Words & Photos: John "Gunner" Gunnell
Dan Hennes’ pulled-out-of-the-woods ’29 Packard hot rod stood out from the sports and exotic cars at the “Gathering on the Green” event in Elkhart Lake, Wis., on Sept. 17. After all, other than a few racing cars, it was the only modified vehicle in the prestigious show.
“The car was beyond restoring,” Hennes said. “Packard people said ‘Do what you want with it, because it’s too far gone.”
The Packard sat outside around for four decades. Its chassis had been stored in a barn that suffered a fire. Hennes bought the car for $400, and it took five years to restore. His friends and family members helped with the project.
Hennes channeled it 4-1/2 inches and then lowered the radiator and grille. The cowl was missing, but he found one to copy. The original Packard straight eight was used. Hennes is a body man by trade, so he did all his own sheet metal work. A friend named Chris Festge squirted the paint.
Hennes switched the car to 12-volt electrics. It has a ’55 Chevy distributor and a GM alternator. He made the intake and custom exhausts himself. The carburetors are Ford-Holley units because it had updraft carbs and he wanted downdraft ones. The headlights are from a 1932 or 1933 Hudson. It has Dodge Bros. taillights. The original wheels were split rims and Hennes had them converted to drop centers so he could run radial tires. He added a US. Gear overdrive to get it suitable for highway driving.
The car has a 4.69:1 gear ratio, so Hennes added an overdrive. He retained the stock suspension and even the Bijur automatic chassis lubrication system.
Hennes wanted a period correct look when it came to the color. The car was originally green with black fenders, so he wound up sticking with a shade of green. Some Packard parts were available through Fred Kanter’s Packard Industries, but Hennes could not find interior parts and used Model A Ford seats.
The Gathering on the Green is held at the Osthoff Resort and normally features high-end production cars and a few racing cars and antique motorcycles. With the reactions the hot rod Packard got in Elkhart Lake, Hennes may have paved new ground in regards to getting hot rods invited to the event.