The seller claims one is a prototype, it looks like a 56 with 55 seats, modified rear door panels, courtesy lights added on the C pillar and front kick panels ...could this be an 'Esquire'?

The other one has floor-mount manual trans added along the way, with the pushbuttons still in place

https://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/cto/d/packard-patrician/6215203761.html

I remember Mooney Volkswagen at the same site in the early 70's. We had a 1965 VW Beetle when I was growing up and vividly remember going there for service. A story in the now-defunct (McKeesport) Daily News about the history of McKeesport car dealers showed a picture from 1958 when as Mooney Packard they were also selling Studebakers and Edsels (they must of been not too busy). They make a smart choice switching to selling VW's They moved to a new location just outside of town in the mid-70's and the site is now a car wash. More info at this link:


http://www.tubecityonline.com/almanac/entry_1440.php

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Great concept!..I always though with Roy Abernathy (formerly of Packard) the chairman at AMC, whom went on a program to compete head-to-head with the Big Three (and Teague head of styling)that why didn't they try a Packard revival..maybe the bad blood between Nance and Romney in the mid 50's had something to do with it? A Packard revival would of given current AMC/Rambler owners a 'step-up' brand and AMC could of reaped additional profits and prestige if the concept was executed the right way.

A little off topic, but one of my pie in sky projects was to add Electromatic to Chrysler's semi-automatic Fluid Drive transmission...that way the only thing manual about it would to be lifting the gas to shift.. this matchup seems what Studebaker was trying to do with its ill-fated Turbo-Matic

I have never been in a Packard, so my speed record is 0mph, though I would die for a ride in a T/L equipped one on a bumpy road!

I dropped off my 08 Chevy Aveo (BIG LEMON!)for yet more warranty work at Day Chevy.. and while waiting for the morning bus I saw a 56 Exec hardtop driving by!...if you are on here, great car and made my morning more exciting!

Jerry

For myself, the interest has been there forever, but getting the time/space/money gods to align has been the issue...at the age of 46 the best thing I could hope for would be a ride in the back seat of a T/L Packard while going over some bumps....

Jerry /Pittsburgh,PA

Here is the link to the Popular Mechanics article from 1955



http://books.google.com/books?id=aN4DAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA110&lpg=PA110&dq=1955+packard+25000+mile+test&source=bl&ots=vkVMY3iMG8&sig=GGoM2DPTtpidf8EcesgZAc6nAuc&hl=en&ei=yWWaTa6DMYbk0gGhvZmDDA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CBwQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=1955%20packard%2025000%20mile%20test&f=false

Congrats on your purchase....I looked at it last Sunday and am glad it has a great new home ..please let me know if you will be at any local shows with it

Jerry