Turning a dusty wreck into a dream machine

Peter Tilley has lived all of his life in south-east Queensland, where his first car was a 1961 Ford 105E Anglia.

The 66-year old says keeping that car got him started on learning about mechanics.

Since then, he’s used his skills to restore his 1953 Packard Clipper four-door sedan, which is known as  Packard’s 26^th Series, manufactured in Detroit, Michigan, in the US.

When did you get it?

I purchased it in a rundown state from a person living in the old electricity substation on Petrie Terrace, overlooking Lang Park in Brisbane, in June 1999.

I was able to get a permit and drive it home with some considerable trepidation but got home in one piece. I found afterwards that, among other things, the brakes were in a sorry state and the automatic transmission was very sick.

I purchased a Packard because my father-in-law used to say how good they were. That was the first time I’d heard of them. I couldn’t afford one of the really good ones from the 1920s or 30s  so I found my ’53 Clipper. The early Packards were considered to be the American equivalent of a Rolls Royce. During WW2 Packard made engines which were used in Spitfires (under licence to Rolls Royce), P51 Mustangs and PT Boats.

Apparently my car had been used in Western Queensland, around Mt Isa, and was full of red dust in every crevice, so the first thing I did was to strip everything out and hose out all the dust, several times, as it seemed to stick to everything. I took great care to dry it properly afterwards to stop any chance of rusting.

What have you done to it since?

I have rebuilt the brakes, re-chromed the bumpers and grille, new paint, new headlining, seats and carpet, including in the boot. The Packard “Ultramatic” auto transmission was rebuilt using a kit from the US.

The engine was in good condition so I just cleaned and repainted everything in the engine bay. Since then I’ve had the radiator re-cored.

The wipers used an old, very inefficient system using vacuum from the motor so I installed an electric wiper motor under the dash which mates into the original system. This involved many hours with my head under the dash and my feet in the air hanging over the back of the seat. It’s not easy trying to measure and fit things upside down!

It originally had a six-volt battery system but I changed it to the modern 12-volt standard for easier starting and being able to fit modern accessories.

How much work goes into its upkeep?

When all the bugs had been found it was quite reliable, as it is a very well-engineered car. Everything is solid and nothing gets stressed. Being 64 years old now, there is usually something which needs some attention. It does need more maintenance than a modern car.

It has never let me down while driving. Even though it has developed problems a couple of times while on a club run, it has always made it home – twice in about 16 years on the road is not bad.

Do you know the history of this car?

I don’t know much about it’s history except, as I said, it spent some time on the dirt roads out west. I was told that it was rescued from a car wreckers at Glen Innes. It had what looked like a bullet hole through one of the side windows.

It is right-hand drive and looks like it was made in the factory like that, so I suspect that it was imported into Australia when new. Any import afterwards would be LHD.

What unique/special features does it have?

I like my Packard because it is different and rather rare. One has to be inventive when repairing and restoring items for it. It is amazing though what you can find in stores like Supercheap Auto that can be changed or adapted to suit.

It has a huge 327 cubic-inch, straight-eight cast-iron engine with eight cylinders in a row. It has a special sound and it sounds great as we idle past people with that powerful burble coming from the engine. It can easily seat six people and is a very smooth cruiser. It is a real head-turner!

I think that it’s retired now so I don’t push it hard and just let it cruise along. It’s not uncommon to get toots and waves from other road users.

What is your favourite car?

My favourite car would probably be a 1969 HK Holden Monaro. Unfortunately, I didn’t get one before the prices skyrocketed so I missed out on owning one.

Why are you interested in cars?

I like repairing and restoring mechanical things. For me the joy is more in the process of saving and restoring something, including a car, rather than driving it when finished. I am always thinking of something else I could do to it.

I also have a couple of stationary engines waiting for attention.

Antique clocks and pocket watches have been an interest since my early 20s. That went into a hiatus when the family came along but I am digging them out of their boxes now and getting interested again, although I have found that my eyesight for the fine details is not what it used to be.

What are the challenges and highlights of doing your own restoration work?

I like doing my own restoration work because of the feeling of satisfaction I get when I see something which was ready to be dumped, transformed into something bright and gleaming and ready for another useful life.

I like acquiring new skills like spray painting, welding, French polishing and lathe work.

I even did a blacksmithing course to learn about working metals and heat treatments. Although I would never claim to be anything like the trade professionals, I can usually get by. Having a background in electricity and electronics also helps.

Do you have any early memories of cars or driving that you would like to share?

I remember when I was about 5 we had an old Standard car and we went to visit my grandmother in Southport. Somewhere along the road at around where Daisy Hill is now the exhaust pipe fell off.  My father found some fencing wire along the farmer’s fence line and wired the exhaust back on, and off we went again with a bit more noise and smell inside.

We used to stop at the Beenleigh Bakery for fresh white bread and possibly a pie.

What would be your dream car?

My dream car would be an early Porsche 911. I like the lines and the racing pedigree.

Do you have any tips for other car enthusiasts?

My restoration tips would be to not be in a hurry. Timetables just don’t work and everything takes so much longer that you expect. There are always unexpected hold ups.

The internet is a very good resource these days for information – car forums and eBay etc for parts.

Join a car club. There are many very knowledgeable people out there who have experience and also the contacts to help you along. I am a member of the SouthWest Brisbane Motoring Club.

If in doubt, before dismantling something, take photos of it – they’re invaluable when re-assembling, especially if some time has passed.

After 18 years with us, the Packard is up for sale as we are getting funds together to buy a caravan (it’s that time of life!).  

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