By the way, the serial number of the last Detroit-built (and real) Packard was; 5682-4775. 1,443 production workers left that day with lunch boxes in hand, never to return to work at the Conner Avenue plant. A study was later made and published about these "alienated workers"; it is a difficult, painful read!

It was JUNE 25th, not July 25th and as I indicated in an earlier posting, the last car was a 4-door Patrician which went to the Atlanta zone, Snellville, GA. See the photo in "The Cormorant", page 17, Autumn 2011 issue. Wonder if that car exists today?

Wish I knew and yes, an equally important date!

Well, there should be some lively discussion today. I think that the "Greatest Packard of them all" was the 1956 models. Yes, despite quality control issues and innovations that proved troublesome, these were the most wonderful road cars Packard ever built and they beat the competition hands down. Of course ALL Packards get my respect and I fully admit that the Packards of the 1930's and early forties were our American counterpart to the Rolls Royce, except that they were even better automobiles.

Driving my Patrician on the interstate at 70 miles an hour in a sofa-sized seat with every power assist and surprising economy reminds me that Detroit hasn't really made any significant strides in the last few decades.

As we remember today, 56 years ago at the Conner Plant in Detroit, I can't help thinking about all the wonderful sounds of American enterprise suddenly silencing as that Patrician sedan rolled out on its way to Snellville, Georgia. And to, the thousands of displaced Packard workers--many of them third generations--who were suddenly on the Detroit streets without a job.

Long live Packard and the men who made 'em!

Just to remind us all...especially the 55/56 boys:
omorrow, June 25 (1956) marked the end of the line for Detroit-built Packards!

Now here's one for you experts...! If you look carefully at the prestiege catalog for the 1955 senior Packards, you will find that the Caribbean convertible is shown with a chrome "Caribbean" script on the lower side of the front seat shroud. I have never seen this in production 1955 Caribbeans. Has anyone?

Well, your choice is narrowed. Only the 1955 Clipper Custom Constellation hardtop, to my knowledge had this particular trim.

Hey Howard, this website is just the living end! Thanks so much for the helpful information. I'm now thrilled to report that I have a left AND a right scoop for my project!
Thanks again!

Hey experts...is there a quick and easy way to tell which is a right or left 56 Caribbean hood scoop?

Your question is thought-provoking. Personally, I don't relish the somewhat "tacked-on" look of the traditional grille on the Request. I think some more integrated solutions could have rendered a better looking car. We have to realize that by 1955, the whole direction of car bodies had taken a much longer, lower, and definitely WIDER stance. Teague worked in the Packard cusps and the "feel" of classic Packard subtlety with his 55-56 stock offerings, I feel. The styling cues were actually adapted to Packard's final body as early as 1951.

No, I don't believe that the Request would have saved Packard, BUT all that that classic grille represented might have! An absence of quality control issues, no innovations that weren't thoroughly tested, a tight and totally professional dealer organization, consistent advertising and more of it...now all these things might have made a big difference. And then, there was that little merger with the South Bend boys...