Customs 1937 Packard Chop and build

After I took the car to AutoRama last year I decided to narrow the frame three inches per side. I didn't have an inch of clearance to the outer and inner fender with my rear tires on. I borrowed a table from a friend and we put the chassis up on it for the work. I also wanted to box the rails and stiffen the frame. Once on the table, measurements showed the existing x-member was tweeked and the rails weren't straight. It was time to start over. GG

 

Wow, I like it ! Makes me want to have the same. I dunno' if I would change the grille top at all......one could section it an inch or two though to drop it down. I have no clue how that would alter the hood lines compared to the body, but I dare say.....it would be fun. I like subtle tastes, that keeps one head scratching.....trying to figure out....what the hell has been done. If the nose dropped, altering the hood line.....maybe you could pie cut the hood to bring the line back up ?

Hard to say, not being my car......but from what you have done....I sure would like it to be. Nice work.

 

The frame narrowing was something I hadn't done before. It actually was easier than expected. I used thick walled 3/8 and 1/2 material for most of the splicing and 1/8 wall for the boxing. While some of this looks a little crude and beefy, it seems to be more the angle of the picture. One of the features I have always wanted to keep was the round lightening holes at the front of the frame rails. Since there was a bunch of 60 year old grease and junk in the frame, I blocked off the backside with 1/8 inch plate. I ended up pie cutting the top and bottom rail and working it back into the frame. This originally tapered out to the x-member. The boxing was recessed about 1/4 inch into the frame side rail. GG

 

So I used a through frame bushing to drive a bolt through to hold the front leaf spring perch. The front perch was boxed in with some thick material and should be fairly bullet proof. When talking with Posie's on the spring and traction bar set up the design migrated to using the bushing as the front mount for the traction bar as well. I also had lowered the rear of the car previously by changing the rear shackle attachment point but that still left the car about 2.5 inches too high. You can see how much into the rear frame the mounting point for the shackle was cut into frame. This was a weak spot that needed fixing if I was going to plant 700 HP to the rear end. I fabbed up some lowering blocks before but it was time for those to go. I ended up working the front perch about 3 inches higher than before. GG

 

One of the weak spots was the rear frame horns. They not only thinned out but they were c-notched to lower the car previously and it was time to beef up the area. I decided to add metal to the topside making the frame rail taller and then boxed the complete inner side. Since I had the metal laying around I went thicker than stock for a little more stiffness and strength. The original cross members were removed and thick wall square tube added. GG

 

Here are some additional pictures of the rear suspension and the traction bar set up. Once this was on the ground you can really tell the difference between the spring and rear vertical action with or without the traction bars attached. It really limits the movement and is like adding some shocks or coil overs to the rear just by attaching the rods. The welds and panels are blended some more and I don't need lowering blocks anymore. GG

 

So I have the frame near done. I have also torn the last of the wood subfloor out and replaced the 1 1/2 x 3 inch wood planks with the same in steel. It will add weight but the subfloor is now doubling as part of the upper x-member. I put the car back together and added about 500 lbs. of sand mid cab and over the rear end to similar the tank being full and with interior. I have also pre run most of the 3-inch exhaust and mufflers. GG

 

Here the Packard is with the cab back on the frame. I have the front clip off now and have finished mocking up the new radiator in the radiator/grill support. It is about done and ready for final fitment. GG

 

On a different path....I have been looking at colors lately and surfed early Packards for some paint history. I found these 32 and 34 models. I like two tone. What does anyone else think about some original solid colors like these on a modified Packard like mine? GG

 

Elegance and class definitely. Throw back perfection. Hot rod and all.

 

Liking the darker fender one with matching beltline color.

Nice build!

 

OEM colours will make it stand out more from the crowd. I'm using the OEM 2 tone scheme on my 46 Olds, metallic gold over beige.

 

So it has been awhile since this was updated. The Packard is going to paint. It came back for final fitting and we have made a dozen fixes to small hairline cracks, running boards and gaps. I think I am tired of looking at it. To the shop for one more block sand, primer, block again...then primer for paint, paint and clear... quite a bit has happened since my last post on this car. I will begin the catching up photos. Shortly.

 

Here is the power plant for the Packard. I am running a 505 inch BBC, roller motor. It has a converted Hilborn injection system to EFI and FAST computer control module. It is rated at 650+ HP and should be fairly crisp. Gary

 

Progress Pictures....

 

Looks good Gary, has the paint scheme been finalized?

 

You bet....I worked with Dave Kindig, of Kindig-it Design, and he set me up with a two tone scheme. The roof, topside, fenders and running boards are all a darker silver metallic and the inserts on the sides from the hood side panels down the door and above the rear fenders will be a lighter sage pearl metallic. He sent me the color codes for the paint and led me too the place to buy the leather hides he picked out. Here is how it laid out on the car using welder's soap stone. Kindig not only solved a problem I had spent months dealing with but also picked the pinstripe line color and let me borrow his running board treatment. Check out the pictures. GG

 

So I have not been very good about keeping track of the Packard this past 45 days because I have been doing this.....