Original Spark Plug Wires?

[Dougie]

My recently acquired 62 Lark 6 cyl has brown spark plug wires that say "Packard radio sup" on them. they look to be in pretty good shape. Are these original wires?

[jclary]

In the world of "Corporate Family Trees," you would be hard pressed to keep up with the changes, direction, or just what you'll find. Somewhere in my jumbled and cluttered memory is that "Packard Wire" was and still could be a major supplier of automotive wiring products. I think I even have a spool of "Packard" wire in my "Man Cave." If I had a set of plug wires that had Packard on them I would be pleased to show them off as long as they were performing well. However, I would replace them in a "skinny minute" if they were not delivering the desired results. As to whether they were supplied with the car originally, I would say it is possible but I really don't know.

[Bud]

There should be a date code on the wires, it should look something like 2Q62 if they are the original wires. I remember the wires that were on my father's 62 Hawk when it was new were Autolite and they were a reddish brown color. Bud

[r1lark]

If they are the original red wires, look under one of the distributor boots (where the surface of the wire has been protected) and you will see they were actually even more red when new.

[studegary]

I don't remember the original '63-'64 dark red wires as having "Packard" on them for Packard Wire. I believe that you have replacements. The wires do last longer on a six than on a V8.

[barnlark]

Originals on the '62 prototypes:

[StudeRich]

Yes those are the Correct ORIGINAL Prestolite 7mm cables with the Mfg. date on them. They were MAROON.

[Maynard]

How do you decipher the date code? Is it week and year?

[StudeRich]

See Bud's post above.

[Bud]

Plug wires have the date code figured in quarters, for example a wire with 1Q63 would have been produced in the first quarter of 1963. Bud

[GTtim]

What is the source of these pictures?

[58PackardWagon]

My 64 Commander Wagon had the original plug wires. Look just like the larger pics above. Car had 32,000 on it. Now sold and in a private collection in FL. It must of been the heat or the motor or dirt flying around that caused them to look almost like a brown/red color.

[mbstude]

What is the source of these pictures?

Barnlark's pictures are of one of the Avanti-inspired Stude prototypes that are in the National Museum. Those cars have very little miles on the clock, if any.