After the tour, we rendezvoused with local friends and visited 2 smaller restoration shops, one having a 37-120 Conv. Coupe that has been resurrected from fire damage, and another where a 38 Super 8 formal sedan lay eviscerated down to its bare metal skin. We enjoyed a home cooked Italian meal with the owner of a 37 Packard, concluding with homemade limonchello. Thereafter, having been provided the family recipe for same, we picked fresh lemons from the tree in the yard. Whoever said when life gives you lemons, make lemonade never sampled homemade limonchello.
Friday, January 28, 2011 began with an appointment for a private tour of the William Lyon collection. Mere words cannot convey the impression of having 10 Duesenbergs in an equally impressive building, so I will remark of the Darrin, Lebaron, Dietrich, Derham and Rollson Packards also in the Collection. The blue 34 Lebaron roadster, 745 factory speedster, golden 40 180 Darrin, 39 V12 Derham Phaeton, 39 V12 armored Presidential parade car, 35 Dietrich phaeton, etc. etc. etc. Eric appeared to prefer the Darrin, but really – how can one choose? Most of the 50 or so cars are of the classic era, however, one more modern car absolutely stunned my automotive senses – a 1964 Alfa Romeo TZ-2 factory competition racecar. The TZ-2 at first glance looks like a 8/10 scale Ferrari GTO. Fantastic. Never seen one before, and probably never will again. Well, maybe next year...
We took the curator (full time for 2 employees) to lunch, then made a few quick parts hunting stops (Egge Machine, Best Gaskets) before cruising over to Custom Auto Service which specializes in Packards. The employees were very busy preparing cars for the show on Saturday – a 34 Super 8 phaeton still had its cylinder head off, while waxes and polishes were being applied to the rest of the pack. At one point we found ourselves (lost) in the back rooms of parts – simply an unbelievable cache. Eventually, Eric grabbed a ride in a 41 Lebaron Limo back to the hotel, where cars and trailers had begun to assemble for the show on Saturday. Did I mention the weather was mid-seventies and clear skies?
Saturday, January 29, 2011 Show Day – Perfect weather for a Caribbean themed show. At least 15 Caribbeans, albeit no 55. Tops down, windows open and hoods up. About 60 show prepared Packards. Another day of Packards - Lebarons, Darrins, Dietrichs, Hercules, Cantrell and even a Brewster. So overwhelming was the show, Eric (appropriately wearing his Ark-La-Tex Packards T-shirt) and I retreated to Seal Beach for couple hours to decompress. Too many Packards, too little time. We went to dinner that evening with a dozen friends including Kevin Waltman of Packardinfo.com fame.
Sunday, January 30, 2011 – the swap meet begins in the pre-dawn darkness. The offerings vary, and while 1937 parts were a bit thin, I did manage to pick out a few choice items for my collection, the most interesting being a NOS set (well almost a set, only 15) of 1931 thru 1939 roller tipped rocker arms for the early 8 cylinder engines. Even Johnny Toce benefitted, now having a Packard embroidered jacket for her wardrobe. By mid-morning, the weather turned cloudy, and when a light drizzle started at 11am, it marked the end of our attendance, and we headed back to the airport for flights home.
Respectfully Submitted,
Eric Toce and David Flack.
PS – on behalf of the Club, we made several invitations to friends for the Cajun Cruise, however we had no date to provide...
Flack’s Fodder for the period is as follows -
December/January Report -
Expedition to Mena – EARLY morning December 4th, under cover of darkness, members of the Ark-La-Tex Packards expeditionary forces mounted an assault into barns, sheds and outbuildings atop a mountain in Mena, Arkansas. Led by Russell and Terry, baited with legend and reconnaissance by Nelson and The Flackmaster several weeks prior, the mission to secure the remaining Packard parts from Don Rook’s estate was underway by 5 am. Armed with two trucks with trailers and a 24ft box truck, we made it to the designated coordinates by 8am, and in the ensuing hours Packard parts were segregated from Chrysler parts, personal possessions, random fixtures, entanglements and the errant critters/insects. By dusk, the mission was successful and we were darned hungry. We secured 5 engines, 4 front clips, boxes and boxes of parts, and enough hubcaps to stretch from Longview to East Grand Boulevard. It is hoped that some of these parts will wind up on members vehicles.
Holiday Party at Billy and Cleburne’s – As reported herein, Ember Flack donned here apron and, with the assistance from all the members, commandeered Billy and Cleburne’s kitchen to put together the Holiday Dinner. From the scuttlebut, gossip and voiced opinions, “a good time was had by all”. Thank you once again to Billy and Cleburne for hosting this year, though on personal note, I missed hearing Toby on the piano with her accompanying chorus. Former President Bates gave his final speech as our leader, complete with a joke I still don’t understand. Must have to have been from Mississippi. (?) About half the members present participated in the first annual gift exchange. The most stolen gift was a pair of Packard coffee mugs (with Jim Hollingsworth being in the center of the action), and heaviest gift being a floor jack finally being claimed by Wendall Spreadbury. Yes, a floor jack. I believe replete in red paint demonstrating its holiday spirit. Surprise guest of honor was Kevin Waltman, website owner of the wildly popular www.packardinfo.com in town to proclaim The Word of Packard to anyone who would listen...or log in. The website is free and hosts the largest database of Packard information (manuals, brochures, service bulletins, parts lists, etc) on the web and is free. Free. www.Packardinfo.com
Packarding in Florida - Later in December Ember and I traveled to Florida to attend my nephew’s graduation from Florida Atlantic University. His Bachelors degree in Accounting was awarded Magna Cum Laude and he is continuing his studies to gain a Master’s in Tax within 3 semesters. I report this as the trip included a side trip to deliver a Packard window switch to one of his neighbors. On other occasions, I have dispatched my nephew on missions to support his local Packard activity. TPO.
Remedial Woodgraining – A term coined at last years Salado woodgraining training session, Ember woodgrained dashboard pieces for Eric Toce which were later delivered to Chad by Nelson & Warren Bates for clearcoat application. Now back in Eric’s hands, he reports progress in putting his car back together in anticipation of its trip to the paint booth. Pictures please, Eric. Stay tuned.
Stay Tuned – The first meaning being of utmost importance to your Packard, my observation is if you are thinking of having Russell do any work on your Packard prior to Salado, you better get your name on the list, fast. At my latest count, there were 2 Packards at Russell’s now (Bill Shipp’s 51 and Stewart’s 53), final work being done on Nelson’s 40 Sedan, and at least 2 more already on the wait list, including my ‘37, last seen in Marshall, TX with the heater on full. You may think its January and not Packard weather, but come Packard weather, do you want your car in the shop, or ready to go? This commercial message not a paid endorsement. Who else are you gonna TRUST with your Packard?
Upcoming Events – The Cajun Cruise, 2011. I know this is going to be a great weekend - Be there, or be sorry....that means you this time.
Well, I gotta go pack now – headed to the Packards International membership meet in southern California. I am meeting Eric Toce at DFW and from there, its gonna be All Packards All the Tiime for then next 3 days. Report to follow...
Stay Tuned,
The Flackmaster
