Blog

This has been busy week since I had two jobs scheduled:  driving a young couple to their prom on Thursday and a Wedding on Saturday. Seems simple but the prep was extensive.  As I mentioned before, properly maintaining an vintage automobile is essential.  Dependable they are, but they need proper care to deliver trouble free touring.

Early in the week I went over the mechanics to check for possible issues and then lubricated the front end.  There are over 20 individual lubrication points just on the front end parts.  This was in addition to a top to bottom cleanup:  interior and exterior polishing all of the beautiful chrome, spray waxing the paint and keeping those wide whitewalls snowy white.  

The first view of the Packard is always worth the price of the admission!  The job for the Prom included a stop at what they called the "Grand Entrance". There were people everywhere as the attendees made their arrival in stretch limos, BMW's, Mercedes, convertibles and hot roads.  As we approached the "Grand Entrance"  those in attendance slowly turned and admired the old Packard as we lumbered our way through the crowd and the tight streets of the old Pittsburgh neighborhood.  The other cars were nice, but there is nothing like a vintage Packard!  The coup de grace was when I unrolled the red carpet that was provided by the young man's mother.  At least five different parents came to me asking for a business card.  

The wedding required arrival after the ceremony started so when the guest left the church they would see the day's transportation. Again, the reactions were predictable but just as enjoyable.  In addition I always do my best to answer questions and to provide "car talk" to the guys (and girls) who are interested.  I always get a chuckle when some asks me "Who made the Packard Clipper?".  

The bride and groom and the wedding party completed their pictures and then the new couple embarked on their trip to the local country club for the wedding party. The ride was flawless and the new couple looked perfect in the spacious rear cabin area.   The route selected by the groom included a few very tight down hills turns that made driving seem more like navigating.  At speed she is easy to drive but low speed navigation takes some effort since there is no power assistance of any type for the brakes or steering.

Once we arrived at the club the photographers started the process!  The pictures should be fabulous and the groom promised me that he would share some of the choice photos so I can post them on this site.