Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

So I think after 20 years of fawning over Packards, and especially 55's & 56's (though I do love all Packards) I am about to get mine.

Put a deposit down on this beauty (in the PDF attached) on the 23rd. Going with a friend (who is a collector) on the 26th to inspect the vehicle just to be sure it is everything it appears to be. I'm just lucky it happens to be in my own backyard!

I don't have an image of the data plate yet, but once I do I will enter it into the registry. I've been reading for forum (for nearly a decade) and I know of only one major "to do" once I get the car: replace the BTV. I understand there are two schools of thought replace vs. rebuild. I want to remain as stock as possible BUT remaining stock doesn't take priority of driving enjoyment & safety. It's gonna be a test of my abilities as it will probably the most complex mechanical undertaking I have ever attempted - but I enjoy learning how to do this and get a lot of satisfaction of being able to say I did it myself.

With that in mind are there any other immediate things I should be doing with this Packard? Anything I should specifically look for during my inspection?

I'm already going in with the mindset to be sure the Ultramatic & TorsionLevel are operation properly and that the oil pump will probably have to be converted as well.

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Congratulations thats a very nice Christmas present!

It does appear to be a decent car. One of the less commonly seen Patricians with manual windows. The upholstery looks redone and even though the original jacquard style fabric was probably not easily found or was way too expensive for the redo the choice they made still looks quite presentable.

Check for rust in the usual spots -- rocker panels, the corners of wheel wells, front floors at the junction to the angled portion where wet feet would normally land and, in case the trunk lid rubber has leaked, the trough at the extreme rear where the trunk floor meets the vertical panel just below the lid opening. On 55-6 also check around the "eyebrows" just above the headlights. Road slush can get thrown up and sit on a kind of flat shelf. 55 is not quite as bad as the 56 because the eyebrows are shorter and less pointed but still vulnerable.

Hi

Looks to be a nice Patrician, exercise all the advice given. I seem to recall this car was discussed here at one time when it was determined it has a '55 Clipper 320 c.i. engine. Check the engine number when you inspect it. The engine serial numbers by series are in the Model Info section, best to take them along in notes.

Steve

oh, very interesting. I wonder why someone would put a Clipper engine in it.

Pictures of the engine bay show the correct ivory color but I can't see if it has the proper embossing on the valve coves.

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Hi Trevor K

Probably the Patrician 352 engine either needed a rebuild or was damaged or 'sick' and the Clipper 320 was readily available, cheap and ready to install.

You shouldn't dismiss buying it because of this, just make your deal taking this into account, if it checks out to be so. Most likely, you'd notice little difference in drivability, might not be quite the 'hot rod' at the stoplight but that's not why one buys a Packard anyway.

Make sure you check the engine series serial number, don't depend on my memory, I may not be correct, could be confusing this '55 Patrician with another one.

Steve

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-> This way please to a 1955 Patrician with Clipper engine.

I'll definitely check it out, thanks I probably would have overlooked it had you not said anything. I wouldn't dismiss the vehicle if it did have a Clipper engine, I would just adjust my price. Also, you're right - you don't purchase a Packard if you're looking for a hotrod.

@ Guscha I was just reading that, but I thought they concluded that due to the casting number it was a 352 not a 320.