Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

Here are the first photos from my visit to 5582-1001 yesterday. I'll send more as I get them organized into categories (Exterior, Interior, Engine Compartment, Trunk, Engine, Transmission, and Miscellaneous).

The first group of photos is the numbers of the Patrician. First of all the engine and vehicle numbers match. There is no body dash number/theft proof number, only the triangles are embossed on the cowl wall. I was unable to locate any Utica stamped number on the transmission case, only cast numbers on the back top. The license plate is a 1968 Texas, which probably means it was last driven that year.

Engine Bell Housing: F304 (June 30, 1954?)

Cylinder Head: H134 (August 13, 1954?). I was only able to look at one of the heads. The other one was under engine parts in the trunk.

Engine Number: 5582-01001 has a leading zero; however, the Utica number does not have this. Were they expecting to make tens of thousands of these engines?

All the numbers point to early production. Do not know if the engine and transmission were the original ones, but casting numbers support that it probably was. Transmission tailshaft is cast iron.

I send more photos and additional comments about the Packard and my visit.

In the meantime, enjoy.

(o{}o)

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JW,

Thanks for the great pictures.

Unless that is a C.... I believe the Utica number does lead with a 0, just not well stamped

Was there an earlier thread on this car that I missed? Can it be saved?

"Was there an earlier thread on this car...."

Yes, here.

I believe the Utica number does lead with a 0, just not well stamped

Utica engine and transmission numbers are preceded by an alpha character denoting which car line the engine was for.

This is the 2nd 55 I've heard of or seen with no body dash or theft-proof number, the other was a Clipper with a low VN (5542-1035).

Now seems to be the time to talk about the events that took place before I went on my photo safari to photograph the Patrician.

About 3-weeks ago the then current owner asked around the Texas Packard community to spread the word that he was selling what he believed to be the first production Packard given its serial number (5582-1001). I was contacted and discovered the car was in Austin. I called the seller about visiting him to photograph the car. He said the car had been in the garage for so long that the garage door would need work before it could be opened, and that he would call me when this was done. Not hearing from him, I called and he told me the car had been sold to a party who lives near Austin. He gave me the name of the new owner and sent over 20 photos he had taken when the car was being removed from the garage.

I contacted the new owner, Mark Campbell (Classic Street, 3406 Herman Sons Rd., Taylor, TX 76571, 512-352-2886, www.ClassicStreet.com, www.OldCarDisease.com) and made arrangements to examine and photograph the Patrician. Mark and his assistant, Steve, were most helpful and welcomed my visit. Mark operates what first appears to be a salvage yard. On closer observation are a yard full of projects waiting for a home. He has no interest in restoring the Packard and wants to sell it. He is asking $3,500.

I found the car sitting in the yard. The engine and transmission had been removed from the car at some time in the past. Engine parts populate the trunk, wheels and tires are stored in the back seat area, the transmission and engine are outside the car as well as the radiator and condenser, and a pallet of miscellaneous parts. The car is sitting on wheels and tires and is off of the ground. The windows are all down and the interior is getting wet.

The Patrician appears to be complete except for a missing glove box and door and some trim items. It is in better shape than expected. It is certainly a restorable automobile. I do not know about body rust, but it does not appear to have any except for severe surface rusting. The car was in a garage for about 20 years and was outside for about 25 years before that. 1968 Texas license plates were on the car and this is probably the last time it was driven.

It is well optioned being equipped with power steering, power brakes, power windows, power seat. EZ Eye glass is still in all the windows. Of course it has a radio and heater-defroster. The interior material appear to be leather and fabric on the seats and panels. The headliner looks to be vinyl. It appears to be still wearing its original paint which is a single ivory color. The windshield and rear window appear to be undamaged. In addition, it sports an aftermarket air conditioning unit. The car was also fitted with a propane tank sometime in its past.

The previous owner, Lockstedt, is said to have purchased the Patrician from a person named Goodspeed, who had an address in San Antonio, about 20 years ago. Lockstedt's goal was to restore the car, but this never happened.

I just about have the 100-odd photos categorized and ready to post. In the meantime here are a few of the exterior of the car as it was being removed from its long-time home in the garage.



I'll post photos of the interior next time.

(o{}o)

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bought for $500 and now $3500, now the chance the car will get restored goes from 50% down to 10%, how nice

The early production cars were very "dirty" and required extensive on site modification prior to shipping.

A later example has higher build quality.

The motor sitting around rusting is not much use either.

Money is better spent maintaining nice cars than a rat like this one.

As an exhibit it is noteworthy, but at this rate it is going, going, gone.

At least the interior is getting washed...