Hello everyone,

I've been told that one item(s) on my '55 has been lost.
So, what I need to know is the ordering info, description, identifiers, etc of the bolts, nuts or fasteners that hold the starter in place. I want to hook up the starter to see if I can talk the levelizer into raising the car's tail off the ground. Hopefully this will work so I can load it onto the trailer without damaging anything.
Thanks in advance,

Jim L. in OR

Thank you but I don't know about the "fleet" idea; I've just about used up my "Toy Allotment" from the Reverse Mortgage. I have to keep some $ for the needs of the '51 and now the '55.

Thank you everyone - and a special thanks for the switch location picture.
I did see the seller's '58 Ford and it IS beautiful! Needless to say, I'm grateful for you finding it and passing me the info.
I hope to have it up and running by late spring - but you all know about time estimates in this hobby. I look forward to seeing your 400. Especially since I almost had one myself.

Jim L. in OR

That '55 Packard in Oregon City you told me about that you said sounded "pretty good"? Well Saturday I went out to see it and while I didn't get to hear how it sounded, it did look pretty good. So good in fact that while it is still in OC, it is now MY '55 Packard.
It does have some issues. While the engine turns, the owner before the guy I bought it from had somebody work on it as it had suddenly died in traffic and had to be towed home. Once inside the garage the somebody jacked up the RF corner and removed the starter. So there it was, RF up in the air, LR down on the ground. And it stayed that way for 23 years until the seller bought it. Unfortunately, when he lowered the RF the LR stayed pretty much on the ground. I'm hoping that once the starter is back in and the electrical system hooked up the suspension system will still work and the car will "right it's self". The seller also said the transmission is "stuck in reverse" so the car can be pushed backwards but not forward. I'm not sure, but I think I may have "cured" that on Saturday. I'm also hoping that it's brake related. Time will tell.
By the way, where is the suspension "ON/OFF" switch on the '55s? I downloaded the Owner's Manual but it doesn't give a location.
One way or the other I hope to get it in MY garage this coming weekend.
The car its self has a fascinating history which I'll retell later. For the moment I'll just say the interior is incredible. The pale blue leather is still glove soft and the fabric only shows wear on the driver's seat area and that is just that some of the metallic silver threads are missing. The original light blue paint is still shiny though the darker blue on the roof has some exposed primer showing through. It also comes with boxes of new mechanical and trim parts. Some of the trim is for a '56 but most is for a '55.
I'll take a bunch of pictures during the move.
And Oh yeah, I did get the VIN so I will enter it in the register very soon.
On top of all that, the '51 enters the shop on Wednesday for it's valve job so I'll have a Packard to drive around on nice winter and spring days.
I'd still like to get a '56 at some point but for right now, I am delighted!

Jim L. in OR

Great news indeed! As a fellow new 1951 Packard purchaser (my 200 Deluxe is coming in on Wednesday) I can only say you've come to the right place for help and assistance. I too look forward to seeing the pictures! In dark blue, a Patrician would look very stately and elegant.
By the way, I too own an Imperial, a 1960 that I've had for 40 years.

Jim L. on OR

Well, that explains why I couldn't find the transmission dipstick on my neighbor's '03 Town Car.....

I saw in the "Operator's Manual" I think, a picture of a technician standing under a car filling the transmission with a "U" shaped fitting on the end of a hose.
Fortunately at the end of the parking slab behind the house there is a couple of foot drop off. If I build out a ramp and make sure that it's level, I should be able to crawl under without too many contortions.
I guess Packard wanted to make sure owners came back to the dealer every 1,000 miles.
Thanks for the info about the access plate up top though. I'll come in handy for fluid changes.

I saw it on Site Mash; 55-56 Packard;
If it wasn't on the total opposite side of the country I'd do if for nothing else but the parts

Thank you, everyone, for all the info about the pre-54 rims and tubeless tires. It is much appreciated. I'm still mulling the bias/radial decision. Fortunately/unfortunately I will have time to think while the valve job and general fluid change takes place.
You people are GREAT!

So far, since joining, there hasn't been a single day I haven't been grateful for finding this group. This information is a perfect example of that.
I'll have to chip in to get you a cape to wear. You'll have to learn the flying for yourself. At least Packard had an air plane engine history to help provide the power.