51 years young here. I grew up in a relatively small town in Oregon. The big dealers in town were Chevrolet and Ford. The Chrysler dealer seemed to always be fledgling. We had a Studebaker-Packard dealership, but it was wiped out during a rather infamous blast in the middle of town in 1958. Dad (who is now 84) always had Chryslers. HIS dad always had Chryslers. My mother's dad always had Chryslers. So, I have always had Chryslers, plus many others. Dad always extolled the fact that Packards were special cars - not everyone could own one. The local transmission guy - a crusty cantankerous sort - had nothing good to say about Ultramatics "Them things is junk - stay away from them heaps" (He said the same thing about Dynaflows too, lol)

Of course, I was born after Packard died out, so to see one was a real treat. I have always wanted one, but could never settle on what year. I knew I couldn't afford a pre-war model. The 48-50 seemed the most plentiful around, but I wanted a special one. Really wanted a 55 400 hardtop. Been close over the years, but never took the plunge. Five years ago, I started looking in earnest. Had a little cash saved - went to an estate auction that had three Packards! A 1937 "baby" Packard, a 1947 Clipper and a 49 Packard. Got outbid every time. Discouragement set in. Looked on Craigslist. Looked on eBay. Looked at a 53 sedan. Got sold out from under me. Looked at a 54 Clipper - too much rust. Looked at a 55 clipper - way too much rust. Finally I gave up. Life happened, money went elsewhere - and so it goes....
I told a buddy, who told a buddy that I was looking for a Packard.
"A Packard? Well I have one I'll sell" So, after several dead ends, I finally have a Packard. It's a 1951 Patrician. Needs everything, but it's MY Packard. Dad is pretty impressed "Oh, you know, not everyone can own one of those - and a PATRICIAN? Those were mighty special cars in their day". My girlfriend calls it "The Beast". I may never get it done, I may never show it, but I think it's pretty special too.

Howard is officially a genius! Got to play "Packard" today. Hooked up the wiring as Howard suggested and, put 12 volts to it, and VIOLA! (Yes, I know it's a 6 volt, but for testing purposes, I used 12.) Starter kicked in as it should and the big old 8 turned over. Now, compression, on the other hand, - didn't sound like what I am used to, so we'll go back next time with some oil and a compression gauge. My thoughts are probably stuck valves.
Thanks again, Howard!

This gives me something to try. Thanks so much Howard!!!

Might be a silly question. Trying to get my 51 Patty woken up after languishing for 20+ years. Pulled plugs and dumped Marvel down the cylinders before even trying to move the crank. Waited a few weeks. VIOLA! it does turn over by hand. My wiring is in less than usable condition. I hooked up the starter direct - the starter turns over - but doesn't engage. There are two (2) small studs on the back (firewall) side of the solenoid. One (closest to fenderwell) was obviously connected to the carb starter switch. Nothing was hooked to the other (closest to engine block). I ran a jumper from battery to the terminal hooked to the carb switch. Still no movement from solenoid. Should the other (empty) terminal be hooked to the Battery (armature) post on the voltage regulator as the 1952 wiring diagram shows? The 1951 diagram does not show the additional terminal, the 52 diagram does. I have a delco system. I'd sure like to save the trouble of pulling the starter if it's just a missing wire. Any help would be most welcome.

I bought my 51 almost 2 years ago. It had sat since 1993 in White City, Oregon. It sat at a friend's house after I bought it. I finally got it moved to a real driveway a month or so ago and have finally started to see what I bought. Needs everything, but so far have found only minor rust in the left rear fender dogleg and a poorly repaired right quarter panel and rear right door. Solid trunk, a few pinholes in the driver's floor. The car complete minus hubcaps, keys and hood ornament (of course). I have since bought the standard cars (cloisienne someday?) and some trinkets. Jim L. in Portland, OR helped with hood ornament.
Thanks in advance for any help!
Mark

Finally going to try and get my 51 Patty running. Trouble is I am having a heck of a time finding parts at my local stores. NO one seems to have books that go that far back - and the pimple faced kids behind the counter thought a Packard was a computer. I am sure it is an autolite system. The Standard Ignition book I was able to get my mitts on was not helpful. Any part numbers and help would be kindly accepted.
Mark

he Lowey Caddy is (IMHO) hideous....Even Virgil Exner (Chrysler Corporation) wasn't that bad.....

This is a GREAT Site. Thanks for the info on the door panels and thanks to Jim for the hood ornament offer. GREAT Cars, even better people!!!!

I had bid on that hood ornament, but got nipped at the end. I couldn't babysit it until the end of the auction. I shoulda bid higher - rats. I got nipped out of a repair manual too - same reason. I still need a 51 hood ornament if someone has a decent spare they'd part with.

As far as the plates go, the guy I bought it from works at the Oregon DMV and part of the deal was he got to keep the plates! He collects them - has literally thousands - what a great place to work when collecting vintage plates. (He also helped design the 'new' Pacific Wonderland plates) Anyways.....I have a set of silver and black 1951 plates that I will put on it if and when.

I'm excited about the car - but know it won't happen overnight. I have 6 years to go before I can retire at 55.
I figured it would be my retirement project - better to get it now while it was cheap and play around with it and then have something to do when I finally retire.

I know it's way in the future, but does anyone know how the door panel trim was attached.? Nearly ALL of the interior door panel stainless is coming loose. Looks like it had a cardboard filler that was sewn into the panels????? Not like
clips that went through and bent over which I am familiar with on my MoPars.

Cool decal on the dash

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The car is color code "B" - Packard Blue Poly, the interior seems to be trim number 503 - Blue cloth. The number 5293 is on the vin tag. I can't read the first 4 numbers in the pic. Probably 2452. Blue and grey interior (all needing replaced)
It has the signal seeking radio with electric antenna and rear speaker, windshield washers, day/night rearview mirror. I think everything else is standard in the 400.

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