Hank:

For purposes of comparison, if nothing else, I think you should contact Original Auto Interiors. They claim to sell New Old Stock fabrics. I sent them an inquiry bur I still have not heard back from them. This is the website:

http://originalauto.com/products/n-o-s-original-seat-cloth-vinyl

Their telephone number is 1-586-727-2486. You might give them a call, since they are not prompt in getting back via e-mail. If they are as good as their site implies, they might have the original NOS material you are seeking; not printed new material that looks like the original. Besides, at the price SMS is asking, you should definitely get a second opionion.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Hank. All the best to your fine family.

Craig

Hank:

That looks pretty nice to me. I was just worried after reading Ross' comment about the fabric. Once you complete your restoration, you will have a 100-point car. Some folks are reluctant to drive them arouind for fear of the uncertainties of roads and parking lots, which is pretty understandable considering the amount of time, energy, and money expended to achieve this accomplishment. Out of curiosity, how much of the fabric did you have to buy to cover the seats?

Owen, JW:

Thank you for this information. This is not going to be easy due to the time gap, but I will continue to post my progress so that it might be useful for others who want to find out about their cars.

Does anyone out there know where I might find the production records (i.e. when cars were finished) via their VIN numbers? I would think there must be some kind of record source. Also, didn't Packard list which dealerships received new cars via their VIN numbers? Is this where Stuart Blond gets his information? Packard had to keep records of these things ...

This is good information, guys. I have tried to contact the owner of the car during the 1980s, but he has not replied. It may be that he is dead, but he seemed a little young for that outcome. I know that he bought the car in Albuquerque, NM in 1982 and that he maintained very good records of how he restored a car described in an early note as "a parts car." He obviously did not see it as such.

Among his records I found a worn receipt for maintenance performed on the car in April of 1962, but I cannot read much on the receipt due to missing pieces, which includes the name of the owner of the car at that time.

About a week ago I wrote a letter to the New Mexico Department of Motor Vehicles requesting information (after an earlier e-mail request wasn't answered). I have not heard back from them, but I am not giving up hope.

I am a member of PAC and I will contact Stuart Blond as you suggested. This is a lot like detective work.

I own a 1955 Packard Clipper Custom Constellation (5567) that I purchased near Richmond, VA in June 2012. This is a lovely car in great condition. Since mechanically and cosmetically it needs little attention, I decided to undertake a project to discover the history of the car -- when it left the Packard factory, the name of the dealership where it was sold new, the name of the car's first and subsequent buyers, and any other facts related to the car.

I realize that this is not going to be an easy project. Online VIN search engines usually go back no more than 20 to 25 years, which won't help me since my car is 57 years old! I must contend with privacy issues related to information about VIN releases. I have sought information from one of the previous owners, a gentleman in Minnesota who bought and restored it to its current condition, but he never replied by to me. Neither did a request to the New Mexico Department of Motor Vehicles for information.

So, if any of you folks out there have conducted similar searches, please let me know any methods or tips that led to success. Thank you.

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Ross:

That is a good observation. Unless what you want is a trailer queen to haul back and forth to shows, as opposed to a real driving car, then weak fabrics are not optimal. I had an old Ford for awhile with a cloth interior and like your description of the star fabric, it began to split and fray even in places where no one sat. The black cloth currently in my Clipper does not contain stars, but it is of good quality and strong. I think I'd be a bit hesitant to replace a good interior with a weak one. My Clipper is a driving machine, not a show boat.

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Hank:

That is great news! I found a photo of what is alleged to be the original fabric, which I have attached. When it comes to measuring how many yards of fabric needed to upholster the seats of this car, remember that the surfaces are stitched into ribs of about 1 1/2 inches each. Needless to say that this adds more to the actual amount you think. I will have to find out the amount; I might have to measure the seats in my car. $95 a yard? Geez, that is expensive! I will let you know what I find out from Original Auto NOS. Maybe they will be cheaper, or at least give us a way to negotiate a better price.

Hank:

My provider at home was having a problem delivery my personal e-mail, so I do not have the response from that fabric provider at this time. I will check when I get home this afternoon.

I agree 100% with you about buying up stock of that fabric. Funny, I mentioned that to my wife as well. After about 25 years, my Clipper needs a few touch-ups, though nothing major.

I have to tell you, Hank, you picked a great car to restore. The Constellation is a fantastic driver and feels great at any speed, very confident in traffic or on an interstate. It steers, brakes, and even turns a lot like a modern car and the ride from the torsion-bar suspension is exceptional; nothing like wallowing whales of Cadillacs and Buicks of that period. The turning radius is unusually tight for a car of its period and size; it is easy to parallel park and I have successfully made a U-turn without corrections on a 2-lane street.

When I bought my car in June I had some reservations about it. I had considered something a bit older, like a 1941 120; but in retrospect, I couldn't be happier with my selection.

When you finish your Constellation it will be much prettier than mine and it will dazzle everyone who sees it. Folks who know nothing about Packards instantly recognize that their is something very special about these cars, and the fact that you restored it yourself will be a source of pride for years to come.