The Vehicle Number (VN) was found on a plate attached to the left front door post. Engine serial numbers were located on a boss at the upper left-hand side of the cylinder block. Vehicle Number began with the Body/Style Number suffixed by the engine serial number. The Body/Style Number forming the first part of the Vehicle Number was revised and no longer used consecutive series numbering. Packard again used the last two digits of the calendar year as the first two symbols of the series and model designations. Therefore, the first two symbols used to identify cars, series and models were
Factory introductions were held Nov. 3, 1955, for Clippers and Packards and April 9, 1956, for Executives. The total model run of Packards was a mere 28,835 cars. Calendar year sales dropped to 13,432. Packard slid to the 15th industry ranking. These figures did not combine Packard and Studebaker sales. (Studebaker was ranked 13th). The 1956 Caribbean convertible came with reversible seat upholstery that was brocade on one side and leather on the other. The futuristic Predictor show car was constructed this year. On July 27, 1956, Studebaker-Packard Corp. entered a joint management agreement with Curtiss-Wright Corp. Shortly thereafter, James Nance resigned as chief executive officer. On Aug. 15, 1956, Packard operations in Detroit were brought to a halt.
1956 Optional Equiptment
Torsion suspension, Clipper ($150, but by the end of the production run, all models had Torsion-Level suspension as standard equipment). Radio with manual antenna ($103). Three-way tuning radio with electric antenna and rear speaker ($135). Front seat heater ($46). Power steering ($115). Power brakes ($40). Four-Way power seat ($70). Electric windows ($70). Air conditioning ($647). Power antenna. Solex glass with filter ($45.20). Whitewall tires ($33 exchange). Hub shells ($15). Dual exhaust ($35). Spotlight with mirror ($28.50). Tilt-type mirror ($3.65). Tinted glass. Wonderbar radio. Rear window defogger. Roll-up trunk light. Bolt-on wire wheel covers. Remote spare tire filler. Locking gas cap door. Rain vent shades. Curb feelers. Traffic light viewfinder. License plate frames. Door edge guards. Lighted vanity mirror. Drink holder and pocket pouch. Snap-in Car-Pet mats. Chrome rocker arm covers. Remote master cylinder filler. Fog lamps. Three-speed manual transmission was standard on Clippers; not available on Packards (except Clipper-based Executives). Overdrive was optional on Clippers and Executives at $1 10. Limited-slip differential was optional on all models. Oil bath air cleaner standard on all models. Twin Ultramatic Drive was a mandatory option in Packards except Clipper/Executive models ($199 extra). Torsion-Level suspension standard on all models by the end of year. Available as a no-cost option on Deluxe models was conventional suspension. Power brakes were standard on all senior Packards; optional on Clipper and Executive. Electronically-controlled, push-button Ultramatic gear selection was standard in Caribbean, optional on all cars with automatics. Available rear axle gear ratios included: (Standard) 3.54 and 4.09; (Ultramatic) 2.87, 3.07, 3.31, 3.54 and 4.09; (Overdrive) 3.54 and 4.09
