Re: Wagon engines '57-'58

Posted by BH On 2010/10/2 19:31:00

Guy -

I agree that running changes in production are not unheard of; in fact, they are probably more common than most people realize. However, they were usually documented for the benefit of the dealers (at least back then) - often in service bulletins, but always in sales letters to dealers when vehicle pricing is affected. If you can find such a document on gauges, that would be strong supporting evidence.

Yet, it wouldn't be that difficult for a handy owner to swap a set of Senior gauges for the stock Clipper ones. I don't think it would be much of a challenge, either, to find a donor car for parts - then or now.

BTW, the clock shown in the illustration provided by HH56 appears to be the larger style as used in '56. That one's from a '56 Clipper, but - again - it's the same size as Senior Packard of same year.

Although we don't have the full document available here, I have a photocopy of a page from Studebaker Service Bulletin No. 320, from January 1957, which has an article on "1957 Packard Custom Radio with Automatic Tuning". Curiously, the 1957-58 parts book that we have, here, only shows a push button type radio (Gr. AC12), but "Automatic Tuning" is the same terminology used for the signal seeking (aka - three-way tuning) radio in the '55-'56 cars. Unfortunately, that article merely discusses "trimming" the radio for customers, but refers the reader to the '55-'56 Packard Service Manual for instructions.

In closing, know that one of my unrestored '56 Patricians has the '55 style of trunk lining, with the appearance of being factory install. I've no doubt that something like that could have happened in 1956, but it doesn't enhance the car, in my view. In fact, I'll be replacing that lining with the '56 style material when I restore the car. On the other hand, a friend has a '56 Patrician that also has the '55 trunk lining, but I believe that he intends to retain the '55 material - even when it is replaced.

To each, their own.