Re: Think of buying a 1955 Packard patrician

Posted by Ross On 2018/9/3 16:48:07

A 55 Patrician is a great driving car that can easily keep up with modern traffic and handles surprisingly well for a car of that era. They have some mechanical weak points as it was the first year for that engine and suspension but those can all be overcome.

Try and find old roadtests on any of the 55 Packards or Clippers to bring you up to speed--the press loved them.

The rear suspension on the car is not "worn". Those cars all came with a unique torsion bar suspension with a self leveling feature. Thus the amazing ride and handling. You will need to get the leveler working and the back will come right up. Fortunately the levelers are quite robust and will usually come back to life with some finesse on the electrical controls. It is a mechanical leveling system and does not rely on "airbags"--which is why it can still work 63 years later. Very cool feature.

Will follow your adventures with interest.