Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

On my 55 Clipper 5562, it has one reverse lens on the left and not one on the right. I havent seen any others like this. Anybody know the story on that? Also it has gold script on the dash that says custom and deluxe script on the hood, please tell what car I have lol. Thanks

If you have 5562 on the door pillar, it should be a Custom and each tail light should have a clear lens under the red for the backup lights which came standard according to the RPO list Brian supplied. Are you saying there is no clear lens on one side or do you mean you have a single individual backup light between the trunk & bumper?

If the first, someone has done some interesting body and fender work and would sure like to see a picture as to how they did it. If no clear lenses at all, again it's interesting as to why not. If the light under trunk, then that was the optional backup light for lesser cars and no idea why it would be there on a Custom unless someone just added it. I guess there is the possibility the lights were not standard after all and the dealer added the kit instead of chasing the wiring for the regular ones.

The hood could well be a transplant so would ignore that emblem for the time being and go by serial #.

i agree, i'd like to see a photo. if the car had been hit in the right rear, it is feasable that a 54 clipper, which did not have the b/u lite mounted under the t/l, was the only available patch panel donor.

Attached is a photo. I could not figure out how to paste it in here.I added the URL and it was just text.

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I would vote for greendragons answer. The car was probably damaged and the fender and trunk lid from a deluxe (which didn't have backup lights) was installed. Any evidence of repair work?

Nothing too obvious, although the rear bumper is about an inch and a half closer to the rear of the vehicle on the left side.

You'll probably get pretty much unanimous agreement with Dragon and HH. If the bumper is closer on the left rear, it probably got tagged on that side in a different mishap. Maybe somebody had a tree that kept jumping into their driveway when they tried to back out.

The seams look pretty straight between the trunk and the fenders and lower lip, and the paint looks pretty well matched. I'm guessing it's an older repair. Check under the trunk lid--same color? It should match the body color. If they painted it, you'll likely be able to find spots they missed.

How many Packards ya got, anyway?