does any one know if the 1955-56 packard fenders are the same as the clipper models of the same years

No, but I have both out back. They are probably not exactly the same. but whether they would interchange or not is another matter. What specifically do you want to know?

Craig

I believe the 1955 Packard (Senior) front fender started out life in production as a 1955 Clipper front fender stamping, but has an opening and holes punched out of the portion of the fender that's ahead of the wheel opening, and a boxed spalsher tacked on from behind, to accept and protect the wraparound turn signal body. Remember, the Clipper turn signal is mounted in the grille for '55.

I believe the 1956 Packard (Senior) front fender started out life in production as a 1956 Clipper front fender stamping, but the brow is sawed off and a longer brow cap and headlamp mounting panel are tacked on, with the seam leaded. Both fenders have opening and splasher for a turn signal that year, but the larger die-cast turn signal body for the '56 Clipper hides it.

It's not too difficult to turn a '55 Clipper fender into a '55 Packard fender, provided you can come up with the turn signal splasher, plus an old Sr. fender to use as a guide for cutting and drilling. Might be easier going the other way.

It would be a bit more work to turn a '56 Clipper fender into a '56 Packard fender. The added work not only comes from trying to line-up the Sr. headlamp brow, but finding a one that isn't rusted beyond use. Probably more difficult to go the other way.

Last but not least, it's best not to mix years as there are some other subtle differences between them that the seasoned V8 enthusaiast can spot.

I seem to recall someone offering a rebuilding service for these fenders in recent years, but haven't heard any reports WRT to quality.

i have what i believe to be a 55 Clipper fender. No prtruding headlite brow. It rises to a very subtly PEAK along the Highest longitudunal ridge of the fender at the very top of the fender.

My 56 Executive fender is rounded. Not peaked or ridged. It has the proruding headlite brow like 56 Sr.

That subtle peak along the top crown of the fender is a '55-only feature, common to both Junior and Senior.

You are correct that the '56 fender (again both Junior and Senior) has a smooth crown.

Sadly, I've seen some restored cars where the wrong year of fender had been installed somwhere along the way. I've also heard of people trying to build up a crease with bondo to make a '56 fender look like it's a '55.

The Exec used a '56 Senior fender, with holes punched for the stainless fender molding that runs above the common, heavy, die-cast molding, but no holes for a lower stainless fender molding or script plates as used on other Seniors. I have a Senior fender that was billed as an Exec but appears to have been plug-welded and drilled - an enhanced transplant.

Caveat emptor!