The Project Continues 58 J Body Hardtop

[JayBird]

Wheels and caps painted

[Buzzard]

Kenneth,
Some really fine work here. Congratulations on getting near the finish line. It amazes me that your dashboard is virtually the same as my '57 Clipper Wagon, and in great shape too.
Bill

[JayBird]

A little more bling on the trunk. Interior shaping up, center vents installed. Cooler for a battery box

[JayBird]

Working on the console

[JayBird]

Radiator and fans installed, working through the vent window issues. The bad news is that the mock battery will not fit

[JayBird]

I agree; the 58 Packard Hawk should have had the Packard 374 with dual carbs, and we know a Packard V-8 will fit because it did in the 56. Has anyone put a 374 in a 58 Packard Hawk?

[PackardV8]

JayBird
Thanks! If I had the time and money, I'd take a 58 2-door Scottsman, change the front and rear to Packard trim and sheet metal, and install a dual quad Packard V8. That's the car they should have made.

Agree, if one were aiming to compete in PureStock MuscleCar Drags.

For profiling, I'd choose the '58 Packard Hawk with the '56 Caribbean 374" with the 2x4-bbls and the Jet Streak Kit.

jack vines

[JayBird]

Thanks! If I had the time and money, I'd take a 58 2-door Scottsman, change the front and rear to Packard trim and sheet metal, and install a dual quad Packard V8. That's the car they should have made.

[PackardV8]

Looking like a spectacular, beautiful 58 J Body Packard hardtop!~! Congrats on boldly going where no man has gone before.

jack vines

[JayBird]

Looking like a 58 J Body Packard Hard Top

[JayBird]

I gutted it to reduce the weight and the plan is to use it as a prop battery in the engine bay as the real battery will now be in the trunk.

[StudeRich]

Are you going to drop a new Optima Group 35 right into that gutted old Willard case ?

[JayBird]

A little side project that I thought would dress up the engine bay a bit. Not sure how this will turn out but I'm giving it a try.

[t walgamuth]

is a kit offered?

[JayBird]

looks like you found a rack and pinion kit for it..? Where did you get it and how is it working if done.

The front frame was replaced with a Gen II Camaro subframe. The rack and pinion assembly is for the Gen II models.