Somebody in the past had done some sort of hard undercoating over the frame, panels, fuel tank, etc. Some of it is starting to flake off.
<img src="https://orwsea.bn.files.1drv.com/y4murKdbpgufSOFdiyUkZlO3hUnvKdLcfjIaxL2sHSO8qh63uGIh2y--7oxvOqu_U-RvySiw0Tnaru6lzZKnNB4Xg_hdTHkUPOnrV7U6StfAs8bo-VJ_zai-7XNt0Vvu_E1o-q_WETNU4BDWODcEKKtCIZV06CXAR_OLtmSUB3bd2VpN8HGb6jc5Glmp9qaJX5oWszOuRNORN-HjKb1FKr3lg?width=1024&height=683&cropmode=none" width="1024" height="683" />

<img src="https://orwmea.bn.files.1drv.com/y4marhS-K2-lOmDaLCsxFtWBW4O2jXhUrm0xj77-rAvr14LcXPgQSyseGpWkrhy4_PqtawqjMKUZo-gG_daSwN8tOHjO9dEM4OzzMF-aA3WNGjDX5JFxB5_G_j7h7tifzT-PtZeWK-hUubpMDsHB0mLTyf4ojkXnVZ5fazoxFpFKRMkP1b05bHoE0r2TVko0urb2cn5IgNE8W-HMrzDE-yNYg?width=1024&height=683&cropmode=none" width="1024" height="683" />

Trim still needing to be installed
<img src="https://orwnea.bn.files.1drv.com/y4mO9xk6zBDW_yMSN6Ri9YD4g_uW166datU4-antWZymguvNSoHHemdfQYweDWE16JMp8WRiljjMKIXx2ANsRq_cAcT4sSee05V9IOPXeYNWrJgQAeMfU6YjC9UmoMWwzQvzMRPLCVzvC355soN76SZ-FSbHIYruV7Rzh5CfeWVZ43qJjrvSbFfqaFcLyOjWHNUBUQymx3oxZg2gPDQJ-zA3w?width=1024&height=683&cropmode=none" width="1024" height="683" />

All the trim could use some polishing
<img src="https://orwpea.bn.files.1drv.com/y4mh8Kiw8TP3PGT8UcA5xuWHJ2IY2hj7WZfaV3FnUrMl54UTAbeWbau_ZtTodRmUYGdhnGT_852CFADLCzKiWyFLxFdKuy77txgxd3U2VrmIoLaKNWE_VZbYuHKufJ8DlJEu1Sk2WUZbGVjn9ZD7WS0OdIv0_zZtUamvY-h5aMC_u_QpwxhDCtAVw93zG79BbCnVc7nGYGfE19O-ovvMvDi-Q?width=1024&height=683&cropmode=none" width="1024" height="683" />

<img src="https://orwtea.bn.files.1drv.com/y4mu2sjgtSodWwd-YT1dgOOfXBZbF65fnxUp_LBOQ13Ze6Wdf3SUSK9HNRnlANjoTCR6olCd-hbt9bgnMzf3N_GM5J6DWkANoLUeMFhMvvh20R2xrxd9JDHTXKDOI9k-Z1qFD1LAiUUnQFQx44ELFPeMWoiXVj97Yj9beEImxZX3SAOcGtg6JJF2aJUSSqU52GtEoBki6v3c4anlrht1HX2kA?width=1024&height=683&cropmode=none" width="1024" height="683" />

Trunk. Missing rear seat backing. Most of the remaining trim is in here, original door panels as well. No rust under the spare.
<img src="https://o7wrea.bn.files.1drv.com/y4mwFBqgWP7CHopx89r8Kr_47X7QCcX2aXHJil3fUI1Wj882ZRuX6uuO-L207xeGG-Qu9Vnhxi9_YN2Thmi1MBOeMhZqUgWtNmETIJd0igMjTaERO5jcrqye4wL1zKr1BpD9rXVAIPSlf4v2VWHmrcOtHuv6HtkJ1cSLtAjhawsJmcC1uIWpcw_wpumSYFNImt7zii-HGgGZ1JM3wbq5laO4w?width=1024&height=683&cropmode=none" width="1024" height="683" />

Original color again
<img src="https://o7wqea.bn.files.1drv.com/y4moj4_SXQZS3alGMMuTlsvuaG3eUvnDTZ0NfrAjZjkuWn_wLG_s82X_ooGBLO8PJ3vdb3xH6jsEbqYiGJqTMSLjG8v99poFU2vqU4XPP9SLDnuuKNBbAiTgcuKYBVsmlKvbBZ9gaks5nM9F9CFrtZ5uWVsUFnw7nuCcTjpd4_d1VRp8p0O-TMU_hqo0ZQY8qfiOXIVePblAjF2eK2j6ZQXzg?width=1024&height=683&cropmode=none" width="1024" height="683" />

Hey guys,

A little while ago I went and looked at a '54 Panama that a guy is interested in selling. I wasn't there for very long, but was able to give the car a quick look, take some pictures, and ask some questions. I'm looking for some guidance as to what you all think it might be worth (given the limited info I can provide), and what type of work I can look forward to if I were to purchase.

I don't have a lot of history on the car. This guy bought it from a farmer years ago and did some work to it. It's been sitting now for years (6+) and not completed. The current owner replaced some of the body panels, did body work anywhere else needed, using "very little Bondo" and then did his own paint. The paint doesn't look bad, though it's not factory correct.
<img src="https://orwqea.bn.files.1drv.com/y4m0I_tjMOYBL6WTdoaZ-4-5DwFTRwHXade2OSnCXI39z1HOQZcJBheJW7M9GbBUSp8gtDH3hmy1uUe597i4tDyCn6QUvsxbv8qfxcs3PGnZy5Auy65Dv5pBKrC4Z5b5tCtrQ6uT_jmJs4J-ReoH23grmgvC7q5mllM5XeBcWOQ-RVsODgP_xCmtNPLUkrBZrzkJQo6bQq162tzY_pZsuyqhQ?width=1024&height=683&cropmode=none" width="1024" height="683" />

Some chrome trim and the crest not installed on the front
<img src="https://o7wtea.bn.files.1drv.com/y4mptM1nr3J-5v9hSLD8Sfo-VH5Z7Y3AQJbhkdn4gJR4LJ9BJ8j_SX9PZ5iXBdFEcHu5DtWiXiEOQGzffm9JhkB5TO-aSewOFlHXNo7uLv1ROraUbSJWPqt9ks4qUN7h0B8QZw3XRRLFVbf83s36-e6SQsESOUuhIQmmZcFSSMIsbGfbZoD5NVchm4MO-mJBaWqsWDlq0JWhW5bzskZ4cubyw?width=1024&height=683&cropmode=none" width="1024" height="683" />

Chrome is poor on the underside, some dents and dings
<img src="https://o7wnea.bn.files.1drv.com/y4mUg8zohhuu3tCJIKtSTVcuL5zW6wArYB-DpYiVxsNtZZT7--714PbbN5knofAQTawyEiWEMXxhZY_1QFyNM0VJKNRHaBprZ85dQ2wDOUJy4HXhyn9hEvf0JcU1s5Dc5dUUOm1qG6a3YNzdTMfz4Dd5UNdjEkbt8n1irRbZjPWt3JJDQjQL5Vt6ssy3mCZFx-xmVRbc8XS7SPUBspmy_mTNw?width=1024&height=683&cropmode=none" width="1024" height="683" />

Under the front. Standard surface rust that I would expect to see.
<img src="https://o7wsea.bn.files.1drv.com/y4mVkOFy5wzuUeFUUiRFnIb3UtAsWUa4teijQKyE0asPYuo3fslJiOq6GGyBKUV0H1A1EY_HcXzWPtR1RAUCzVqvMcD_XoqHMDaFPWuTlTRocZ8VVzNRUWEmHhFypDz5fZPiCi08Jn_0i1eD7tQij2PqllUL3pCv4aZhCF61YjMPb73F1vgyrbRbvJxexV82LLkVQIoQLihQmQtAhaMIDJctA?width=1024&height=683&cropmode=none" width="1024" height="683" />

Engine bay. Factory color can be seen on firewall. Missing air cleaner. Engine runs, new battery. Very dusty from sitting.
<img src="https://o7wmea.bn.files.1drv.com/y4mlWeeE8HGfggdgxWytJSl_Y5_vUx9RsseGz-OOBa_QfFea-TBiMPpAgO1PbIB6KgFGyHp78smzz62osPWoPtwofwV5Twm93ckpLe3bbnojoI6lyVOI0UOUK6I-lL7X7aJ5Y7gScd9rxV5UL1rYtcBi6RIM3AGexFYLHRqhtxdPX-UVLFThTnZVYomOspZby1DAbzodPITTzoRNfjnxLpgQg?width=1024&height=683&cropmode=none" width="1024" height="683" />

Hood insulation needs to be replaced, under hood painted.
<img src="https://o7wpea.bn.files.1drv.com/y4mKu0gmQY3A49ShLAwEGhTMuRSR_Xi7MCpPYRR0a6NEUIZRmeTmfUJCnBeNs4AYMEIo2xSc--eB9OqAAg66WBAQQpysVhKC44uzsjff9R79GR-3m0U_sUx6bl_-gPR1XmS6xtpZAuCMKzTMmIaW--MdPlbHY_dYJXl6KGfw25pKIE3VyRJRjPb1inShWxJa1niY4MKPGS8bL7tcd-EE3AYUA?width=1024&height=683&cropmode=none" width="1024" height="683" />

Headliner needs to be replaced
<img src="https://o7wjea.bn.files.1drv.com/y4mTtO-0f_zn2Js8INFAVy_XXQJVsXlmj2l_FnM2Hd6QEvQuCtSHuuPM423aNOD6493yOyQupuTu9-WXdSXj6Jr5-DhSR20_XMr8uQtmk3GdOet4i8vZVoEEhSMqwPJFkKGVlRSqEPiwB9stD1QIiJo92t5y7BtvIG2dVl9wd0jRbFL3Lbyzrtjr3P2LOggHSWSHlbArL66PCimvOcDGqPAVw?width=1024&height=683&cropmode=none" width="1024" height="683" />

Interior trim is off from painting. No major rust seen inside the doors.
<img src="https://orwrea.bn.files.1drv.com/y4mkNJ5n4grbAUQF7kwuqLEwvd9fir0TLcHFQrpCklByZART0BNb3vD9ciI6VsvTq2EKCTs7hFWqONm1xRzYGgidrRJGKW95dzZg9GoUGPn09vFUdvgC7sc73FodyuC6rAGYMRNHcJ17uyUYu6PYxysO6WQz6kHX6Wf9F9buq8uoMAqJtJxhswZZHg4zVKHhBMKRfSIxo9cwEz5VcKOkehz9g?width=1024&height=683&cropmode=none" width="1024" height="683" />

But 57 days remaining. From what I've seen of online auctions, it seems they typically jump up during the last day or two.

Not to mention that the price for the same car is different on Ebay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/1955-Packard-400-2-DOOR-HARD-TOP-CLEAN-TITLE/274306935180?hash=item3fddf7a98c:g:CpQAAOSwxeVefQ0m

Lots of red flags here. It's a shame because The Four Hundred really is one of my favorite models.

That wiring looks very clean. Nice work with the zip ties.

We have nearly all the parts needed to finish the rebuild.

-1939 Water pump rebuilt and ready for install
-1939 Harmonic balancer rebuilt and ready for install
-1939 pulleys cleaned and painted
-Clutch plate resurfaced and rebuilt

All that we are lacking now are the rest of the replacement rings. The guy we are working with has a supplier he typically gets them from but they've been on backorder for months. Any ideas on where we can find the following?

-Standard engine bore 3 3/16" + 0.060" oversize
-Top two rings: 5/64" thick
-Oil ring: 3/16" thick

With the weather warming up we are dying to finish this rebuild!

-Kevin

A friend of mine had mentioned using a cleaner meant for aircraft to use on aluminum parts. I didn't catch the name, but he said he's using it to avoid the aluminum + oven cleaner issues.

That is a gorgeous car. The repaint really looks nice. It's definitely tempting!

What causes the ticking in the V8's?

-Kevin

Chris - I hardly have any experience, but looking at the pictures I see dollar signs adding up in my head. 1K for tires, several thousand for paint, who knows what needs to be done on the engine and transmission, etc, etc. There are nice driver-quality Mayfair's that go for 10-15K occasionally, and this car could easily cost that much or more to get to that level. I counter-offered $3100 but haven't heard back. Not sure what others are offering now, but any more than that is too rich for my blood. I'd rather save up and get one that's in much better shape that I don't have to rebuild.

-Kevin