Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

BryanMoran wrote:
JW
I just read the Cormorant Bulletin. I always wanted to do Salado. It will be a priority once I get a couple of Packards done.

The article made it sound as if Jeff is an active PAC member.

It was nice to get some press for the car, but as you know there was no mention of it being for sale.

BryanMoran wrote:
Leeedy and 55Packardconv

Thanks. Leeedy I understand there was a 56 Packard and in theory that years models would start with 1001 but I think we can all agree that the Patrician appeals to us because it was the 1st of the last, meaning the last 2 years combined saw the 1st V8, torsion bars, styling theme, etc and this makes the Patrician special.

Had there been an all new 57 Packard with enough changes to differentiate it from the 55-56's then this discussion would be moot. After all, we don't care as much about any other years 1001.

I really enjoyed the analysis re: body color and Nance getting on production chiefs about single tones. THAT explains a lot and then to add the commentary about why it would be all Ivory is even more telling (re: dark colors show more defects).

That is what I was looking for.

White only came into being as a production color in the late 40's early 50's. By the way I think the car would look nice restored in white with some Packard spec wire wheels ala the Caribbean.

Finally, though some may disagree - I think the point about there being 4 or 5 1001 cars in 1955 means the seller should not be stating the Patrician was the 1st 1955 Packard made. This post does not even call it the 1st 1955 Packard. It states First Production 1955 Patrician.

Somewhere out there could be a 1001 400, Clipper, etc. Unlikely, but possible.

Finally, finally, as a follower of the Mark II Continental, their historian has done a fantastic job of documenting all 3000 or so of the Mark II's including a few mules and pre-production cars. Some of the pre-production cars survive and one was for sale last year and I attempted to buy it unsuccessfully.

Arguably, the Mark II Continental, made in 1956 and 1957 only, was well documented from the factory and the interested collectors have the data information from the factory and maintain a data base, now in an age when that is more recordable then ever.

I suppose some factory documentation either went up in smoke (literally) or was removed by workers in the Packard plant back in 1956. I find it hard to believe that factory documentation did not exist at one time for this (Patrician)car and every 1001 in 1955 and 1956.

Thanks again for the fine commentary. Keep it coming.

BH wrote:
I've seen vehicles with much worse body and mechanical problems that have been completely restored - inside and out. Usually a project like that is a labour of love. Of course, you'll probably be upside down on most any Packard that requires such a restoration.

If it's only surface rust and not a lot of hidden rust-through, then this car certainly is salvagable. Not sure how long its gonna last outdoors in the TX clime, though.

However, unless you restore the matching engine and trans, I suspect whatever value it has as the first one off the line would drop dramatically.

This car could and should be restored to its full original detail as a historic piece, but a project of this magnitude is never gonna get off the ground with a four-figure selling price.

Mike, are you talking about the stainless piece that runs between the top of the fabric upholstery and the bottom of the door window finish molding at the rear of the door? I don't recall such a molding on the 55 Pat I once owned (sold it 20 years ago), and I can't find it on the parts book, either.

However, it does appear in a couple of photographic images (pp. 17-18) in the brochure PACKARD Presents Two Great Lines of Cars for 1955 - the one that kinda looks like a magazine or Sunday newspaper supplement. Interesting that other brochures for 55 seem to avoid views of that area. Meanwhile, other illustrations in that piece also show painted fresh air and heater control panel.

Then, there's a showroom scene (p. 6) with 55 Senior cars that have no ribbed stainless side trim (or lower spear molding), no script plates on the front fenders, no P-A-C-K-A-R-D letters on the hood, and a completely different style of wheel cover.

Of course, this piece is clearly an early announcement, and I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of things were still up in the air, going into the 11th hour. Interesting that some made it into production, however briefly.