Re: So I bought another Packard.....

Posted by 58L8134 On 2009/10/20 11:39:53

Hi Scott

Glad to hear another Clipper Town Sedan has found an appreciative owner. As you probably know, these are controversial cars among Packard owners. For various views, see the posting "Are '57-'58 Packards real Packards?"

In my view, they're as real a '57 Packard as we'll ever have, an historic fact of life and worthy of restoration and preservation.

On the restoration parts availability, it should be easier than Detroit Packards. The main thing you have to keep in mind is the car is completely a '57 Studebaker. As was suggested, join the Studebaker Driver's Club as well for parts and mechanical advice resources. In fact there is more interest in and acceptance of these cars in the SDC than in most Packard club (sorry to say, but it seems to be true).

On such parts as the windshield, you'll find they are interchangable with all 1955 1/2 through 1958 Studebaker sedans and wagon bodied cars, Hawks excluded. The '57 Town Sedan and '58 Packard sedan are built on the Studebaker Y-body with the 120.5" wb chassis, shared with the President Classic. This body differs from the W-bodied sedans on 116.5 wb in the rear door, which are 4 inches longer and have vent windows.
Consulting a body parts catalog will show you how they are differ, but it is mostly all trim, on the major units, where holes were punched for the trim. The modifications to create the character lines on the rear fenders are stamped overlays welded to the standard Studebaker quarter panels. This area is particularly rust-prone in most parts of the country. Even those part are/were available NOS from SASCO.

Mechancially, the car is the same as '57 President with the Golden Hawk supercharged 289 ci V-8 and heavy duty automatic. The engine is the standard Studebaker V8 found in all their V8 cars from 1951-1964 in various displacements. It is a good rugged unit with fine parts availability.

Hope all this helps, post a picture or two of the car when you have a chance. If I can help, contact me through this website, I'll be glad to render whatever help I can or point you in the right direction

Steve