To me, the '55 Packards and Clippers belong to the best facelifts of all time. Teague did a marvel when creating this design starting from the '54 (which is a slightly reworked '51).

The reason why I own a V8 Packard is simple: I love these cars for what they are. All of them.

The reason why I own an Executive Hardtop is simple, too: It has been the car of my (affordable) dreams for many years - and that's a matter of design. The Executive provides the only original possibility to combine the '56 front clip (superior to the '55 because of the wider-placed "dagmars", gold anodized mesh grille, and frenched headlights) with the smooth an beautiful junior's rear end.

This car will remain stock but if I wanted to improve the looks with other Packard parts I would go back to the '51-55 trunk lid (with '54-55 ornamentation on it), and add either '56 Clipper Custom side trim ('55 is a bit too close to the '55 Pontiac to me) or '55 senior (I like the "stop" in the mid of the car. It's unusual. Up front, it would get either a less streamlined Packard cormorant or a (smaller than the '30s) goddess of speed.

There's an interesting little story behind the '56 dog dishes.

S-P introduced the Clipper for 1956 (and only for 1956) as a make rather than a model. iirc, dog dishes were standard equipment on low-level Deluxes.

When preparing the Clipper for production it was planned to give it an identity of it's own. So, beginning in 1955, the name "Packard" was slowly phased out from Clippers. In 1956, Clippers carried neither Packard scripts nor crests nor the new "V in a circle" logo. Clipper full wheel covers were redesigned, too, carrying the helm motiv (silver helm on black background) in the center and no "Packard" script or lettering.

But, as back then everything had to go in a rush, someone simply forgot retooling the dog dishes, too. When the mistake was remarked it was too late to correct it. So, S-P had no choice than to go ahead using the '55 dog dishes for '56 Clipper Deluxes, too.

These '55 dog dishes still head the red hexagon in the center and a carried a script proudly spelling "Packard-Clipper".

And this is the reason why the cheapest Clippers were the only that bore some factory Packard identification right from the beginning.

Later in the model run S-P began mounting a script "by Packard" on the right lower edge of the trunk as many dealers found it easier to sell a small Packard than an unknown Clipper make. That script was also available as a no-cost dealer retro-fit for already delivered cars.

Finally, S-P managed to dilute the Clipper corporate image right from the beginning. But that doesn't matter, anyway, as Clipper as a make was gone already for 1957. But that's another story...

Finally I got the time to go over your valuable information...

If I understand correctly, the Packard Service Bulletin (55T-27) advices reinforcements to the frame and Torsion Level device when towing more than 500 lbs. So, a solution with a trailer would be difficult as the trailer quite surely would become heavier than this. I'm also hesitating to alter the car irreversibly...

I have seen hitch racks for wheel chairs earlier, but only on www. Of cause, a lot of bike racks that work similarly are sold here but it seems that nobody here wants a wheel chair carrier on the hitch. I still have to find out if they would be street legal in Switzerland.

Aesthetically, this may be not the most desirable solution, (but wheel chairs aren't, neither...). I will contact them. Wonder where the difference lies at prices between 200 and 700 $...

PackardV8: Sorry, your link doesn't work on my PC. Your advice to look for a swing-away solution is very helpfull, nevertheless.

I have checked all the links (Guscha: Your link leads me to the HP but I can't open the pages).

Seems that I could not keep my Executive no longer in our apartment's parking facility (is that the correct word?) as it is already too long for a usual Swiss parking lot...

I can not attend. it's too far away

But, hey, did you see that this is topic No 1,000 in this forum?

I have two problems with my '56 Executive Hardtop (or better: with myself) that probably didn't occur here before:

At first, I have to find a safe way to enter my car (on passenger's side only) as I have a body handicap since birth and use a wheel chair. Earlier, I made the transfer by standing up from the wheel chair, turning then backward to the car's bench, and vice verso. Getting out was easier, as I used driver's side and held my by the bench seat back and the steering wheel.

After an accident at home that doesn't work anymore as I am unable now to stand on my feet...

Second problem is the wheel chair. I have to take it with me as I am too heavy for a light manual chair that just could be thrown in the trunk.

It is an Invacare Storm3 that is close to this new model 3G Arrow:

http://www.invacare.com/cgi-bin/imhqprd/inv_catalog/prod_cat_detail.jsp?s=0&prodID=3GAR-CG&catOID=-536887472

With all those electric motors, it weights about 300 lbs. There is no disassembling beside of a removable seat back. Even then, it is too high for the trunk of the car (and too heavy to get it in without a crane).

We will try to solve the first problem with a lifter. For the second, we have not yet an idea other than:

-taking the chair within our daily driver, a (European) Ford Transit Van with a hydraulic ramp.

-hauling the wheel chair within a carrier.

In case of the ladder: Is it wise to retro-fit the car with a hauling device? Did Packard mention that in their information material and if so, are there data about maximum hauling weight?

As I am a newbee in hauling matters, your advice is much appreciated - and, no, selling the Packard is not an acceptable solution...

Quote:




Beside my '56 Executive, I have a '76 Pontiac GP in Golden Anniversary trim...

OK, thanks for that topic. I printed it, now I have to translate it in German, then I will vacuumize it in amber plastic and at last put it in the glove box.

Quote:

One more to mention is the small Buick V8 that was sold to Rover in the Mid-Sixties. Initially with 3.5 litres (215 ci), this engine powered generations of Rovers (P5B, P6, SD1), Range Rovers, and Land Rovers. It even powered British cars as the MG V8, the Triumph TR8, some TVR's and, of course, the Morgan Plus Eight.

A short article in the German Wikipedia about the history of the marque shows the picture of a beautiful 1934 Packard convertible sedan:



Caption reads "1934 Packard Convertible"

Additional info is that the car was photographed 11th July, 2005 at the Bay State Antique Automobile Club's show at the Endicott Estate in Dedham, MA.

I am quite sure that it is not a Twelve (smaller hub caps), but then, I am not sure. Eight? Super Eight?

I wonder how I can distinguish these series (my eyes are not good enough to do that by wheelbase length )

The link to the article in GermanWikipedia:

http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Packard_(Automobilhersteller)

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Eric, you wre right. My mechanic finally got it working. Next step is to make it street legal in Switzerland.

Thank you for helping me!