Re: Just bought a 1956 Patrician (newbie to Packard)

Posted by Randy Berger On 2007/12/21 17:52:42

May I respectfully disagree about the 1956 pushbutton shift? On my first 56 the PB didn't work right because some ham-fisted mechanic? stripped the threads used for adjustment. After I fixed that, the unit worked for the next four year (62-65 with no problems. The one on the Caribbean works but it may be due. I have started to design a mounting that would allow easier access to the unit, but it is still a great part of the car and always elicits positive comments at car shows. Wow! a pushbutton! I would never trade it for the cumbersome lever. It is a credit to the car that all of their gadgets work most of the time. I can cite GMs airbags and Chryslers torsion bars as far more prone to failure than Packard's PB or TL system. I'm sure Mr PB will weigh in with an opinion also.