Re: The optional 327

Posted by Owen_Dyneto On 2009/4/8 15:01:46

Rusty, since the 359 engine was based on the 327 block with essentially the same external dimensions (for example, they share the same headgasket), of course it would fit. A 359 fits nicely into a 53 Caribbean (though certainly it detracts from the value).

As to what Packard may have done for factory-sponsored race cars, I know nothing. But to suggest that Packard would provide a stick shift in ANY car in the 51-56 era just doesn't have any support at all. Granted, dealers may have and probably did do a number of such conversions for individual customers but it's likely the factory did not. Consider the 54/55/56 Caribbeans where automatic was standard equipment; there wasn't even an engine manufacturing code for a V8 Caribbean engine with a flywheel, only with flexplates. So until someone actually can produce a build slip showing this, I think we have to assume it didn't happen.

This "Packard would do anything to sell a car" has become an excuse for all manner of later abberations; there is some truth to it, but it only goes so far. Dealers were far more likely to modify and play with option codes than the factory.