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Projects 1937 Packard 115 coupe

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by zzrodney, Dec 12, 2021.

  1. zzrodney
    Joined: Dec 12, 2021
    Posts: 67

    zzrodney

    Rescuing a body that I've known about for 40+ years in a friends barn, I will be bringing it back to life as a 60's style Gasser or Altered, depending on how strict your definition is. Resto purists often have a problem with hotrodding Packards but this one hasn't seen the light of day since the 60's when it was taken apart, frame is long gone. The body will get to me in April 2022 but in the meantime, I've rounded up a bunch of parts and started building the frame. Big block Chevy & Turbo 400 for power, P&J straight axle and 9" rearend. At this point the plan is to preserve the remains of its original paint, blend the various body parts to match, fix any rot, no body filler. It's missing the trunk lid so I'll need to create one - super hard to find a replacement. The crusty 1976 454 motorhome will get a thorough upgrade to make the appropriate amount of power. DSC01310.JPG DSC01308.JPG IMG_3404.JPG IMG_3406.JPG IMG_3429.JPG IMG_3447.JPG
     
  2. zzrodney
    Joined: Dec 12, 2021
    Posts: 67

    zzrodney

    Getting started on the frame construction, beginning with scribbling it out on the floor.. 2x4 main rails, temporary crossmembers in the middle & front
     

    Attached Files:

  3. j hansen
    Joined: Dec 22, 2012
    Posts: 5,217

    j hansen
    Member

    Good looking car,,,,,,,,let`s see your version:) Skärmavbild 2021-12-13 kl. 19.31.54.png
     
  4. 41rodderz
    Joined: Sep 27, 2010
    Posts: 6,540

    41rodderz
    Member
    from Oregon


  5. zzrodney
    Joined: Dec 12, 2021
    Posts: 67

    zzrodney

    This is the one I just finished, mild custom version, spot the changes... IMG_3547.JPG
     
    rod1, abe lugo, treb11 and 30 others like this.
  6. Brian Penrod
    Joined: Apr 19, 2016
    Posts: 216

    Brian Penrod
    Member

    Sweet, love Gassers!
     
    Jessie J., loudbang and Stogy like this.
  7. mr.chevrolet
    Joined: Jul 19, 2006
    Posts: 8,860

    mr.chevrolet
    Member

    wish I would have bought this one
     

    Attached Files:

  8. I wanna say restore it.


    But SCREW THAT !!!!! This thing will make one beautiful Hot rod !!!!!!
     
  9. zzrodney
    Joined: Dec 12, 2021
    Posts: 67

    zzrodney

    I remember seeing that one for sale, it's a 120 (5" longer wheelbase)
     
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  10. zzrodney
    Joined: Dec 12, 2021
    Posts: 67

    zzrodney

    Mounted the front axle, a Pete & Jakes unit - more expensive than a Speedway one but it is a very complete kit, with Ford style rod ends. Heim joints for tie rod and drag link ends won't pass a safety inspection to make it streetable in BC. Also built the front crossmember from 1/4" plate, it needs the beef as the entire front sheet metal and rad support mount to it. In the absence of the body for measurements, I have the identical car right here for reference. This one will be it's evil twin... IMG_3462.JPG IMG_3466.JPG
     
  11. Stogy
    Joined: Feb 10, 2007
    Posts: 26,345

    Stogy
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Removed bumperettes, lowered, vent windows gone, wheelcover mods maybe...that's all I can see...nice cars...door hinge setup is interesting...you'd almost expect them to be suicide but no...nice job...

    And you have 2...how cool is that...
     
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  12. Looklng good
     
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  13. zzrodney
    Joined: Dec 12, 2021
    Posts: 67

    zzrodney

    Lots of little mods - headlights lowered 3", bumpers lowered and tucked in, tail light pedestals removed, top chopped 1" in front, 2" in back, rear door posts leaned forward, top filled. Stock hinges were there and functional so I left them alone. Unseen is a full custom frame and SB Ford/AOD/9" diff. Actually, those are stock Packard smoothie wheel centers put into wider rims modified by Stockton Wheel, stock Packard hubcaps.
     
  14. oj
    Joined: Jul 27, 2008
    Posts: 6,454

    oj
    Member

    No 4 link suspension allowed in the gasser classes, ladderbar only.
     
  15. zzrodney
    Joined: Dec 12, 2021
    Posts: 67

    zzrodney

    No worries, it's a street machine. Not trying to toe the line of period 'correctness', just having fun building it my way.
     
  16. choptop40
    Joined: Dec 23, 2009
    Posts: 5,114

    choptop40
    Member

    awesome....make sure the stocker doesnt get jealous and sabatogie the project...
     
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  17. zzrodney
    Joined: Dec 12, 2021
    Posts: 67

    zzrodney

    Right on! I knew there were more Packards hiding out there. Here's a pic of the last one I built a few years ago, 1936 120, chopped, sectioned, DSC00762 (2).JPG converted from 4dr. to 2dr.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 14, 2021
    rod1, shorrock, Chavezk21 and 39 others like this.
  18. AHotRod
    Joined: Jul 27, 2001
    Posts: 12,216

    AHotRod
    Member

    Make a Hot Rod out of it and Rock n Roll 'ZZ'

    A torch, cutoff and flapwheel are my best friends :)
     
    loudbang likes this.
  19. Brian Penrod
    Joined: Apr 19, 2016
    Posts: 216

    Brian Penrod
    Member

    The way it should be!
     
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  20. That thing is screaming tail dragger.
     
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  21. bowlingball
    Joined: Oct 24, 2008
    Posts: 133

    bowlingball
    Member
    from Australia

    Bellos Customs chopped and taildragged a nice one
     
    Jibs, Black_Sheep and WalkerMD like this.
  22. brady1929
    Joined: Sep 30, 2006
    Posts: 9,254

    brady1929
    Member

    Conrats. That would be a great tail dragger.
     
    WalkerMD likes this.
  23. zzrodney
    Joined: Dec 12, 2021
    Posts: 67

    zzrodney

    Made the driveshaft loop with a drop out lower half to make it easier to take the driveshaft in/out. Set the diff in place, custom built 9" with Strange Nodular 3rd member, 4.88 Gears with Wavetrac posi and Dutchman 35 spline axles, GM disc brakes. Up front I got the steering box mounted with an adaptor plate 'cause the box wound up so close to the rear leaf mount. Naturally it's going to conflict with the engine mount position, not unexpected.... IMG_3460.JPG IMG_3463.JPG IMG_3461.JPG IMG_3472.JPG
     
  24. loudbang
    Joined: Jul 23, 2013
    Posts: 40,276

    loudbang
    Member

    That is a SERIOUS rear end :)
     
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  25. zzrodney
    Joined: Dec 12, 2021
    Posts: 67

    zzrodney

    Added mounts for the coil overs, still waiting for them to show up, so I just made a couple temp struts for now. Panhard bar mounted - it may change yet - no so happy with the amount of side to side movement through suspension travel.... Waiting 'till the engine is mounted to find the right angle for the pinion before I weld the 4 link brackets to the housing.

    IMG_3488.JPG IMG_3478.JPG IMG_3486.JPG
     
  26. PhilA
    Joined: Sep 6, 2018
    Posts: 2,061

    PhilA
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    1. Hydro Tech

    If it's going to be that tight, couldn't you use a Watts linkage instead of the Panhard rod? Looks like you'd be well within the linear range of one.

    Phil
     
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  27. zzrodney
    Joined: Dec 12, 2021
    Posts: 67

    zzrodney

    Yeah, that would solve the issue but it would work best behind the diff and that would conflict with the coil overs. I cut the whole works off and started over with a wishbone Panhard, used the adjuster from the other one and some new bushings for the fork ends - the center mount tube slides in and out and I put a zerk fitting on the underside. It also gives me more room to run exhaust up and over the housing. IMG_3551.JPG IMG_3557.JPG
     
  28. PhilA
    Joined: Sep 6, 2018
    Posts: 2,061

    PhilA
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    1. Hydro Tech

    Given the confines of the space that should work nicely. Takes a little more of the torque reaction from the wheels away from the bars, too.

    Phil
     
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  29. zzrodney
    Joined: Dec 12, 2021
    Posts: 67

    zzrodney

    Positioned the engine/trans, headers are for a tri 5 Chevy - nobody makes headers for a BBC in a Packard - go figure - they will need a bunch of cutting and redo to fit the fenders right.... As expected it will be fun to do the drivers side engine mount.

    IMG_3500.JPG IMG_3502.JPG
     
  30. zzrodney
    Joined: Dec 12, 2021
    Posts: 67

    zzrodney

    Added more structure to the frame, mounted the trans and mounted the brake booster/pedal assy.
     

    Attached Files:

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