This is VERY interesting information for me. Thanks a lot!

I never would have thought the car was assembled in Mexico as cars down here were sold with speedometers in kilometers (including Cadillacs, Packards or any car as far as I know off). One other curious thing is cars down here were generally very austere or plain. Normally they had manual windows, no heaters... and my car has both the underseat heater, defroster, electric windows, etc.

Is it known what CKD meant in the sense of how were cars sent out of Detroit? Was that in primer, or with parts unassembled? Curious mind wants to know...

Thanks,
Victor

I questioned the guy that painted the engine bay about the missing clamp for the heater hose on the head, and... voila! He had it! He says he didn't remember where it went, nor 3 other clamps!!! At least, he kept them in a box for me. It is the upper one in the pic. One of them with a very little bend (second one), appears to have been soldered to something a tube, probably transmission or oil... but I don't know. The two little ones at the bottom, I don't have a clue either. Any ideas?

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Wow! Was that luck! I removed my seats some time ago and didn't find anything... perhaps under the carpet? I will have to take a look some day!

Thanks!

I contacted Dwight and he was gracious enough to use his shields and have his metal guy make a set for me... so if any of you guys need a set, it could work out to call him.

The work looks great!

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I bought the car in Puebla, Mexico (the city where Packard had a plant down here) but I don't know it's history. Speedometer is in miles, therefore it is a car that was sold originally in the US, but it has been down here for along time. The previous owner had it since the 70's.

I offered to look for it's numbers: 5687-3661

So, is it possible to look for a build sheet? Is there really such information? I always thought Packard records were destroyed.

Thanks!
victor

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Thank you all for the kind comments. It is a nice and mostly original car and as suggested, I will keep the Caribbean hood, as I really prefer the looks with it. I have to admit that since I am a purist I was considering to change it, but I am glad you all seem to approve to leave it as is. I rarely show the cars (but I use them when I can) and even if I did, there are no real Packard experts or even more than a handful of Packards here in Mexico.

I want to get proper tires (current ones seem small) and I need to change suspension bushings. Other than that, it will remain as is... Including it's Chrysler transmission, while I can find and save enough to get it's original transmission repaired.

As for the questions:

I will check on it's number tomorrow and report back.

The trim on the side is ribbed, with the higher parts in plain stainless and the indented ones in black.

I never knew the build sheets were available. How can I get one for my Packards?

Thanks,
Victor

A friend once told me that Packard - after demand for it's 1956 Caribbean hardtop out-runned supplies - encouraged dealers to sell Four Hundreds with the Caribbean options, like the dual carbs, wire wheels, dual antennas and even the Caribbean hood could be ordered. Is this correct?

I ask, because I have my 1956 Four Hundred with a Caribbean Hood. I got it as such, and the past owner who had it since the early 70's also says it already had the Caribbean hood when he got it. My car also has the wire wheels and the dual carb, but that is about the interesting options. No pushbutton transmission, dual antennas or air conditioner.

If having this hood was a possibility, then I would like to keep it, as I think it looks fabulous, but if not, I already have a regular Four Hundred hood which I got recently out of a parts car, just before it was sadly scrapped, and might change it for the Caribbean hood it currently has...

So, is my friend's theory correct and you could have ordered the Caribbean hood?

Thanks!
Victor

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Thanks a lot! The pic does help, but also knowing it is Dwight's car helps! He is a good friend, so I will email him for further details, if needed.

Thanks again!
victor

I've looked for more detailed pics with no luck, but I will try to replicate them based on what I can see.

Thanks!
Victor

Sorry for so much questions but, when I amplify the pic the shows the shields, it seems to me that the small shield that helps cover the choke would be held with one screw only, probably on the tab formed by the cut and bent 'ear' that is formed and through which surely a hole is drilled. If I am correct, the tab could be held by one of the upper carburetor screws (the one in the corner closest to the choke, near the center of the pic)... or is it held also by one of the larger nuts on the carb base (the one closest)?

Either a pic or a good description or measurements would help a lot!

The pic is this carburetor area I am referring to...

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