Re: 56 Patrician Info

Posted by PackardV8 On 2014/11/20 17:29:03

I have a 56 Executive and would not hesitate to drive it ANYWHERE including afull length tour of the U.S. My only reservation mite be the transmission but thus far no problems other than leaking fluid which seems to be a chronic problem but not a problem that disables the car.

In my faavour is the fact that this car was a very low mileage (34K miles) and alwaays garage keept. Now haas 56Kmiles and about an extra 5k i drove with speedo discontected..

Here are the 55 and 56 shortcommings:
1. Bendix treadle Vac.
2. V8 oil pump.
3. The AUTOMATIC feature of the Torsion level.

My car has the BTV replaced with a modern ford unit. Oil pump replaced with Olds conversion. Torsion level controlled by a MANUAL switch on the dash.

The 55 and 56 Packards are just as reliable and trustworthy and ROADWORTHY as ANY modern day 2014 automobile or any car of it's day. But there are a few things that haave to be dealt with. If it were 1956 all over agin then i would have just went to the dealer and bought an OEM NEW pump. Ditto for the BTV.

But guess what??? THis ain't 1956 anymore. But the cars of that era are still good to go!!.