Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

I was told when i baught this car it was a 54 packard clipper... I cannot find anything that looks like my car!! I went on the model info. & put in tag #'s. That says she is a 53 clipper touring sedan... The #'s on the tag read:2692 5958, paint code:C trim:33 can anyone help????? It is very hard to find out what exactly she was supposed to look like....specs., etc. with wrong year & info.

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2692 is the designation for a 1953 clipper sedan, 5958 is the sequence of production for that model (starting at 1000) so your car is the 4958th of that series. The 1954 clippers had the "sore thumb" tail lights and a slightly different trim scheme.

Basically you have done enough research to figure out that you indeed have a 1953 Packard Clipper. In some ways, I kinda like the 53 best but it really is just a matter of taste. Be glad you have a good car to work with.

I cannot find any pics of this exact car.. my hood ornament is missing...I have the airplane looking one in the trunk, but it doesn't fit the existing holes. Should this car have the swan? I also am missing the two trim pieces that come off the grille and around to front fenders. Any ideas on where to find these?? Thanks so much for all the help...GREAT SITE FOR BEGINNER!!! THANKS AGAIN!!!

As mentioned, visually the easiest ID is that 54 has the sore thumb and earlier Clippers have vertical tail lights. Another ID if still original engine, would be engine numbers would start with an "M" in 54 and an "L" in 53.

The chrome pieces should be readily available and am sure someone will come along with them. The hood looks to be a different color and may have been replaced. 51-54 will fit so very possible if it has been, the ornament would have different holes.

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Then she's definately a 53. Any thaughts on hood ornament question?

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more pics

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pics

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I saw big kev's pics of 53 clipper deluxe toring sedan. Looks alot like mine except trim over taillights(from what i could see)do u have any more pics of that car? (different angle shots?)

Look at the '53 Sales Brochure here on the website, lots of illustrations of the various models. The side trim is a bit different between the Clipper Special, Deluxe, and Super models. Some of "factory" pics that came from the Detroit Public Library are actually misidentified or have incorrect descriptions so don't rely on those as the gospel. Generally only the seniors (non-Clipper) had the chrome fin on top of the fender. Also '53 Clipper had thin headlight rings, while the seniors had thick headlight rings. The '54 Clippers use the thick rings (same a '53 Senior), and the '54 Seniors had the rings with the little fin on it.

Not only are the sore thumb taillight a sure sign of a '54 clipper, but also '54 didn't use side trim with the barb head on it. 53 was the last year for the barb-headed trim. Besides the basic grille shell, all the rest of the trim on the '54 is different than the '53 model clipper models.

Also the '54 Deluxes and Supers have an extra piece of chrome trim that goes under the bumper extensions (the piece you are missing).