Best spring yet! Got the Porsche out earlier than ever!!

vonsmog · 03-14-2012, 09:52 AM

Got the 911 out and on the road yesterday! Last year it was mid April before all the salt was off the road. Temps in the 70's and low 60's for the next 10 days, when we should have snow! Even got my Father's 32' Packard out and went for one last ride before I put it up for sale for him.

His health is not what it once was, so it is forcing the sale of the Packard. I think my Father is going to miss it, but it just sits there and no one shows it anymore.

azasadny · azasadny's Garage

Nice!!!

mikeesik · 03-14-2012, 05:42 PM

Nice old car.-I am a huge fan.
Sorry about your Father.

Oh Haha · 03-14-2012, 05:46 PM

Absolutely perfect day today in Michigan!!

I took the SC out last weekend for a shakedown run before driving it more. Started right up and ran perfectly, just like when I put it away.

Von-that's sad that you have to sell your Dad's Packard. Could you maybe take him out for a ride before it sells?

mikeesik · 03-14-2012, 07:35 PM

Just asking- How VERY original is the vehicle.
How long has your Father owned it.
Was he the one who restored it.
So-so nice.
Who cares -BUT my dream car is a model T 1927 speedster racing roadster.

ZOO · 03-15-2012, 03:53 AM

I had the Miata out on Monday -- but I think I will leave the Lotus inside for another couple of weeks. Some roads are still so sandy and my municipality seems to use a lot more gravel than I remember.

Sadly it has rained all night -- so no topless drive today.

yellowperil · 03-15-2012, 04:12 AM

You guys are lucky, we're having a nasty little storm today in the northeast. Might be nice again for the weekend.

vonsmog · 03-15-2012, 04:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeesik

Just asking- How VERY original is the vehicle.
How long has your Father owned it.
Was he the one who restored it.
So-so nice.
Who cares -BUT my dream car is a model T 1927 speedster racing roadster.

My Dad is the second owner! He picked it up in 1963. I remember the day he got it, as the old gentleman who sold him the car wanted to make sure my Dad was not going to turn it into a hotrod. At the time Dad had a 1914 Model T that he restored, so the seller felt safe selling it to Dad, and he paid $300.00 for the car! I can remember my three brothers and I in the back seat and Mom and Dad taking us for rides all around town for the first few years he had it. Then the radiator puked out, so Dad had it recored, but never put it back in. So the car just sat in the garage, waiting to be fixed. Then it was moved up to the company warehouse, and then down to the barn at the farm. In 1983, I got this idea to get it out and repaint it for my wedding. So I got it running, stripped the paint and repainted, and had the chrome redone. The sign on the back at the wedding could have read "Wet Paint" instead of "Just Married", it was that close!! Dad drove it around for a few more years to shows and such until the motor let go. So he sent it off to a shop that did nothing but Packards. They removed the body, and completely restored the chassis, leaving no stone unturned! It took three years, and some coin, but the mechanics and chassis are perfect. The interior is mostly original and in great shape, but the paint needs to be redone now to match the chassis, to be a real show car. But if someone is looking for a great driver, this is it. We will miss it, but I never drive it, as its more like work, than fun! Not like a Porsche or driving the Unimogs at all.