DIY Network

1938 Packard: Restoration Resources From "Classic Car Restoration" episode DCR-401

There are a variety of resources -- in print and on line -- for obtaining vintage and authentic reproduction parts for your Packard.

In this episode of Classic Car Restoration, host Mark Lambert addresses one aspect of the restoration of a 1938 Packard Club Coupe.

In this second segment of episode 401, Mark discusses some restoration resources. Follow the link at the bottom of this page for some resources that were used in the restoration of our 1938 Packard.

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Restoration Resources

• We performed our own inspection and evaluation on our Packard project-car, and authenticated it with matching vehicle ID numbers. If you don't feel qualified to do an inspection like this on your own, or if your search takes you outside your home area, you may want to consider using an inspection service. Pre-purchase car inspections typically cost between $150 and $500, and you may find it to be money well-spent. You'll get solid information and a written report based on pre-established forms (figure A).

• Once you've selected your project car, consider joining a Packard club. This will provide you with information in the form of newsletters (figure B), publications and -- perhaps most importantly -- direct access to other Packard enthusiasts who will be willing to help you and answer questions. Frequently club-member enthusiasts will have stashes of old parts that they may be willing to sell or trade.

  Figure A

  Figure B

  
  

• Period repair manuals (figure C) can be located through clubs or via internet resources. These were written concurrently with the manufacture of the vehicle, and will provide the original and most accurate repair and service information and specs for your vintage automobile

• For even more detailed service information, you may want to track down the manufacturer's published shop manual (figure D). We were able to find an original, but reproduction shop manuals are available through specialty catalogs and internet resources.

  Figure C

  Figure D

  
  

• You can also find many current publications on vintage automobiles as well as parts catalogs (figure E). Specialty parts catalogs contain useful information, diagrams and lists of parts that are available. Most importantly, these catalogs provide an easy means for you to call up experts who may be able to answer some of your questions about your collector car directly.

• The internet may be one of your most valuable tools in a restoration project. Online searches, auctions and suppliers may provide you with the fastest and easiest way to find obscure automotive parts and information (figure F).

  Figure E

  Figure F

  
  

RESOURCES :


Resources and Special Thanks for Classic Car Restoration 400 series


The Packard Club
Columbus, Ohio
(National & regional clubs, car shows & judging, magazine, resources, etc.)
The Cormorant magazine
The Packard Club
www.packardclub.org

Packards International Motor Car Club
(National owner's club, judging rules, magazine, newsletter and other resources)
Santa Ana, CA
Packardsinternational.com

Packards of Chicagoland
(Regional affiliate of The Packard Club)
Elmhurst, IL
Packards of Chicagoland

America's Packard Museum
Dayton, Ohio
www.americaspackardmuseum.org

The National Packard Museum
Warren, OH (the birthplace of the Packard)
www.warren.org

The Packard Motor Car Foundation
(Foundation for preserving the Packard marque) Restoring the Packard Proving Grounds and other Packard activities.
www.packardmotorfdn.org

Motorbooks International
www.motorbooks.com

Automobile Inspections LLC
(Nationwide automobile appraisal & inspection services, including classic cars)
Hartford, CT
www.automobileinspections.com

Classic Auto Appraisals (Evaluation of Classics, Street Rods, Antiques, Competition Cars, Exotics, Commercial Vehicles and Hand Crafted Vehicles).
www.autoappraisals.com

GUESTS :

Keller Wallace
Keller Wallace Street Rods
Volunteer Street Rod Association
Knoxville, TN