Well - to bring this thread back to life after a little more than a month from when I started it - I've finally done the deed and purchased a 1955 Patrician....and not just any Patrician, but this one:


https://packardinfo.com/xoops/html/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=18714&forum=10

After things didn't work out with the other one Fred Kanter himself reached out to me and asked if I would be interested in purchasing this lovely, original car from his & Dan's own collection.

I couldn't believe my luck, the opportunity and the fact that Fred even thought to offer this car to me.

It comes home on Tuesday after a little minor work and some tweaking to get it running right after a long slumber.....there were a few hiccups which weren't at all related to the car (I've been cursing USAA for 2 weeks now). But now I can finally say I'm the man who owns one...and it's because of Fred & Dan.

Absolutely, I definitely learned to trust but verify. The next car I looked at (story to follow) I sure to look at in person.

It was the 320 engine.

Ok so I went and checked it out today, and brought along a fellow enthusiast. To lead off with, I won't be purchasing this Packard. Yes it does have a Clipper engine, but that alone wasn't enough to sway to me the "no" side of things.

The paint is in much worse shape than the pictures show. It is to the point where it's a question of whether or not it has to be repainted or not. There are several rust spots, a six in spot where the paint is completely missing, "eyebrows" look like they may have had filler, it has a sticking lifter and water intrusion to the point where I was able to squeeze water out of the carpet backing.

I'm a bit bummed but no doubt it'll make a great lite project for someone, just not for me, and not at their current price point.

Question: if the Patrician does actually have a Clipper engine installed, what would a reasonable offer be? I already have a figure in mind as to how much I'll drop my offer, but I want to be sure I'm not being unreasonable or too generous.

Also, did the Clipper engines have the same oil aeration issue? Or was that specific to the larger engines?

Trevor

Now that is some interesting history right there! I've never read that and I thought I read everything about Packard. Either way, I'll check the numbers, but if they don't match I won't be swayed....I'll just think about lightening my offer lol

I did find that it was sold in DE in January 2016, so I wonder what this fellow who is selling it was doing with it for a year. It's technically owned by a classic car "dealership" so I'm assuming they saw an underpriced car (on the expired ebay listing it was very underpriced) and a chance to make a good profit - no problem with that at all.

@ Guscha I was just reading that, but I thought they concluded that due to the casting number it was a 352 not a 320.

I'll definitely check it out, thanks I probably would have overlooked it had you not said anything. I wouldn't dismiss the vehicle if it did have a Clipper engine, I would just adjust my price. Also, you're right - you don't purchase a Packard if you're looking for a hotrod.

Pictures of the engine bay show the correct ivory color but I can't see if it has the proper embossing on the valve coves.

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oh, very interesting. I wonder why someone would put a Clipper engine in it.