There are very few 39 Packards in Australia. A dozen probably got imported. They are factory right hand drive. Last year I answered an ad for a very delapidated 120 sedan. I only wanted the gearbox for my Packard speedster project. The guy selling it said he wouldn’t entertain splitting the box so I said it was worth $500 and left it at that. A few weeks later he got back to me and said the gearbox was mine.... but I had to take the rest of the car. So I went down to a beautiful macadamia farm near Byron Bay and surveyed one of the saddest sights I had ever seen. The body was completely toast. So I dragged it home and questioned my sanity and then decided it was Custom time. I immediately thought about Darrins. The grille was just salvageable. The front guards a mess, but the rear guards were ok. I immediately texted Rik Hoving and began the process of the idea to extend the hood and build a two seater roadster along the ideas of a Darrin but with a bit more elegant style. I’ve got a full build thread on the CCC But here we are after a few months of toil. Rik did me a favour and photoshopped the gaps to get a feel for the proportions and I couldn’t be happier. Still a long journey ahead but it’s definitely heading in the right direction.
This is fantastic. I didn't even realize the first pic was a photoshop right away. The proportions are perfect, and I'm glad such a rough car is being saved. Any pics of what you started with? Looking forward to seeing updates.
Dont know how you configurded this from that, not spelt right but you know................................
My brother demolished a commercial kitchen a while ago and the SS splash backs sat in the backyard till last week. 1.2 mm sheets perfect for reuse as floors. So I tore the back apart and separated the rear body from the frame and fabricated a new trunk floor. The underside will be nice brushed finish and the inner will be body deadened once it gets spotwelded and tig welded together. Once the rear tub is locked in I can move from the back forwards and tie it all together. Frame is not as bad as I expected however I will beef it up like a convertible chassis.
Brilliant. I'm now looking at the Packard sedan here in the classifieds, thinking maybe I shoulda bought that instead of the DeSoto wagon... Saw the photo Rik did for you on FB earlier today, and really glad to see your build thread here. It's inspiring.
The folding top mechanism came from a 2004 Saab Aero. I’ll be modifying the top mechanism a little once the windshield location is locked in.
I continued building up the trunk inners in SS. The top mechanism dictates the height of the top of the wheel arch. I’m at the maximum height possible which only gives me 4 inches of suspension travel ( bounce). I want the rear just a little lower than stock, not laid out but I’m hoping it is enough. I discovered that Izuzu light truck springs are the perfect eye to eye match for both the 39 Cadillac and Packard ( I’vealready fitted them on the Cadillac) and I have a spare pair of brand new springs that I found in the Suspension shop skip. I’ve thought about dropping the front of the rear guard an inch lower as well to at least cover the hubcap with the skirt.
It takes me here, almost immediately. I saw this in person at Amelia Island and it moved me. With Rik involved and what sure looks like mad skills I have high expectations. The one shown is a Graber body on a senior Packard Chassis. Yours being the 120 is perfect for a 2 seat sport cabriolet approach. Well done, I'll be watching.
My generous mate allowed me to go to Gilmore and Eyes on Design in Michigan last year. It was there at Gilmore that I saw in person the Graber Duesenberg in person and soaked up it’s beauty ... until in a traffic comedy/ tragedy an old cantankerous guy on a motorised scooter crashed into it... not one but twice. Then onto the Lowmann in the Haig. Some of the most incredible cars on earth. I came back so inspired to emulate the exquisite pre war design that emanated from Europe.
The Jalopy Journal
