Re: Any '56 400's out there painted solid Scottish Heather (K)?

Posted by Dave Brownell On 2016/12/10 9:51:05

In my decades long appreciation of 1956 Packards, I can only recall seeing a few painted in solid colors. One was a black Patrician that I suspect did duty with an Archbishop or a funeral home, and one solid Danube Blue 400 that was being actively neglected by its owner. That blue car really looked faded blue almost everywhere, except for small areas of white vinyl on the seats and doors. Too blue on a big car for my tastes.

My Esquire probably survived because of the previous owner acceding to his wife's preference for the tri-toned MES colors. Six other 56s in his stable didn't, and many may have gone elsewhere because of their colors. His 45 year old repaint still draws positive comments at local shows, especially from older people who remember the colors you could get on a Royal Lancer or Montclair hardtop in the mid-50s. My equally shining Executive hardtop has only two colors, and gets no where near the comments.

I suppose that Packard, especially in later 1956, would paint any car any standard factory color on special request. I remember the forum discussion of a very few solid white or black Caribbeans and the debate that raised. But, a Packard owner with his/her definite preferences, and the willingness to wait for delivery, probably could write their own ticket. Recently, a member of our Corvette club got a great deal on a specially ordered convertible that was "left at the altar" when the owner realized how odd the car looked, and as a result, lost his large cash deposit. That car sat unwanted and was laughed at by many, until the savings were passed onto our club member. He has almost as much fun at car shows as I do with my Packards.