Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

Randy,

I could not find a MES with a 90 trim code in the 56 roster, but I may have missed it.


Back in 2001 I purchased the blue print for the zipper ass'y folding top rear curtain. I was looking for answers too.

Here are some pictures, not sure it will answer the question.

Enjoy

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A pic of door plate. I edited the number for privacy reasons.

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Randy wrote:

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Is it possible that this is analgous to no paint code stamped for special paint jobs? (Isn't the trim code area on that data plate of your SPECial 56 Pat blank?)

A production record for such Caribbean might be quite telling in this regard.

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The extract of info from your print seems to provide corroborating evidence that the inside of the 55-56 convertible top was keyed to the interior trim color.

The drawing was originally made for P/N 429580 that was used on the 51 Convertible (2469) and then carried forward through 54 (same Gr. 31.0625, but in the 48-54 parts book). Other numbers that were subsequently added represent some sort of variation.

P/N 438513 was added for the 53 Caribbean (2678) and carried forward to 54, but no reference to color.

A new P/N 438711 was added for the 54 Convertible with green tops, while the parts book shows existing P/N 429580 is now specified for tan or black tops.

Curiously, P/N 438710 is not shown in the parts book - nor is the corresponding blue (bulk) top material (Gr. 31.4744), P/N 449682. Perhaps they never made it into actual production.

P/Ns 463662-63-64-65 were added for 55 Caribbean, and 6488128-29-30-31 for 56 - all referenced to exclusive trim set numbers. Notations indicate "to match inside surface of top material", with P/Ns that the parts book identifies (in Gr. 31.4744) with same colors and trim set numbers.

Randy,

Does this car have electric door locks? Looks like it also has the manual TL override switch. I will have to look again at the 56 list.

BH,
I think the blueprints are the next area that could/should be researched for answers to some interesting "why did they" questions.

The 54 blue top convertible was discussed in another post. In the 54 senior brochure there is a picture of a blue convertible that Packard never offered. But there was one some on EBay, can't remember who purchased it.

The current owner installed electric door locks, underseat heater, and factory air. I think (not sure) he also has the TL manual control switch. I understand he is having the original interior redone at the present time.

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Engineering drawings are about as close as you'll ever get to the horse's mouth.

Yet, keep in mind that a "blueprint" is a copy made from an engineering drawing - as such, a snapshot of that drawing at a particular point in time. However, an original engineering drawing (usually drawn in black ink on white vellum) can be a dynamic repository of information, which may have "the rest of the story".

Unfortunately, it is not feasible for me, either financially or logistically, to conduct such research from either physical archive. Under the current paradigm, people will have to undertake that on a case-by-case basis for their own particular needs, but hopefully they will share the fruits of their labor here.

Getting back to the "headliner", remember that a collection of sample cards for many, though not all, of the bulk trim used during the 1950s was scanned and donated for the site's Literature and Manuals archive. Those images were also parsed out into individual selections for the Photo Gallery. So, we have a few of these samples for the top material used on the 55-56 Caribbean that show the backing:

P/N 463470 for White top material with Green backing (Trim Set 93)

P/N 6487002 for White top material with Green backing (Trim Set 93)

P/N 6487003 for White top with Vermillion backing (Trim Set 90)

BTW, check the corresponding card for any of the available top material images that show the white side, and if you look closely and you can see the grain. Those for 6487002 and 6487003 show the leather grain that was used for 56th Series, while
463470 shows the diamond pinpoint grain that was use for 55th Series - corroborating what has been reported in these forums by experienced owners.