The Sloan book is available in paperback:

"My Years with General Motors" by Albert P. Sloan, Jr.
ISBN 0-385-04235-3

While an interesting history of the growth of infant technology to a very large and mature industry, I agree with the comment that is a much better business process book than an entertaining read of the history of the auto industry.

FYI, production Orders for the 1956 model year are available as noted in a copy of the email below:




Dear Mike,

We would have the PO for the 1956 ($40), but not for the earlier cars. You can order them through the Museum Store (888) 391-5600.

Thanks!

Andy

Andrew Beckman, Archivist
Studebaker National Museum
201 S. Chapin St.
South Bend, IN 46601
(574) 235-9714 x226
www.studebakermuseum.org

Thanks Mr. Pushbutton for the link and the other post on this subject.

Hi to BH,
I checked the Autolite website but could not find the link to the 56 Packard Transmission posting you referenced. Could you find the site and post a copy of the internet link to the site? Thanks!

Kev,
What's the process for notifying you or the software when an "unidentified" car is identified by a member?
Mike

There is a 54 Packard Patrician current for sale on Ebay. There are a number of good photos that are posted with the car. However, I don't believe the interior is covered in the original factory material. You could "ask a question of the seller" in the Ebay posting options and find out if it is an original interior. Hope you are have found all the info you need to make an informed decision.

Based on the PAC website, the engine number series for the 1954 Cavalier was M400011 to M402638. Therefore it appears your engine maybe the original to the car. Check the production number on the stainless nameplate on the drivers side door door jam on the side of the front fender. The production number wil be 5472-XXXX. There you will also find the paint and upholstery trim codes. You can find info about these codes also on the Pac website. Go to www.packardclub.org. From that site you will see that your engine is a 5 main bearing, 185hp, inline 8. The engines were allocated from lowest to highest production number as the model year progressed. At first blush it looks like you may have a very early production 54 Cavalier. Best wishes and I hope you enjoy developing your "find" into a really comfortable and enjoyable automobile.
Happy Packarding

Hi,
There is quite a bit of information on this website that will help you assess the 54 Patrician. In the main menu you can use the "Packard Model Info" section to take you to the technical and production information on the car. There is also a link to a sales brochure and the paint chips for that model year you can determine if the vehicle is painted an original color. Also on this website in the main menu is a section "Packard Pictures". Photos 22,23,24,25,26,44,45,46, and 50 are of a 1954 Patrician. In photos 22-26 it is noted that the hood ornamanet is incorrect, which is true. The hood ornament in these pictures is likely from a 1951 Patrician 400 or 300 series. There is information on the PAC website www.packardclub.org that will also help. The vehicle ID plate is a stainless plate mounted on the front fender side of the drivers side door jam. There you will find the production number, paint and upholstery trim codes. The engine block should be painted bronze as will be the transmission. The engine is a further evolution of the tried and true Packard In-Line 8 but with an aluminum head and a higher compression ratio to help stretch the engine to 212hp. The original interior material is strikingly beautiful.

If you go to www.nada.com there is a section that provides estimated values for collector cars. As with any any collector car it is only worth what a seller can collect, so these are truly guides since there is not always a robust supply and demand marketplace setting the value of these cars. According to the current NADA listing, a low retail price is $6,025; average retail is $13,150, and high retail is $20,800.

I have never owned a 54 Patrician, however, I do have a 51 Patrician 400 and it is an extremely comfortable car to drive. It gets lot so looks, it has seating for 6 comfortably, parts are available and moderately expensive, and the 54 lacks the relative complexity of the features found in the 55/56 V-8 (I own a 56 Patrician and it is also a great car, but a significantly differnt car). The V-8 Club members I'm sure can better differntiate the 54 In-Line 8 and its performance at 212hp versus the V-8 in basically the same body at 260-290hp.

Good luck.