Re: 1956 Packard Clipper

Posted by Brian Wilson On 2019/5/23 2:23:08

Lots of input. Thanks guys!

You have spotted things I did not notice - or wasn't aware of.

It looks fairly certain that this car was one of a bath of right hand drive assembled in Detroit in 1956. Unlike UK - where left hand drive cars could be registered then - it was not possible to do that in Australia.

Overseas built cars were typically imported here in right hand drive configuration, whereas as they say in the UK road test story it was optional there to convert from left hand drive and was done locally. I do not know for sure, but have been told by somebody who should know, that about 12 Packards were imported into Australia in 1956 (several of which were Clippers) and all were right hand drive.

At that time, it was typical for imported cars to be fitted with a local radio (which it is) and heater unit (local Smiths unit hung under the dash and connected to the normal controls). As for the other changes, I'm not sure. I do know that the RHD cars imported here were generally not fitted with power steering, presumably because of space issues. My car does have the Torsion ride suspension - which works really well - but I don't know what changes might have been made to convert it to right hand drive. There are dash layout differences between my car and the one tested in the UK. Also, the fuel and temperature gauges are reversed on my dash, which is otherwise a perfect mirror image of the left hand drive car according to the owner's manual.

I have not yet delved into what lies underneath related to the right hand drive configuration. Will get some pics for those who are curious when it's next on a hoist.

I'm wondering whether the change to wiper operation might be related to a different swept pattern needed for right hand drive cars?

You probably understand now why I'm anxious to preserve this car. It has escaped the scrapyard so far and definitely worth preserving.

Cheers

Brian