Story and photos by Mark Wing

Larry’s work party on this first Saturday of the month was well attended and abuzz with activity with projects ranging from front spindle bushings, main bearing cap fitting, running board assembly, generator rebuilding, valve adjustment, and engine pan restoration.

Jeff Richards brought his grandson, Oliver, to a work party for the first time and together they were reaming bronze kingpin bushings for his recently purchased 1925 Model T coupe. We hope to see young Oliver at a lot of club functions in the future!

Frank Lewark and Leonard Scarborough, were using files and bearing scrapers to clean up the recently poured babbitt on the main bearings. Frank used one of Larry’s smaller lathes to remove just the right amount of material from the main bearing caps to establish the approximate 0.002″ of crankshaft end play.

Roger Burton and Steve Krantz volunteered to work on Larry’s 1917 pickup truck, a vehicle acquired and restored by Larry’s father in the 1940’s. This pickup was used as a “take-apart-car”, so it had a lot of incorrect fasteners and was missing many cotter pins. Roger and Steve methodically removed the incorrect fasteners and and installed the right ones. The Ruckstell axle shift lever and linkage were also reattached.

Among the other projects on this day was Kirk Peterson rebuilding a generator. Dave Ferro was continuing work on his 1927 speedster engine. Dave was adjusting the valves for proper clearance. Mark Wing is working on a 1913 touring car project. On this day, an early narrow-nosed pan was getting a new teacup oil drain brazed on by Larry. The brazing job turned out beautifully and the pan will need further work in preparation for painting and treatment with Gyptal red enamel.

Everyone also got a chance to view a rare car that Larry recently transported back from his parents former home in Gilroy, CA. The classic car in question is a very elegant and unique 1938 Packard 12 cylinder Touring Cabriolet. Only 4 Touring Cabriolets were built in 1938. The body is by Brunn & Co., of Buffalo, NY., the same coachbuilders that made bodies for marques such Lincoln. Brunn & Co. closed their doors in 1941.

Larry’s father acquired the car over 4 decades ago in a car trade plus some additional cash. This car was thought to have been missing by Packard experts and represents the only 1938 Packard 12 Touring Cabriolet still in original condition. Larry’s plan is to reassemble the car, clean, detail, and enjoy driving it. The engine was already been rebuilt by Larry and his father over a period of a couple of decades. They would only work on this classic when Larry was in town during the holidays or during his visits to Northern California. We’re all anxiously awaiting the the reassembly of this car which has already caused a “buzz” in the local antique and classic car community.

Thank you Larry for holding this enjoyable and productive work party!