Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

Hey everyone im about to get myself a fun project here soon I was curious do you guys think it would be better to just bend sheet metal or cut out a Rear from a 400 and weld that on?
Plus does anyone know of any cheap-o 56 senior front Fenders?
Very curious to hear what all of your guys thoughts are!

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To add context here, Ayden wants a convertible project and can pick this one up for a song. Gonna be a bit of a money pit but not as bad as it could be since it's a Caribbean.

Main question is how to repair the crazy rust in the back.

You're going to need a 400 donor car....and a trust fund.

In my mind if I get a Decent 400 with good chrome I can use the rear metal and the bumpers and any interchangeable chrome, and I’m gonna do everything IN-HOUSE, the only thing I’m gonna send it to a shop for is a convertible top and convertible top boot.
The paint and all the mechanical and electrical systems me and my buddy are gonna do ourselves
I’m just happy the door panels in the car and some of the Caribbean chrome is in good shape

There is a pair of NOS front fenders on FB Marketplace near Pittsburgh at a very reasonable price.

Also, check out my ancient post here on "Packard skin grafts". Sorry, no idea how to do a link; generally 1950's technology is more pertinent to my world so my brain refuses to remember 21st century tasks.

Thanks Ross! We have been in touch with those guys. Waiting on word back.

And here is your link Packard skin grafts

I had mentioned to Ayden that this might be possible since I had remembered when we were parting out that '53 three years ago what you had mentioned about being able to cut the tops of the rear fenders to patch the bottoms. Glad to see this is also applicable to a 400; there is a rotted 56 400 by Rochester, that probably has good top fenders, that we may have to pick up. Would hate to see these get picked off a low rust car.

I’ll look for the post you made 😁 and I saw those im waiting for the owner to tell me when my buddy can go check out the fenders

The front fenders are from Randy's parts stash

The amount of fabrication needed to craft lower rear quarter panel sections would be tremendous. Your best bet would be to find a donor car. If you can locate a 400 that is relatively rust free, but otherwise trashed, you would have a realistic chance of salvaging this car. Otherwise, it is going to be very difficult.

Someone may have a trashed 400 that they would be willing to cut sections out of. Years ago, I was attempting to restore a '51 Convertible with a lot of rust and Mike Dulinsky sold me a cut out of a trunk pan section. This saved a lot of fab work and as it was original Packard sheet metal, the result was probably better than could be achieved with hand fabrication. Mike may be able to help, so I'd suggest reaching out to him.

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