Thanks for that info!! The car is presently Tangier Red and Dover White, but the Corsican Black & Red combo is gorgeous too and I wanted to make sure that '56 Execs were actually painted in that scheme before considering potentially making that color change. Decisions, decisions.

Thanks for the plating tips - those parts are missing altogether, so I will have to find some first to plate! I'm sure looking forward to some swap meets this Spring, and then Gettysburg come July! Are there any Red & Black Execs in existence?

And exactly what is wrong with selling a parts car??

Thanks for sharing that excellent knowledge.

Thanks and I look forward to corresponding with fellow Exec owners... I know it needs a few minor trim pieces starting with the Circle and V for the rear deck

Cool 96 convert!!
There's one in Pennsylvania as well.

When I was a kid in Baltimore in the 50s, a neighbor had a yellow DKW 2 stroke car, I think it was a 3 cylinder 2 stroke, like the SAAB 93 and 96. DKW was a predecessor or part of Audi I believe, it even had the rings on the grille. Weird looking car, and it smoked a lot, worse than a SAAB. We still have 5 SAABS in the family... boo hoo SAAB RIP

I'm a pragmatist - if the original equipment BTV, UM, pump, etc, can easily be made to work well, fine, but when the safety or hassle factor intrudes, I'm also fine with some smart improvements...

So this leads to an oil pump question - I'm aware of the issues - did the last 3-4 months of '56 production have the mods necessary to ensure proper oiling and reliability for NORMAL moderate usage (no drag racing, I'm not a leadfoot), since my upcoming Executive would have been built after March 1956. I'm under the impression that improvements were made by the factory late in the game.

Please add me to your eMail list: firesweep"at"verizon.net

Well, made an agreement to buy an Exec today, but it'll keep the original 352, I do like the V8s as well. My old '56 Pat also had a 352, so it must have been a transplant, and it had a FLOOR shift UltraMatic! Someone just cut a hole in the tunnel and rigged up a crude shifter...must have had some electric push button problems! Anyhoo, THIS one will stay all stock, except possibly for brake system dependability improvements.

Well, this former '56 Pat owner (me) today made an agreement to buy an '56 Executive Touring Sedan from Sue & Bill Johnson who are well known members of Mid Atlantic Packards and owners of some truly gorgeous V8s. It's a red and white car originally from CA. I knew the previous owner in CT, and had even planned on buying it 5 yrs ago when a move interfered. It's currently at Ross's place in MD and a project, but hopefully a sound one. They did get it running sometime after it arrived in MD. No paperwork as yet, but will put it on Oz's registry, (or maybe it is already?) when I get it, and will post some pics when I can figure it out! Should be a fun project, and I'll be asking the Johnsons and ya'll for advice on a regular basis, no doubt.