the data plate - Mid

Volume 30, No. 5
Mid-America Packards, Inc.
May
2012
THE
DATA
PLATE
The Data Plate is the Official Publication of Mid-America Packards – A Region of Packard Automobile Classics
May 2012
Memorial Day is the official start of the
summer driving and show season, kicked
off by the sound of revving engines at the
Indy 500. Our feature this month looks at
two instances of Packard’s involvement at
the Brickyard.
This month’s program seems especially
appropriate as we all contemplate that
marvel known as the Packard Engine lurking
under the hood. The one thing that seems
to be a constant over the last 120 years of
engine development is the common spark
plug. Though they may look that same, and
do the same essential job, those looks can
be deceiving.
MAP member Leonard
Pavlicek will be presenting a collection of
spark plugs he has picked up over the years,
and showing us how many different ways of
putting fire to the fuel!
Dues Reminder
Visit Mid-America Packards at our newly
revised website:
www.midamericapackards.org
Have you renewed your Mid-America Packards membership?
Perhaps you would consider doing so while at the next
meeting, or by mail for your convenience. Dues are still $20 for
12 months of the Data Plate, and 12 months of Packard fun.
You will find downloadable BACK ISSUES of
The Data Plate on the site’s “Newsletter” page.
The national Packard Club would like to remind you that all
members of PAC regions like ours are required to be members
of Packard Automobile Classics. Don’t forget to renew your
PAC membership for 2011 as well!
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The Data Plate
Director’s Column
THE DATA PLATE IS PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY MID-AMERICA PACKARDS
(MAP), A REGION OF PACKARD AUTOMOBILE CLASSICS. OUR PURPOSE
IS TO SERVE, PROMOTE AND REPORT NEWS ABOUT MID-AMERICA
PACKARDS IN PRIMARILY A 75 MILE RADIUS OF KANSAS CITY.
May 2012
By Tom Norman
HOW I FOUND MY 53 PACKARD PARTRIAN – Part 2
TO BECOME A MEMBER OF MAP, ONE MUST ALSO BE A MEMBER OF
PACKARD AUTOMOBILE CLASSICS. WE ENCOURAGE MEMBERSHIPS
FROM OTHER PACKARD REGIONS. OWNERSHIP OF A PACKARD IS NOT
NECESSARY.
In the March issue, I wrote about how I found my
1953 Packard. The following is a brief history on
my Patrician.
REGULAR MONTHLY MEETINGS ARE HELD AT THE TRAILSIDE CENTER,
9901 HOLMES ROAD, KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI AT 7:30 PM ON THE
FOURTH FRIDAY OF EACH MONTH, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTIFIED.
In 1955 Bill Rodekopf had taken this car in trade
on a new Packard. About this same time his
mother-in-law, Katherine Filson was driving to
Denver, Colorado in her 1950 turquoise Packard.
She had a one car accident and went off the road.
She was able to continue on to Denver and upon
returning traded in her 1950 and purchased the
car I now have. It was Varsity Gray and she found
this color not to her liking. It was then repainted
Packard Ivory and still is today.
ELECTED BOARD MEMBERS
DIRECTOR -------------------------------------- TOM NORMAN
(913) 649-8383 [email protected]
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR ------------------------------ JON ROOT
(913) 381-4994
SECRETARY / TREASURER ----------------------- MIKE SNEED
(913) 299-6133 [email protected]
8517 ANN AVE., KC, KS 66112
PROGRAMS & EVENTS DIRECTOR ------- MARSHA NORMAN
(913) 649-8383
MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR ---------------------- STEVE CHRISTY
(913) 677-0593 [email protected]
Some years later it was purchased by a family
living near 40 highway and Sterling. They were
the last owners before I purchased it in 1975. I
hope someday to have it painted Varsity Gray or
Meridian Blue as it has the blue and gray
broadcloth interior.
APPOINTED BOARD MEMBERS
TECHNICAL ADVISORS:
PRE-WWII ----------------------------- BILL CARNEY
(785) 272-9109
EDITORS, THE DATA PLATE --------------------- JEFF PACHL
(816) 628-0003 [email protected]
STEVE CHRISTY
(913) 677-0593 [email protected]
I WANT TO THANK BILL RODEKOPF FOR THE ABOVE
INFORMATION ON MY 1953 PACKARD PATRICIAN. I ALSO
FOUND OUT HE LEARNED TO DRIVE ON A 1918 PACKARD V12,
HE HAS 404 DIE-CAST MODEL CARS, WE TALKED ABOUT THE
VARIOUS PACKARD MODELS WE EACH HAVE AND OF COURSE
OTHER BRANDS OF CARS.
NOTICE!
ALL MATERIAL FOR THE DATA PLATE MUST BE SUBMITTED TO
TH
THE EDITORS BY THE 10 OF THE MONTH!
17704 PLATTSBURG ROAD, HOLT, MO 64048
OR EMAIL TO [email protected]
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Events like this are becoming a rare thing – the liquidation of the remnants of the Packard
Dealership in Lawrence, Kansas. Many have talked about it, more have wondered. Now it
is all to go across the block. Will you be there?
Saturday, May 26, 2012 at 10:00 A.M.
Collectible Cars (15 Packard's) & Misc. & Salvage
1106 Rhode Island - Lawrence, KS
15 – 1950’s Packard Cars in various NON RUNNING
CONDITION!
1. 1956 Clipper Super 4 dr. Model 5642 auto, Torsion Level
2. 1955 Clipper Custom 4 dr. Model 5562-8623, White Jade, Auto
3. 1955 Clipper Super Panama 2 dr. Model 5547-2369, Saphire/Moonstone
4. 1956 Executive 4 dr. Model 5672A-1335 Dover White/Maltese Gray
5. 1953 Clipper Deluxe Sedan 4 dr. Model 2662-23273 Black, Auto
6. 1952 200 Deluxe Sedan 4 dr. Model 2562-14956 Maroon, Standard
7. 1956 Clipper Super 2 dr. Model 5647-2037 Blue, Auto
8. 1953 Clipper Sportster 2 dr. Model 2697-3592 Ivory
9. 1950 Standard Eight Sedan 4 dr. Model 2392-5-39589 Spruce Green, Std
10. 1950 Standard Eigth Sedan 4 dr. Model 2392-5-44529 Blue Metallic
11. 1956 Executive 4 dr. Model 5672A-2370 Green, Auto
12. 1956 400 2 dr. Model 5687-1985 White, Auto
13. 1950 Standard Eight Sedan 4 dr. Model 2362-5-27016
14. 1953 Clipper 4 dr. Model 2662-27176 Blue, Auto
15. 1956 400 2 dr. Model 5687-1315
Misc. – Lots of other stuff to go.
FINA Gas Station metal pole; 24 ft. Z metal trusses & metal sheeting/posts; Vintage Lubester
pumps; Packard bumpers; old tire balancer & under coater; 1900’s license plates; large air
compressor; misc. hardware;
Please visit online at www.KansasAuctions.net for more pictures!!
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The 1919 Indianapolis “500”
– A Prominent Packard
Pacecar Presence
12-cylinder, 90-horsepower,
128-inch wheelbase, third
series twin six, 3-25, special
runabout, driver Jessie G.
Vincent, passenger Ralph de
Palma, this car with Mr.
Vincent
at
wheel,
functioned as official pace
car at Indianapolis Motor
Speedway Memorial Day
Race, 30 May, 1919, during
which event Mr. de Palma
drove Packard "299" racer
#4 to sixth place finish.
Packard Paces the field at the 1919 Indianapolis 500
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MOTOR AGE
October 5, 1922
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Packard Is Back in Automobile Racing
Will Pit American Engineering Skill Against European
Advance in Design of New 122-cu. in. Class
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., Sept. 30- Packard Motor
Car Co. will return to automobile racing in
1923 with a factory team, the first of the big
factories to engage in the speed sport after
once having retired. Incidentally, the Packard
will be the first of internationally famous
American factories with big production to
engage in racing in the last decade.
This was announced by T. E. Myers,
secretary and general manager of the
Indianapolis Motor Speedway, who has been
advised by Col. J. G. Vincent that the Packard
team would participate in the eleventh annual
500-mile international sweepstakes race next
Memorial Day. Col. Vincent is vice-president
in charge of engineering at Packard. He is the
co-designer of the Liberty motor and recently
won the Gold Cup at Detroit, the national
power boat championship.
The Packard Company has two reasons for
entering the coming race. The 1923 event will
be for cars powered with engines not to exceed
122 cubic inch piston displacement, being
smaller than any engine manufactured for
production automobiles in this country.
European engineers have made rapid strides in
the perfection of engines of this size and
smaller. The engineering fraternity knows that
with a new class the race this year will be won
on an engineering basis, and Packard is
confident enough of its ability to pit its product
against the best in Europe.
The other reason is the national pride of the
company and Col. Vincent, believing that this
year Europe will be much further advanced in
the perfection of its racing creations, and that
America, to compete successfully, must do so
with organized teams, which can only be
efficient when backed by financial support and
mechanical service which only a factory can
give to an automobile.
Col. Vincent has not given out the details of
Ralph de Palma four and five years ago, when
he successfully campaigned a Packard twelve
on the speedways.
Ralph de Palma has been engaged by
Packard Motor Car Co. as a consultant in the
building of its team of racing cars for the
Indianapolis event of 1923. He is working
with Col. Vincent and the Packard
engineering staff in perfecting the design of
the cars.
----
Colonel J. G. Vincent, Vice-President of
the Packard Motor Car Co., has
announced Its Return to Racing
the construction of the cars, but they are
now being built by the Packard
organization. Three types of engines will
compete for the $50,000 prize—four, six
and eight. Packard has selected the six
for its team because it believes the six
will be most efficient in competition in
this class. The cars will be one-man, with
the driver seated in the center. No
drivers have been announced.
The return of the Packard to racing
will revive memories of the Packard
―Gray Wolf,‖ which was a sensation
fifteen years ago and one of the most
successfully campaigned cars in the days
when the acme of speed competition was
achieved on the dirt tracks and beaches.
It will also call to mind the campaign of
Packard “Gray Wolf,” a famous racer of 15 years ago
DETROIT, Mich., Sept. 30—Packard Motor
Car co. is re-entering racing as a means of
testing out new engineering principles and
theories of design under the extreme
conditions which racing presents. The team
entered in the 1923 race will drive under the
personal direction of Col. J. G. Vincent, vicepresident in charge of engineering, who will
be in the pits throughout the running of the
race. Under his direction, tabulation of the
data afforded will be made.
According to Col. Vincent, the changes to
piston displacement defined by the race
authorities means a complete revision in
designing the engine. The race will be largely
a contest of engineering skill, he declared, and
companies like Packard should engage their
best efforts against those of European
companies, that there may be no question of
the ability of Americans to compete with
Europe’s best.
The qualities of the six-cylinder motor will
be most strikingly demonstrated in a test
confining the engine to a minimum
displacement, he said. A wealth of
engineering data should be afforded by the
running of the race under the conditions set,
and progress made as a direct result of this
which might otherwise not be made without
the lapse of considerable time.
Ralph De Palma is acting as a consultant in designing
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It’s Spring When the Packards Return to Capistrano… er, Salado!
Once again, we headed south for the warm air of Texas and the 35 th Annual Texas Packard Meet held in
Salado during the first of April. As always, it is a delight to meet with old friends, and to see some Packards
deemed “new” to anyone! It is difficult to fathom a Packard that is unknown at this late date, but there it
is. Needless to say, a great time was had by all!
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Parting Out – part or whole car: 1955 Packard 2-dr
hardtop Constellation Clipper, big engine, torsion bar
suspension, power brakes, Wonder Bar radio, electric
seat. (Not running); Parts: 1952 Packard Model 200
radiator, drive shaft, and connecting rods. Call: Vic
Mid-America Packards’ Official Projects
Macek 913-631-9699 email: [email protected]
Packard Accessory Catalog #600
For Sale: Items from the Charles Hoyle literature
collection. Please direct inquiries to Carol Hoyle or
Steve Christy.
The Bob Aller Collection – Vols. 1, 2 & 3
Each volume
Set of all 3
Packard Owner’s Service Card
- $3.35
Data Plate Name Badge
- $8.00
(Specify Clip or Pin-Back Style)
- $17.50
(Nov. 1, 1929) (Reprint)
Master Serviceman’s Training Manuals
- $17.50
(Choice of 3)
1) 55th Series Engines
2) 55th Series Clipper & Packard
- $26.00
- $56.00
Mechanical Changes and Torsion Level
3) 1952 Brakes, Regular and Easamatic
All Prices are Postpaid
Mid-America’s 2012 Calendar
May 25 -
Regular Membership Meeting at the Trailside Center Refreshments – Hoyle, Macek
June 3 – 8
6th Annual Henry Joy Tour – Stockbridge, Massachusetts.
June 4 – July 8 – National Packard Museum in Warren exhibit – “Packards At Speed”
June 14 – 17 – Motor Ioway – Now called Motor Memories – for more info, see www.motormemories.com
June 24 –
The Art of the Car Concours – The deadline for entry is April 1st! We will meet for
brunch or lunch for our June membership meeting before this show. More
information to be found at: http://www.kcai.edu/events/special-events/art-car-concours
July 20-22
National Packard Museum Classic Car Show: “Packards Abroad”
July 27 -
Regular Membership Meeting at the Trailside Center
Refreshments – McGinness, Pachl
August -
Progressive Dinner – Sign up with Marsh Norman if you would like to be included as
a stop along the way! This will be held in the ―cool of the evening.‖
September 17 – 21 – The PAC NATIONAL MEET – Williamsburg, Virgina. For more information:
http://packardsvirginia.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/nationalmeetinfo.pdf
September 28 – Regular Membership Meeting at the Trailside Center
Refreshments – Norman, Norton
October –
Annual Chili Supper & Membership Meeting – location and date to be announced.
December 7 - Regular Membership Meeting at the Trailside Center
Refreshments – Pavlicek, Reese
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THE DATA PLATE
8517 Ann Avenue
Kansas City, KS 66112
1936 Packard one twenty, model 120-B
Wilbur Shaw (winner 1937, 39, 40) 24th Annual Indianapolis 500 mile race, Memorial Day, 1936.
Courtesy NAHC, Detroit, Michigan
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