Well I decided to split the difference between the advice I received (granted Llray55 might be a bit biased). The upshot is that finally, after 44 years, I am once again a Packard Owner. Next is brining it home (anybody have some advice/warnings about enclosed transport?). After that it's spending the coming winter in my garage getting to know my Packard.
The goal is by next Summer my Packard will have reached a state of "Usable Preservation" for use as a "Sunday" Driver.

Jim L. in OR

Thank you! That was really what was needed - a good dose of "reality"! I have a tendency to be a "seller's dream" and a banker's nightmare when in comes to old cars.

Thanks again,

Jim L. in OR

Hi everyone,
I stumbled across this website last week and already you all have been a source of very helpfull information.
As I mentioned in another post, I'm looking for a 55/56 Packard. I have my eye on three. The one that I really could use some advise on is a '55 400.
It's a Southern California car and is in an amazing state of preservation (long term storage). The main issues it has are rust on the driver's side front floor but most importantly, the engine is "stuck". I've rebuilt engines before though never a Packard engine so I'm not overly concerned about that.
What I need to know is how high should I go with my offer?
Any thoughts, help, ideas would really be appreciated.
Thanks in advance,

Jim L. in OR

Oh well, it was a long shot. In a close look at the rear in the picture it looked like this one has the extended trunk - a sort like the 81-85 Sevilles. Mine didn't - the rear of the car sloaped down at a fairly steep angle. I think the ones with the larger trunks were called "Touring Sedans" - not the same meaning of the phrase today.
Are you going to keep trying for it? I would have thought $3,000 wasn't too far off the mark but I don't have any reference material that goes back that far.
Thanks for checking for me though, I appreciate it.

Jim L. in OR

I'll be happy to register as soon as I can. And yes, it would really be something. Either way it's time my parts found a new home.

Jim L. in OR

I read through the thread and made notes. Thanks for pointing me to it - I appreciate it.

Jim L. in OR

That would be great! I hope to be needing something like that is about a week or two.
Thanks

Jim L. in OR

I really wish I'd had this information 40 years ago - not that it would have made much difference to my parents. I second the motion for good luck on the "deal". As far as what to look for, I recall the windshield wipers were tricky. I had to keep pulling the switch up and down to keep them working. I'll hunt up the hubcaps should you get the car and need them. If it is my old Packard - it won't have any at least probably not the right ones. I still have the screw driver from the tool kit as well.
Anyway, good luck!

Jim L. in OR

Thank you for the welcome!
I'm actually dealing on a couple of Packards. One is the 400 I mentioned and the other is a '56 Patrician. I hope to get at least one. At any event I will be needing all the help I can get!
Thanks again,

Jim L. in OR

It certainly was a big hitch on mine! I sold it in the early/mid 60's to two High School age guys. My parents handled the sale as I refused to have any part in it. As you can imagine this sale caused a rift that took some time to heal. Fast forwarding 40+ years, I was going through some papers from my parents house when I sold it. Among them was the original title to the Packard and some registration cards from 1952 & 1946. I pulled them out of the safe tonight and the Factory Number (VIN?)was 893X3956. The Motor Number was X4842. I think I have the license plate around here as well.
Let me know what you find out - I'm real curious.
I promise I won't try and swoop down on it. I'm actually tied up with a deal for a '55 Packard 400.

Good Luck,

Jim L. in OR