Ride Nickname:
Miss Mae
Make:
Packard
Model:
200
Year:
1952
Introduction / Overview:
This classy lady is named Miss Mae. She came into my life in March of 2008 when my boyfriend Matthew Means, co-owner of Department of Customz, picked up the Packard as a promise ring/project for us. She was sitting neglected on the side of a house in Buena Park. After we signed the ownership papers over we asked, “Will she make it to Fullerton?’
The prior owner answered, “ I don’t know, I have never driven it that far.” This poor neglected child was in for it, as Matt and I had plans to overhaul her for theViva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekender Car Show, which was only 30 days away! The following day we got her up on the lift and began pulling her apart and never looked back! Many sleepless nights and help from a lot of friends were put into this car, but we managed to get her on the road merely hours before the car show! The trip to Vegas was Miss Mae’s test drive and she did great! We have driven her to Las Vegas and back 3 times now.
Drivetrain:
No Chevy motor for me! My Mayfair embodies the hear and soul of the now extinct Packard, with her original flathead straight eight and ultra-matic transmission. A new overdrive transmission is probably in her near future as I have put a lot of miles on this nearly 60 year old transmission.
Chassis:
Original except air bag Suspension installed by Department of Customz.
Wheels:
Coker Cushion Aire Poly-4 wide white walls with steel wheels and original Packard hubcaps.
Body:
Matthew Means, at Department of Customz, painted the Packard, a custom House of Kolor Kandy blend to match the color of my hair at the time. Gold ice pear can been seen on the roof, dash, engine compartment and wheel wells. The gas filler door has been removed, new rocker panels, rear quarter panels, gravel shield, and patch panels on the floor and roof, were hand-made and welded into place.
Interioir:
New white and red vinyl was added to mimic the original pattern. I removed and re-assembled the dash after it was custom painted. Wearing a face mask and goggles, I ground off the surface rust on the bare metal ceiling and covered in a couple coats of white Rustoleum. Rather than installing a fabric headliner, the interior roof was left like that so that all the people that contributed to the build, and our new found friends, and famous people we meet along the road can sign our traveling year book! I probably have roughly 100 signatures inside the car, ranging from pinup models who have posed with the car, artists, musicians and even the valet at the Anaheim Garden walk has signed the roof of the Packard!
Lifestyles:
Build-It, Drive-It
