I was looking forward to an update as you haven't posted in a while!

Add the Predictor grille to the Pacer and you've got it set!

That will be a nice birthday gift for Arlene! Good luck with the weather!

"1955 was Packard's last chance to do something bold enough to put their cars back in contention in a major way. The new V8, attractive styling and Torsion-Level were bold, just not quite enough."

Had other things gone differently, what Packard did for '55 might have been enough - the cars were very competitive. Most people thought the '55s were actually a new body, so effective was Teague's restyle of the '51 Reinhart design. But the horrible build quality out of Conner and the oil aeration problems with the V8 torpedoed what could/should have been Packard's turn-around. The decision to build the cars completely at Conner ruined any chance Packard had at gaining back its former glory.

I'm glad you got this car, Troy!
I had watched it on its many appearances on eBay. I wanted it because I've long wanted a solid black '56 Patrician with factory A/C, but I just don't have the means to restore one right now.

I'll be following this car as you work on it just as I'm following your other projects. All the best to you and your Packards!

"Right Mal! 1934 was the only year that Packard incorporated the gas tank filler into the tail light. Something that Chevrolet picked up a few decades later."

... yes, and Cadillac as well.

There is a fine example of the "art of Minerva" in the Blackhawk Museum in Danville. CA.

Good to see an update, Troy!

Anything Pat Foster writes about Packard should be taken not with a grain, but a whole box, of salt. He has a very anti-Packard and extreme anti-Nance bias. He is as bad as the New York Time in distorting the facts to fit his narrative. IMO, Hemmings should not publish anything Foster writes about Packard.

This is truly a loss for Packard aficionados. I had been encouraging him to do a book on the V8 Packards, but each time he frankly told me he didn't have it in him. It would be wonderful if someone picked up the torch and did this.