[Closed] Packard V12 by Auto Replicas (pics)

Superb build David. Who did that for you?

Just kidding. Can I ask hour many hours you think it took? Not counting drying time of course. The color you chose is great. Perfect luster too. Like all Auto Replicas they never made very deep lines for doors and panels. I've learned to re-scribe my doors on metal models. Those doors become almost invisible in some views. And I don't mean to criticize. There's plenty of readers here who would never make any attempt at building a kit. (You know who you are.) So bravo!

Yes, great job, David! I too would like to hear more about your "building experience

Great color choices!

+1 !

Great work David!

A few (?) words on building this Auto Replicas Packard...

Barry Lester (Mr. Auto Replicas himself) wrote a little about his Packards, and I was lucky enough to find his words on the web. (See http://www.1-43.net/ for Auto Replicas section) His first (not dated but probably about 1980) was the Roadster; it was built on Adrian Swain's pattern as AR16. It was also the first AR model that I built, perhaps 20 years later.
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The second was AR24a, named as the Packard 12 limousine. Interestingly, Mr. Lester lists these as 1938 models. Jerry Rettig in AMERICAN WHEELS uses 1937 as the model year, and I thought they were 1936 versions. This point I'm still checking out. Anyhow, several years ago I found and built the limousine, I think when I was recovering from knee replacement surgery.
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I show the rear for that's where the major changes were made by Auto Replicas in changing the roadster into a sedan. Sometimes in the 80's, Mr. Lester modified the limo into the tourer which I have just completed, AR24b. And then he added, in his own words, "yet another variation!" It was my favorite, the Town Sedan that I build a couple of years ago, AR24c.
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So now I have all four.
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The Tourer was the most difficult. While it had never been attempted (I bought it used on eBay), it had been loosely stored. It seems that the sides, especially the left, had warped. The basic body of the 4-door versions all use the same method of assembly, being two sides, 2 front fenders, hood, grill, and trunk lid. None of these pieces interlock, and neither does the undercarriage (2 pieces of floor and chassis) provide more than a minimal lock.

Because of the warp, I assembled and then disassembled the body at least six times, repainting it twice in the process. The windshield frame/dashboard is another separate casting, and this one I took from a spare roadster kit that I had. Other spares also became necessary in the process.

Somewhere during this period of over two months (I gave up twice and left it for as much as a week!), I again learned to appreciate white metal. With great care, it can be gently bent, warped, straightened, drilled, filled, caressed, and even cursed in a most forgiving manner. I confess to all of the above.

So I have finished the last Packard of the four, and there is no fifth. The only other American car (my collection's emphasis) by Auto Replicas is the '55 Chevy, and I've seen it. I don't think it was one of Barry Lester's better accomplishments.

What's next? Well, I just saw a Mikansue model that while it's not American, still looks kind of interesting. We will see. . .

Thanks, gentlemen, for letting me run on. Forum 43's moderator, management, and members are most kind.

Thanks for the thoughtful post. Liked your background on Barry Lester, humour and photos

Randall, forgive my poor memory. I just turned to your fine INDEPENDENTS IN MINIATURE to find that you pictured (page 67) three of these four. Not only that, they were built by Jerry Rettig and expanded to include one of his fine modifications. I like his work and have a few examples. Now my evening's reading is set- it's been too long since I spent time with this fine book.

Thanks! I had forgotten those photos. Jerry's one-off was a landaulet with a partially open passenger compartment. I too used to have some of his Packards based on the Solido '37 version. I do think these Auto Replicas are more accurate than the Solido's but a devil to assemble.

Interesting read, David. You have built some very fine models, and done it well.

They all look fantastic. Great job David.

Great job David. I love your color choice.