Max Merrit used to offer "Packard" key blanks that you can have cut by your local locksmith.

5682, PB

I suspect that this info is already on the site, but, here goes again.

The Studebaker Museum in South Bend has copies of the production orders for most of the 1956 (and only 1956) Packards. Included in the production order is a list of the accessories included on the car, its first dealer and shipping location, the key numbers and sometimes a handwritten note mentioning the date the car was completed.

The info is available for senior cars, I'm not sure about Executives or Clippers. Andrew Beckman is the archivest at the museum.

If you would like a copy of your car's production order, call the museum's gift shop and give them your production number. They advertise 4 to 6 weeks to respond, however, I have received them back within two weeks.

The cost is $40.00 per production order plus postage.

Some other potential parts suppliers:

Mike Dotson
Anaconda, MT
ebay: atr-sp
email: atr_1@msn.com

David Moe
Seattle Packard
dmoeenterprises@cs.com

Good luck. Use the network of people who support this site. There are some very experienced Packard experts who are willing to help you.

The 55 Caribbean was a custom order with a non-standard paint and non-standard trim, so I guess they just left it blank.

Your are correct, the body number does start with a C not a G. Sorry 'bout that.

Have a great day.

Not my "400". It's a photo from an Ebay listing I kept.

You are correct. Original data plates were spot welded. This was the first photo in my file.

Here's a correctly attached data plate, but from my Caribbean.

I have another body number for your records:

5478-2271/G76967

Attach file:

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The following is a data plate for a "400", but your Patrician data plate should look trhe same except it will start with 5582

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There is a 1949 two=tone (White/Green) for sale on Ebay. See the link below for another look at a two tone style. By the way, another opinion...it's your car, pick a color to make yourself happy!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cars-Trucks___1949-Packard-2200-Series-Standard-8-Touring-Sedan-AZ_W0QQitemZ250363837777QQddnZCarsQ20Q26Q20TrucksQQddiZ2282QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash=item250363837777&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=65%3A7%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

Robert, I have a "Selling Fundamentals" ringbinder from 1948 that is a part of the Packard Master Salesmanship Program series. 90% of the book is dedicated to the art of salesmanship. The techniques would work for selling refrigerators, life insurance, or houses. I could send you the sections that were specific to the '48 Packard if it would be helpful. Let me know.

Many of us have our Fiat frame of reference based on the Fiat cars built in the 1950's and 1960's. I can remember in the mid 1960's when the owner of a used car lot in my home town swallowed hard and made the $3000 investment to buy a sign, the only requirement at that time to get a Datsun dealership. The Fiat sold in Europe today is not the Fiat of the 1960's just like the Datsun 1600 bears no resemblance to its successor of today. I think the big winners in this deal will be Chrysler's USA dealership network who will have more products to sell. Here's hoping for success for both Chrysler and Fiat and maybe a 15 million car USA market again in the next 5 years. "A rising tide floats all boats".