Re: found 1956 Packard Executive

Posted by BH On 2011/8/17 20:04:47

That registration information for the 56th Series is very interesting. I've seen similar document for the 55th Series, and it shows all models in the Packard line "WITH" Ultramatic. The 56th Series info certainly supports the factory had, at least, an intent to build Patricians and Four Hundreds with manual shift transmission.

Yet, I wonder why Trade Letter 56-1001, Dealer 1 (the example from the Aller Collection is stamped with a received with date of "NOV 14 1955") shows Overdrive (OD) for the Clipper line only. Moreover, none of the three Supplement letters that I've snee have anything to day about standard transmission or overdrive. I'm still thinking there's a document that was sent to dealers with additional detail that simply hasn't turned up.

Meanwhile, those additional examples of production orders are equally interesting. It sure raises an eyebrow that none of the production records for 5687 models show Manual Shift Transmission (MS). I would assume no Overdrive (OD) turned up, either. Well, in view of the Four Hundred built for export to Switzerland, I've decided to add the Export codes from the to my 56th Series RPO chart.

I luv watching a good mystery unfold - even if it's only a little bit at a time.