Re: Help with purcase 1954 PACKARD PATRICIAN

Posted by Owen_Dyneto On 2008/3/29 8:23:16

I owned a 54 Patrician back in the late 50s and thru the 60s as an everyday car (they were one fine car!) and I took a good look at that one. Several things caught my attention. According to the 54 Packard Salesman's Data book, there were three different interior options for Patricians, wool broadcloth, leather or matelasse nylon fabric. Seller states that one was redone in wool and the pattern seems correct though I can't attest to the correctness of the colors, especially the lighter color I also wondered about an engine rebuild after 57,000 miles when, barring abuse, that kind of mileage would just suggest a valve grind. And then another cylinder head gasket replacement? Also the notation about a valve adjustment when of course they are hydraulic and not requiring adjustment -- unless they were improperly set after the engine rebuild. Some questions for the seller but it does appear to be a very nice example of that model. A recent Packard price guide suggests $17,200 for #1, $11,200 for #2, and $7900 for #3. They are a delightful car to drive, and very comfortable.

An earlier response here indicated the Patrician came with "gear start" Ultramatic; that's only true for the very last cars of the production run, the vast majority were simple Ultramatic.