Opened the glove box on a whim... found 2 clocks in the glove box and a nearly flawless owner's manual for the Executive. There is other owner's material in the glove box and I will scan and share, if wanted.

I'm just barely cracking the surface.

If you do have a clock, I would be interested in purchasing it from you. Also, if you have some body parts for said 56 Executive sedan that you would be willing to part with, I may also be interested in those as well.

It's early in the game and I don't quite have a plan yet. (Or a garage for that matter...)

I just got the car back from Pennsylvania and haven't been able to gather enough information about it yet. I will be posting as I get started on it. Unfortunately, I work for a major railroad in NM and don't have a lot of my own time to tear into it immediately.

I already know that the fender skirts, clock, and a couple of outside emblems are missing and there is a LOT of body work to be done. I may be asking for some pictures from Executive owners for body panel detail. The condition of the torsion bars is unknown, but since the car is sagging towards the front-right, I believe that the right short torsion bar is broken and will need replacement.

I will be installing a modern power train (thinking carburetor GM 305 or Chrysler 318 and auto transmission with custom mounts and drive shaft) to get it rolling as soon as possible. The 352 V8 will be painstakingly rebuilt and returned to the car, but I may forgo the Ultramatic for a modern overdrive transmission and modifying or eliminating the push-button feature altogether. Treadle-vac is going away for a modern power booster and master cylinder setup. Other modifications I am considering are TBI on the 352, electronic ignition, alternator, front or 4-wheel disc brakes (saving all original parts, of course) and the list may continue. I also am considering the fact that my wife would like to drive it on occasion and so hand controls are another option to consider as she is wheelchair-bound and cannot operate foot controls.

Nothing has been set in stone and I may change my mind later. Time and money are some factors I have to consider. My goal is to keep the outward appearance and function as original as possible and only modify some of the behind-the-scenes workings of the car to improve safety, reliability, and fuel mileage.

Here's some pictures that show the non-restored condition. I welcome constructive feedback and look forward to posting more when I have time and progress to report. Thanks in advance!

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Update: The 83 Dodge wheels fit perfectly... No mods needed.

The Executive is currently on its way back from Pennsylvania to its new home in New Mexico. I was not able to go get it myself, but my mom and her mechanic friend took the trip with my truck and trailer. They are getting the "ooh and aah" treatment on the way back. It certainly has garnered a lot of attention.

The car is mostly intact. Couple of cracked door windows, but the windshield and back glass are intact and all of the trim is still on the car. There will be some body work to be done as I was told there was a couple of rust holes on the body. The drive shaft was already disconnected from the differential (Grandpa's doing some years ago) and the 352 V8 engine and Ultramatic transmission are still in the car. The interior seems to be in half-way decent shape and they found the original key in the ignition lock.

I will post pictures soon after it makes it back here. As of right now, they are in Dayton, OH at the Wright-Patterson Air Museum... admiring some other Packard's of that time... :)

I have a 1983 Dodge D-150 that I am borrowing from and the wheels are the same as the 1980 D-100 that you reference. Thank you for helping me with that dilemma.

Bumping...

I need to know the pilot (center-hole) diameter for my 56 Packard Executive (5672A) I am fairly sure about the bolt pattern (5 on 4.5"), but I am not near the car to check its original wheels. I was going to take a set of wheels and tires off my Dodge truck to use as rollers so that I can load it on my trailer to bring it back home to New Mexico.

If any of you could check the pilot diameter and post it for me (in inches or mm's) I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks!!

--Thomas