Re: Model Info Pages
Posted by Owen_Dyneto On 2010/1/10 9:11:57
I've checked the Nat Dawes book to see what he had to say about the Patrician Formal Sedans in 53 and 54, #s 2653 and 5453. He indicates that 25 Patricians were shipped to Derham and converted to the Formal Sedan in 1953, but none in 1954. I see the PAC directory lists 2 of 2653 existing, none of the 5453.
I'll dig out the article(s) on the lwb 54s by Derham and if I get any new information there or from a phone call to him I'll edit this post and add the information.
EDIT: There are several articles in TPC about the lwb Derhams, Spring 1974, Spring 1966, and Summer 1989, the last of which has a multi-page spread on the 1954 lwb Derham limo with some great photos, the car is still listed in the PAC Directory. There are several nice detailed photos of the car including the interior. The author sought but could not find much of the original history other than the first owner's name, a Mrs. MacMillan of Boston; it was subsequently owned by the very well-known Packard collector of that era, Tom Mix. The author states the car started life as a 1953 lwb limo, but doesn't state how he determined that, though it's not inconsistent for a vehicle that had a long gestation period. It has all the 54 trim features including the Matalesse nylon upholstery which I don't believe was available in 1953. It has factory AC and is the same car that I pictured earlier in this thread. I think it's nearly certain that the owner commissioned Derham for the conversion and it had nothing to do with a factory-sponsored Derham version of the 54 8-pass limo (#5450), which would leave the 1953 Derham formal sedan on the 127" wheelbase as the only legitimate factory- sponsored Derham of those years. Perhaps some day more information will come to light about the alleged 1955 Patrician Derham.
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