^^ I just saw that on FB and was going to post it on your build.'...This 1940 Packard Convertible Coupe bodied by Rollson is 1 of 3 ever built. This particular car had a custom track nose, louvered hood and a dash full of gauges added. The straight eight is dressed with An Edmunds dual carb intake, and a polished aluminum head. The Packard was originally from the West coast and was rumored to have raced at Muroc! We sat down with the current owner to discuss its history! Video link in the comments!!...
Damn. Saw that this morning on @IronTrap Garage, & @Mhamm , Matt and Mike's latest upload. B*tch'n car !!! As is yours.
Testing, testing, one, two, testing. Is this thing on? Hey @CadMad what’s the progress on your project man. Like, where ya at bro?
X38 is correct. Been slogging it out on several 53 Eldorados. My workshop is filled to the brim. Mind you I’m not complaining. I’ve got another one arriving in a week…. It’s like a Motorama wrecking yard…. Been heavily occupied on one that is finally starting to resemble a car again. Packard RH door is next project… just waiting for a lull in the workload.
For those who have missed this amazing thread/build. By the time you catch up there might be an update!
I'm bringing this thread up again in an effort to get Cadmad off his arse and doing something on this car! (Yes, I'm trying to shame him)
Alas X38 is correct. I need to get off my bum. But it’s not like I haven’t been busy. I’m immersed in these several 53 Eldorados. Just pulled 5 convertible top mechanisms apart and there is hundreds of bits that all need work. I also landed a very special one off 53 Eldo (actually the only Special Order one off) mid year (my own car) Had to pull it all down and document everything. I’ll spend the first half of the year playing with 53 Eldos. Then see where the Packard fits in. Actually a big shout out to Jim Mothershead who advertises here on the Hamb who just delivered the replacement data tag for the damaged original. (thanks to X38 for finding him). Jim is 82 and been going since 1957. Yes the Packard is languishing in the back of the workshop. It’s my own car so I don’t get paid to work on it. Sometimes even dreams must get put on hold to pay the bills. But you all have to understand that both the 39 Cadillac and the 39 Packard came about because of the conversation I had with Dave Holls (Co designer of the 59 Cadillac in 1996 at the Cadillac Nationals when I showed him my newly purchased unrestored 59 Biarritz. I told Dave I wanted to get a 53 Eldo next. He explained that I would have a hard time getting one because they are so rare. He then went on to tell me that Cadillac should have built a prewar custom like the 53 Eldo. He told me that the prewar Packard Darrins and Bohman and Schwartz cars inspired all the designers and they wanted to do sports customs but management wouldn’t let them…. Until the 53 Eldo. So either way I’m immersed in my Dreamcars. Everyday I’m repairing something or replicating something. I can’t complain. I can only apologise for the time it takes.
Could you elaborate on how many "several" 53 Eldorados you are doing? I would imagine that even regular Cadillac convertibles of that era would be scarce. Are you reworking 4 door sedans? In any case, keep up the good work.
3 of my own (319, 412 and 433) and 4 in my workshop belong to another mate, but he owns 3 more. Total Build count was 532 cars. The survivor’s register currently tallies about 200 cars in all condition. One unknown survivor per year seems to pop out of nowhere. Eldorado only parts are rare as hen’s teeth and priced accordingly. Luckily we both have just about all the Eldorado only components. We have a Fleetwood parts car for generic bits. But I’m always looking for nice or nicer 53 parts to add to the inventory.
Very impressive What is unique about your special order mid year car? Post lots of Eldo pics please They are such a cool car Cheers Bruce
FW 319 is triple black with non standard red saddle stitching throughout. It was a non standard order that cost $13.75 . It was the only factory “special order” of the 532 built. 5 triple black cars were built, the other 4 had white saddle stitching.
In 1953 I lived in Walnut Creek, California. My mom knew this guy who owned a bar there. He was the Volunteer Fire Chief in nearby Alamo or Danville. He bought a new El Dorado and equipped it with a siren and flashing lights to make better time on frequent trips to Reno. I thought that was cool (and still do).
The Jalopy Journal
