Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

I bought a 56 pat 3 speed, need to haul it down ,,its local, don't know when it was built yet,.

Just to repeat all you need to know to determine if it's a legit factory standard shift is the Utica Engine Number.

od, ok,,

What about George Hamlin's stick shift 56 Caribbean?

What about George Hamlin's stick shift 56 Caribbean?.

If you followed the earlier excerpt from the Utica Engine codes, you'd note there was no factory engine build assembly code for a Caribbean engine with anything other than a flex plate. So George' Carib (5699-1216A) must have left the factory with Twin Ultramatic unless the buyer had enough sway with the factory to make a special request which would be indicated on the build slip. The build slip for George's car does not indicate that.

I've just asked George about any history he might have about the conversion to manual shift, I'll edit this post if any relevant information is forthcoming.

Tim Cole asks: What about George Hamlin's stick shift 56 Caribbean?.

Tim, I just spoke with George Hamlin. His 56 Caribbean does not now and never has had a standard transmission. He likewise has reviewed all the 56 Carib build slips and none had standard transmission as factory built.

Oh well, somebody told me that.