Re: The Stripper Clipper (1955 Panama)

Posted by 55PackardGuy On 2014/11/25 20:34:15

I just wonder what part of WI you live in? It's supposed to be zero overnight Wednesday here in MN, with a high of 14 on Thanksgiving day. That is not particularly cooperative weather unless you have a heated garage.

Glad you kept the red engine color, which will match the original 320. If you want a real original look, go for the Clipper valve covers instead of the Caribbean ones with "Packard" embossed on them. I think the Clipper valve covers all used a flat metal surface with a decal in '55.

If you got the Caribbean engine including carburetor, it will have a more potent 4-barrel than the basic Clipper motor came with. Having the manual trans and lighter Clipper body should give you all kinds of squeal appeal. Even my old 327 flathead 2-barrel straight 8 will light 'em up with the manual. One reason for this is the overdrive, which comes with a 4.10:1 differential.

I think if you can locate an overdrive unit, it is a pretty simple installation, except for driveshaft modifications. If you added the 4.10 differential to the manual and all that V8 power, it would be a ball at cruise events and stoplights. Since your Stripper wasn't fated to be a "numbers-matching" vehicle, why not get some fun out of "period correct" modifications?