Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

Hey y'all, I just recently acquired what I was told was a '56 Clipper Super. I'm also very new to Packards. I did some research and determined it is actually a '55. But, I just saw a picture of another '55 and the reverse lights are in a different position. I would love some help identifying this car. If there was a tag in the door jamb, it's not there anymore.
Thanks in advance.

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If the engine is the original there will also be a number stamped on the top of the block in the space between the oil filler tube and left head. It may be faint and partially covered by the oil filter but would have been the same as the one that should have been on the door pillar. That looks to be a two door so if it is a 55 Super hardtop it would begin 5547-xxxx.

The car is a 55 but reverse lights were optional on the lower models. If installed at the factory they usually appeared under the tail light as those are. If a car was ordered without but an owner decided he wanted them later on the dealer would install the kind that bolts on the panel below the trunk lid.

Here is the 55-6 number chart and where to look for the motor number.

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The 1954 Clipper back end looked the same and had round backup lights farther down and, as Howard mentioned, sometimes dealers added that type to the 1955s that didn't already come with them. The ones on your car are the factory 1955 type rather than being dealer add-on.

As for the year, simply look at the VIN tag on the driver's door jamb which will begin with 55 for 55th Series or 1955 model year! If 1956, it would have begun with 56. Howard, of course, is absolutely correct but engines get changed so not always a clear indicator of year by now.

As a Super and being a 2-door hardtop, yours is a 1955 Packard Clipper Panama.

Thank you! I'll try to hunt down a tag on the motor and see what I come up with.

So, I checked the tag on the motor and it doesn't match anything on your list. It's a '56 motor and I think it's a 352. 5667-2037

Not a tag. Stamped directly into the block casting using the individual metal stamps you hit with a hammer. Numbers should be around 1/4" high. They may be faint and covered in grease and dirt so you may need to clean that area carefully before seeing them.

I apologize Howard. They are stamped, it's not a tag. But those are the numbers on there.

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Yep, motor has been changed. The 352 would also be correct for a 55 Custom Constellation Hardtop. The number would have started 55 for it to be correct though.

With the built in reverse lights there is a possibility that car is a Custom. Does it seem to be fairly well equipped and how does the upholstery compare to the samples in this book? If upholstery is still original and decent enough to compare that is one way you can usually differentiate between a super and custom without having numbers.

5667 came out of a 56 Custom Constellation and 2037 would be an engine in a car built early in 56 Clipper production.

EDIT: Just saw the Super script on trunk lid so unless the lid was changed too that is a good indication it is a Super.

I'll some more digging. Thank you again.

MikeSC,
to PackardInfo.

I invite you to include your '55 Clipper in PackardInfo's Packard Vehicle Registry.