,000 or make an offer.
Contact: Marie HeskowitzHome: 763-572-1661Cell: 763-742-0708Email: [email protected]
For Sale: 1954 Packard Convertible
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If you have ideas on what events you would like to see in 2018, please shoot us an email at [email protected] or call me at 952-447-6581 to pass these along. We are interested in ideas where great touring and interesting collections, museums, or other interesting history would make a great driving event.
April 28 The Classic Car Club Garage Tour, always a fascinating look at some special car collections in the upper Midwest, and a great spring opener to get the old cars out and drive. Mark your calendars to join us. The event leaves HOOKED ON CLASSICS, 701 Jefferson Ave SW, Watertown, MN 55388 at 9:00 a.m.
May 6, 2018, 7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds Gopher State Buick club hosts 2018 Spring Extravaganza Car Show and Swap Meet, a show for all makes and a chance get the old car out and meet other enthusiasts. $10 to show your car, proceeds to the club.
June 16 & 17, Stone Arch Art of the Car Show in Minneapolis. A great Father’s Day event and a chance to show off that ride downtown with artists and food nearby. Free, but you must register on the website.
July 1 - 7, The Packard National in Columbus Ohio, this promises to be a special event with trips to several car collections, The Air Force Museum and several tours. A group from Minnesota usually goes, so if you’re interested, we may be able to caravan there together. Contact [email protected] to let us know your plans.
10,000 Lakes Car Show in Excelsior, 9 a.m., July 22, 10,000 Lakes Concurs – this is a charity event and the tickets are $20 – some of the nicest classic, special interest, sports cars and wood boats to be seen in the Upper Midwest, check out the website at http://10000lakesconcours.com/
August 17 - 19, The Minnesota Packards/Hawkeye Packards Joint Meet. Details in a future newsletter.
December 2018, A Holiday Luncheon – details TBD.
Minnesota Packards 2018 Events
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Classic Car Club and Packard Club Fall DriveI got up early and drove the ’35 Packard form Prior Lake to Stillwater, Minnesota, using surface streets in St Paul. It took me awhile but I made it to Mark Desch’s place in time for the days fun. We had a good size group ready to enjoy the day and visit a destination sure to quicken the heartbeat of any old car enthusiast.
Le’Cars is a Top Flite Restoration house that is based in Cameron, Wisconsin. There specialty is Packard Darrins and Rolls Royce P3’s. As we walked up to the facility, they had a resorted Darrin on display. This was exciting. Our members, John and Jane Caldwell, enjoyed having a look. Inside we got a look at the type of Rolls Royce these folks are known for. The P3 is the 12 cylinder car and was made in the ‘30s. Clearly this was the sort of car people were driven in.
Being known for a speciality doesn’t mean they don’t do other types of vechicles. They had a nearly complete Model A Pickup and several more modern cars that were undergoing a rebuild plus a rather obscure English car, a 1928 Alvis.
Of particular interest to the Packard fans was a Darrin that was in the process of being rebuilt. The organization and meticulous detail is evident in the Darrin that was undergoing a rebuild. The masking was still in place from the paint process and the parts for the project were laid on sheveling next to the vechicle so nothing was lost.
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CLASSIC CAR CLUB AND PACKARD CLUB FALL DRIVE – CONTINUED
After enjoying a look around, we adjourned to lunch and had a pleasant visit with the folks that owned the shop and some of there co-workers. They were happy to answer questions and offered us a tour of a second facility that was about a half an hour east of Cameron in Roberts, WI. The owner was out of town at a race event, but his wife Barb greeted us at the door and escorted us in to have a look around. Sandy is a car enthusaist as well and was very familiar with all the vechicles to be seen here.
The owner has a passion for motorsports. This car was a late model copy of a Mercedes SSK that apparent was used for a hill climb. There was also a French car that I’ve only seen in books, a Vosin. I understand the restoration on this was done “down under”, but not to a mechanically sound condition. It was fascinating to see none the less.
My favorite at this facility was a cream colored Auburn Speedster, a really sporty classic.
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CLASSIC CAR CLUB AND PACKARD CLUB FALL DRIVE – CONTINUED
Minnesota Packards, Inc., a region of the Packard Automobile Club (PAC), is a not-for-profit corporation dedicated to the preservation and enjoy-ment of Packard automobiles and related memorabilia.
The Cloisonné Calendar is the official publication of Minnesota Packardsand is published three times a year.Subscription is included with membership in MN Packards.
Please mail correspondence to: Minnesota PackardsP.O. Box 19119,Diamond Lake Station,Minneapolis, MN 55419
This facility also was a site for active restorations and there were were cars in process and awaiting attention. Here are a Nash Coupe and the chassis of a 12 cylnder Rolls.
Having viewed a wide variety of interesting vechicles, it was time to head for home. As I drove vintage, I enjoyed the day behind the wheel but took a different route to avoid the city. It was fine, but a bit time consuming. I made it home by sunset. This was a memorable crusie with good company. Life is good.
