Last October 2017, a lady called from the Baltimore Museum of Industry and explained that they were looking for a presentable old car that they could use for a new exhibit. Is there any chance that I would have any old car that I could donate? Right away I thought of the `53 Packard, stored outside under covers. Five years ago I spent $8,000.00 on parts and months of work time on restoration, just to find out that all the brake lines were clogged and the engine burns oil. I decided that it didn’t make sense to put more money and time into the project and drove it out and covered it well. I put the good tires on another car, and kept the seats and new carpets inside, away from mice. There it sat. When it had to be moved, it would still start and drive but was covered again, for years. Then when the big show hit, a tree fell on it putting an ugly dent into the roof.
The museum sent the creator of the exhibit, Wayne Nicolette of XIBITZ, to come see if the car would work to help tell the story of Fueling the Automotive Age. He loved the old fifties look of the car and the brand new green upholstery and carpets; said it was exactly what he was looking for. So he built this fabulous display of old cars, gas pumps and a gas station, TV’s telling the story of how bigger and better gas stations were built everywhere to supply cars and trucks all across the country. The Packard was shined up, the dents taken out, fresh paint, sitting right next to a gas pump, where children could pretend to put the gas in, or sit in the car, roll the windows up and down and turn the big steering wheel. The museum had a grand opening event where my name was announced as the donor and everyone applauded. I was a hero for a few moments. Of course Wayne and his wife Debby were the real heroes, they did all the work to tell this amazing story. A few months later I saw Anita Kassof, the director of BMI and she said, – that car is the most popular thing in this museum!
Recently I read that the Baltimore Museum of Industry has a new display all about Bethelehem Steel. I grew up in Baltimore City and visited there with the Cub Scouts and later with the Boy Scouts, so I read the whole thing and admired it so much I called the Museum and gave my name and told the lady answering how much I like the new display. She said ” I know who you are” “You donated our `53 Packard car for Fueling the Automotive Age”. That car is still the most popular exhibit in this entire museum! – No wonder the upholstery is worn out! What a treat to have done that.
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