Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

Hello,

I am looking at buying a 1955 Packard Clipper Custom Constellation 2 door hardtop. The car is an estate sale and is in excellent condition. the gentle who owned it had it for 8 years and his daughters do not know any of the history on the car. They said their dad never drove it in the rain and babied the car at all times.

I have doing a lot of research on the cars and pretty much have found out there really are no parts available for these cars as in engine pars to rebuild or transmission parts. I have read the weak spot on these cars are the transmissions and oil pumps.

I do drive with a little bit of a heavy foot and always have. I live in Penticton BC so surrounded by mountains and would want to drive down to Vancouver at times to visit family and friends. So a lot of mountain driving with a little bit of a heavy foot. So would this transmission last? If not what's next? Seems like it would be pretty darn hard to rebuild it. I see that there is an adapter kit to install a Chee 700R transmission but the kit alone would be $2800 plus shipping, taxes, tariffs so close to $3500 to the door if not more.

Another thing is the motor, at some point it would need a rebuild. Where can you find parts to do a rebuild? I can not find pistons, rings, cams or anything needed to do a proper rebuild. What is everyone doing when it comes time for them to do these things?

Now if you are having to spend $3500 just to switch to a chevy transmission then why not take that $3500 put it towards a nice lightly modified SBC and then there is no worries about parts or fixing anything. I know the diehard Packard guys frown on that but what is the alternative? Just tring to figure out what are you guys doing before I decide to spend the money on buying this car. I mean I love the looks of this car, it is in awesome condition inside and out and would be a great cruiser.


Bruce

My basement would disagree on the rarity of transmission parts. There are TONS out there and all the wear items are available. Just have to know who to ask. (It's not on RockAuto.)

Engines are getting tougher but the oil pump can be swapped for the Olds type which is about $400-500 but is money well spent. The 352 in that 55 is the most common Packard V8.

These transmissions have a perfectly good lifespan, which is helped by proper adjustment. The only thing is you don't know how far along it is (same as anything in an old car). It's easy to install a transmission temperature gauge in the glovebox, which will give you some peace of mind on the long climbs. There are literally countless V8 Packards out there up near 100k miles with only 1 or 2 transmission rebuilds over the life of the car.

Post some photos!

G'day Brew61,
to PackardInfo.

If you buy the '55 Clipper Custom Constellation 2 Door Hardtop Coupe, I invite you to include it PackardInfo's Packard Vehicle Registry.

Like I said still have not decided to pull the trigger on it yet, still trying to decide.But here is a picture of it.

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Oh yeah I saw that one. It looks to be a very nice restoration. The Clippers are rarely restored.