The good news is that I found the antenna mast under the front seat. The bad news is that I need some help in learning how to re-attach it. I have both a shop manual and a parts manual and can find the antenna mast in neither. Can anyone help me find a diagram or provide information about installing the mast?

Any and all help appreciated.

Steve in Indiana

Second the last comment on SMS. The door panels for my '62 Bonneville took 13 months and then arrived in the wrong color. When I called about it, I was advised to "use them anyway." Fortunately, my upholsterer was able to dye them in the proper color.

Got it. Thank you!

Are the front fenders all the same from 1951 through 1954? I recently came into ownership of a pair of pretty straight used ones, including inner panels, but I don't know how to advertise them.

Any help appreciated,
Steve in Indiana

So maybe it never was an airport car, and maybe it never was a police car. Another case of caveat emptor I guess.

Yes, I think there is an overdrive relay on the firewall and a black knob under the dash to throw it in and out. It would be an interesting car to own and a fun tour car to take on the road. I may go look if it doesn't sell.

Thanks, guys, for all your input.

Ah. Thanks, Ross.

I wondered why I saw no interior controls for them. That changes the complexion somewhat in my opinion. Police car? Hmmm...

Also, this Patrician is a 1951 model and the pictured window sticker says, "Indianapolis Municipal Airport." But the airport name was changed in 1944 to "H. Weir Cook Airport." The window sticker would have been seven years obsolete in 1951 when the car was new.

In 68 years and 89,000 miles a car can go through a lot of owners and each has a lot of opportunities to make changes.

Seller states that he was told it was an Indianapolis Airport police car. It's close enough to my location that I could go look, I guess. I find it intriguing, but don't really desperately need another Packard. Ask my wife. lol

Point taken. I'm not absolutely sure it was factory. I'm going by appearance only. The steering column shows no provision for the Ultramatic indicator. The steering column also has the Patrician chrome cover, which could have been changed. The pedals appear to be standard Packard clutch-and-brake.

All of this conceivably could have been dealer-installed.

Did Packard offer a police package in 1951? And did anyone ever hear of a police force ordering top of the line? This car is a Patrician and has a stick shift from the factory. It also has dual spotlights, but no other police equipment that I can see.

Does anyone know what this could be? I'm puzzled. I've been in the hobby for 45 years and have only seen two stick-shift Patricians in all that time.

Glad for any education I can get!

Steve in Indiana

Last fall I bought a 1956 400 hardtop. The exterior is painted the original Scottish Heather and Dover White. The carpet is black, but it's loop pile and looks like a replacement. It's also about worn out. I'm wondering whether the car came from the factory with black carpet or perhaps some other color? Was there a selection to go with those exterior colors? Also, is loop pile correct for the car? I thought maybe Packard would have used a plush of some sort. Can carpet be purchased that's ready to install?

A lot of questions, I know, but I'd like to get new carpet and I'd like it to be authentic, so any help will be appreciated.

Thanks,
Steve in Indiana