Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

Topic: 55-56 changes

Bottom

Previous Topic

Next Topic Register To Post

« 1 (2)

michael keller

Re: 55-56 changes

#11

Just can't stay away

Another very special thing was the gas door on the 5570 Executive series, which was a late introduction. Lower side trim passes through the filler opening, so the door got its own small piece of trim.

Posted on: 2017/7/17 13:24

The Ride Did Decide!

1956 Packard Executive Hardtop

HH56

Re: 55-56 changes

#12

Forum Ambassador

Interesting that two of the changes for 56 were subject of discussions here in the last month. One is the Royalite side seat panels on 55s. Those were "improved" in 56 but no mention of what was done. They still crack but apparently are better than the 55s. Another was the change to a different front shock lower mount. That was done to eliminate damage to the lower part of the shock from hoists and road debris and to provide a longer life.

Quite a few other interesting changes. I knew the front bumpers were different (aside from the "Dagmars" location) but never really saw the differences visually in the lower bar other than the added grill. It is also 1 1/2 inches lower than the 55 to provide more protection.

Posted on: 2017/7/17 13:31

Howard

Leeedy

Re: 55-56 changes

#13

Home away from home

Quote:

DaveB845 wrote:
I did not want to highjack the two members who each made a remark, this week, about some rather expensive, if not significant, changes between the 1955 and 1956 years. These days, the automotive accountants would riot if a manufacturer did something similar, especially in a down economy with bad press circulating around your brand.

Some of the most significant changes (and there are many more, apparent to some of you) are:

The switch to negative ground 12 volt electrics (and to almost everything it affected, including the Delco-sourced radios)
Wheel lugs and nuts instead of bolts (no more interchanging of brake drums)
Rear deck lid metal stampings for both hardtops, sedans and convertibles.
Two types of front fenders with soldered peaks on the Seniors.
Brand new front and rear bumpers.
Brand new tail lights and fenders for the Clippers/Executives (living to see another day on the South Bend Packards and countless hot rods)
Brand new dual cowl hoods without soldered pieces.
Dana made rear axles and TT differentials.
Revised front end geometry and shock absorber mountings.
Torsion Level controller packaging.
All sorts of stainless and chrome trim changes

What did not get changed that should have been:
Oil pumps with integral vacuum pump
Interior door handles and cranks that fall off

All in all, the Greatest Packard of Them All might indeed been the ten thousand or so Packards of 1956. The accountants were left with the final verdict in June 1956.

One very important thing that needs to be considered is that 1956 changes were planned long before 1956. And such changes were vitally important to a luxury car in those times. There were certainly a lot of other changes, but this was a high-end automobile in an era where much of the prestige for American cars was that they changed in design and engineering every 365 days.

Some very obvious, yet subtle changes to 1956 senior Packards were:

? V-trim on cathedral tail lights changed to red reflectorized hexagon with chrome bezel.

? Anodized mesh on instrument panel changed to new textured design.

? Instrument panel clock diameter increased in diameter.

Packard gave it their best shot.

Posted on: 2017/7/17 15:09

Board index » Discussion » V-8 (1955-56) » 55-56 changes

Top

Previous Topic

Next Topic

« 1 (2)

	';
Hello and welcome to Packard Motor Car Information! If you're new here, please register for a free account.