Stuart: Welcome to the the this web site and the forum. If you take time to explore this site. You will find a good deal of information on 55 and 56 Packard's. If you have any technical questions there are a couple of people in here that I consider to be just about experts on 55 and 56 Packard's. They are always willing to help and give advice when asked. Certainly looks like a very nice car that you have purchased.

The Societa Anonima Carrozzeria Pinin Farina established in Turin on May 22 1930. Founded by Battista Farina whom prefered to be called Pinin. One of the persons that talked Pinin into open his own shop was Vincenzo Lancia. Lanci along with Giovanni Battista De valle, Gaspare Bono, Pietro Monateri, and Arrigo De Angeli helped support the Society.

John F. Shireman

Welcome, and I hope you get a lot of enjoyment out of your Packard. Original tires were biased-belted, 8:00 x 15 and apparently 8:20 x 15 was an option, though I'm not absolutely certain of that. The radial tire size you mentioned is commonly substituted for non-show cars.

I don't know if you can get a carpet set EXACTLY the same as the original, though the kits that Bill Hirsch sells are good fits and in the appropriate color can come pretty close for all models but the Caribbean.

Very nice car, welcome to the Website. I am sure you will find gentlemen here that can help you with any questions that you may have.

You will also find a wealth of information in the articles section for the 1956 series/model year.

A little about me: I'm a retired college professor, having taught at Cambridge in England for 20+ years. Just turned 60 years old. Returned to the US in 1997 to take care of my mother who was ill. She passed away in 1999. I was born in Geneva, Switzerland, moved to England when 3. Moved to England when 7. Moved to Chicago in 1954, and was there until 1968, when I graduated Northwestern. From 1968 until 1997, spent 75% of my time in Europe and 25% in the US.

My car's ('56 Packard Patrician) info is now on the register list here.

My area of expertise is oddball Italian sports-racing cars, Alfas, Fiats, and Lancias from the 1930s though the 1960s. I am considered one of the world's experts on Italian sports car auto racing history. I know something about 50s American cars, but am FAR from an expert.

This is my first big American car, and first American car in at least 20 years. My last American car was a 1970 Pontiac Trans-Am Ram Air V (nope, don't still have it, sold it around 1978)

I am also trying to find a big "needs nothing" Nash Ambassador, as Pininfarina, and Italian company, designed the bodies from circa 1952 through 1956. My favorite would be a '56, but I have only seen 2 of them in the last 30 years!

Questions:
What size tires were original to the Packard? The car currently has 235/75x15s

Where can I get rubber door and trunk seals, as this these are the only things needed fairly badly? Do they have to be custom made by someone like Wefco in Santa Monica, California?

Where can I get the proper carpet material, or have a correct set made up?


Comments: This is a NW US car, and it only has about 60,000 original miles. The only body damage is right at the point the driver's side rear skirt attaches, hence the skirts sitting in the trunk.

Paint is slightly faded with some minor chipping and down to the primer in some small sports, interior is near mint original.

I'm the 5th owner. The motor was rebuilt 2 owners/about 10 years ago.

Thanks all in adavance for your help.

PS: Will probably have some spares as soon as I get to sort out what is in the trunk, which includes a lot of old club magazines, small parts, etc...

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The only reference I'm aware of with regard to 1955 Utica Plant engine codes is in TSB 55T-19, and it doesn't provide much useful info. It states three code prefixes, A, B, and C which one might assume are Clipper, Packard, and Caribbean respectively.

I guess I take the Big Dummy Award. I only got a 70. But is there a handicap for having 3 Grandkids in the room at the same time you take the test?

Right. I don't recall this being reported on any club's roster (which can only be as accurate as the observer who submitted the details), but I figured one could check transmission equipment against the engine prefix - provided the block had not been replaced.

Years ago, I was surprised to find a Four Hundred with O.D. trans at an annual show in Western Penna., and I seem to recall seeing a clutch pedal on a Carib, but can't recall whether they were 55th or 56th Series cars. Mind you, that was long before I had that letter/attachment; I hadn't paid much attention to the Utica numbers then and didn't know enough to look deeper.

Also, I've seen a lot of engines on cars offered on eBay that appear to have been swapped or at least painted the wrong color.

Having correct prefix assignments for '55s, as well, could help with authentication.

BigKev -

I personally prefer the time-shifting nature of the Forum, but know that there are a lot of Packard folk out there who miss the format of the Live Chat on the old CC site.

Without a doubt, PackardInfo.com is shaping up to be the PREMIERE site for Packard enthusiasts - best of all it's FREE!

Though most likely we'll never be able to truly know with certainty, I suspect that there were no 56 Caribbeans equipped by the factory with standard shift. It is possible that a conversion would have been undertaken by a willing dealer in order to clinch a sale, not unlike the 400s and other models that have the 2x4 carburetor setup that owners claim to be factory but in the absence of a build sheet to prove it, most probably were not.

G'day John, I WISH that it WAS a 36 (150hp straight Eight), unfortunately it is a DE27 (110hp six). It is a Freestone and Webb hand built Aluminium body on a 138 inch wheelbase and there were only ever two made in non divider window. It has Bijur chassis lubrication, built in jacking system, 3 windscreen wipers and weighs in a just under 3 (THREE!!!!) tons unladen and drives exactly the same as my 533 Packard ( late 1927). I swapped a 1927 Harley for the car in a moment of weakness, and I am about to see it go. However, after seeing how well it blew out the radiator on Mal's 38,120 I am of two minds as to keeping the car. The prospective purchaser is due down this weekend so I shall do the Ettore Bugatti thing and assess if he is suitable to acquire it. Best regards Peter Toet .