Dan A wrote:
Quote:
Based on the VIN/Build period would it not be more likely that it was built this way? verses it being changed out at some point.
Inspecting the front with the consistent wear patterns throughout the car including the front fenders they appear original.
Did Packard have a habit of changing things mid year? I know they did on the Clipper with the chrome in 1955.
It's not uncommon for any vehicle manufacturer to make mid-year changes; many even state that they reserve the right to do so in their sales brochures.
However, I highly doubt that 56th Series fenders were ever installed on a 55th Series vehicle by the factory. The change in side trim on 55th Series Clippers is documented in the parts book, but there's no such evidence for fenders. Other running changes are typically documented in bulletins or letters, but I've yet to see anything on fenders.
Anything could have happened in the 50+ years since your car rolled off the assembly line. It's more plausible that the fenders were replaced due to rust or collision damage - at a time when correct fenders simply weren't available. Sheet metal for these cars was in short supply when I first started looking into parts availability for these cars back in the mid-1970s, and I've seen more than a few V8 Packards with incorrect fenders.
That the wear patterns are consistent with the rest of the car simply means that the change occurred much farther back in time. Then, have you looked for evidence of a total respray?
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