President's Packard

Description for Packard 1926

This is a very rare 1926 Packard Limousine that was previously owned by the President and Strongman of Honduras. The information on the vehicle is listed below.

VIN #: 96824

Exterior: Black and Maroon

Interior: Tan Top Grain Leather, xcellent Condition

Engine: 6 Cylinder, riginal Rebuilt Engine

Manual Transmission: 3 Speed

Actual Miles unknown: 2909 miles on odometer

New Tires

Jump Seats

Rear mounted spare tire

Running Boards

Serial Numbers:

· Engine: 96996

· Front Axle: D-11555-14

· Steering Serial # : 97194

· Frame serial #: 96965

· Carburetor Serial #: P-5882

· Clutch and transmission serial #: 97049

· Rear Axle Serial #: 96870

History:

This vehicle was originally purchased new from Knickerbocker Auto Warehouse, ew York in 1926 and shipped to Honduras by General Triburcio Carias Andino, ho became President/Dictator in 1932.

General Carias used this car for transportation and in 1932, on the election for the Honduran Nationalist Party and took office in this vehicle.

The car remained in his family until 1975 when it was purchased by two gentlemen in the USA. The restoration began in 1984. In 1991, ne of the partners obtained full control and ownership and finished the restoration in 1994.

Since the roads outside the capital city of Tegulcigulpa were not paved until the late 1950's, he car was used primarily in the small city area, esulting in original mileage of less than 3000 miles.

Almost all of the components are original. The paint is to the original Packard formulation. The engine runs flawlessly. The following is a narrative of what was done in the 1994 restoration process:

Engine:

The engine was completely torn down and rebuilt. It was not necessary to change piston rings, od bearings or main bearings. All were original and in good shape due to the low mileage. The oil pump is original as is the water pump with new packing. Replaced the cylinder head gasket, eplaced the generator and starter. Replaced the wiring system and hand soldered al connections. The seller believes the engine conforms to the original manufacturer's specifications.

Frame:

The body was removed and the frame was cleaned and painted. The front axle and springs were removed, leaned and lubricated. The transmission was checked and found to be working. The clutch was relined. The steering gear housing was disassembled, leaned, nd is in perfect condition. The rear axle was checked and is OK. The drive shaft was replaced. The fuel tank is the original but it was lined to prevent leaks.

Brakes:

The brake drums are at standard measurement and have never been turned. The shoes were relined and installed new seals. The car has five new correct period tires. All shock absorbers were repaired and function well.

Interior:

The dashboard instruments, witches, peedometer, tc. are in working order and were cleaned and repaired. The wood grain was redone. The seats, oor and headliners have been re-upholstered with finest grade leather. (A Packard authority advised that export vehicles normally had leather upholstery for eye appeal, omfort and to avoid problems with termites in the tropics).

Body Restoration:

The body was completely restored by a master craftsman in Colorado. Every detail is believed to be original design. Painting and stripes have been meticulously applied using original Black and Maroon Packard paint formulas. Gold leaf used for stripes.

The running boards are original metal with new wood, inoleum and moldings. The wooden door frames on the two right hand doors have been repaired (termite damage). All doors have complete windows, echanisms and handles.

All exterior components of the body are complete. The fenders, heels, tc. were stripped, rimed and painted and stripes were applied by hand. The body has very little rust. The head and tail lights are complete. The radiator motometer is complete and functional. All chrome parts have been meticulously re-plated.

Current owner history

I purchased the vehicle in 2000 from the 3rd owner. I put less than 50 miles on the vehicle, railering the car to Packard events. After the third year of ownership, was transferred to Texas and the car was stored for the past 11 years.

2014 Refresh

In early 2014, he car required a refresh due to the long period of time it had been in storage. I engaged Aires Restorations to perform the work. They reworked the fuel system, lectrical system, epaired the horn and installed 5 new period correct tires. The brakes were repaired and the drums machined. In addition, hey re-manufactured and painted the 4 hub assemblies, leaned and painted the engine, nd performed various miscellaneous bodywork repairs, ringing the car's condition to its current excellent status.

Defects:

The following are the items that should be addressed to complete this restoration:

· Clock: The clock was missing from the instrument panel. After months of searching, found a replacement clock (not working). The clock needs to be sent out for repair and installed in the dash. A glass cover needs to be found or fabricated to cover that portion of the instrument cluster. (see photos)

· Upholstery: There is a very small cut in the front seat and a small defect on one of the jump seats. (see photos)

· To be perfect, replacement for the horn button needs to either be fabricated or located. Currently, here is an aftermarket horn button on the vehicle.

Scarcity:

The previous owner researched this year and model and have turned up only 2 others, ne in Louisiana, nd the other in England. Original production was approximately 500 vehicles. This is a true collector car with an historic background and is a fine example of the quality and craftsmanship of the Packard Motor Car Company.