Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

Hi

Something that appears to be missing are the C-pillar emblems and no mounting holes are visible in the photos. Although it's a minor thing, it might be one of the small differences this first '55 Patrician carries.

Thanks JW for all your efforts to document this historically significant Packard. Although it's preserved for now, doubtful it will be long-term.

Steve

Interesting car, but as someone else commented, the price had dropped to $500, and was purchased by Mr. Campbell, who has now raised it to $3500, with probly mo more effort into it other than hosing it off.
I'm not against anyone making a buck, but it's now improbable that this car will become anything other than fertilizer in Mark Campbells field.

If the car really is the first,,,time to put heat on that guy,,to do the right thing,,,,,,and donate it,, or,, lower his price to 501..

that is pocket change for some ,,,, car owners in this country,

Jack Klat Quote:

Yup. Thanks for screwing this up completely trying to make a quick flip. If it were me and I wasn't an honor graduate from USAFA, I would:

1. Buy a decent, running 55 Pat.

2. Buy the -1001.

3. Swap VIN plates.

4. Sell it for $25,000.

That makes more sense than trying to flip it as is.

Just in case someone misinterprets this post. I am NOT doing this and would never actually do this. I like my own 55 Pat too much and my freedom from jail.

Craig

Quote:

Steve, good catch. Yes, the c-pillar emblems are missing, but there are holes where they were originally mounted. I'll share more detailed exterior photos that will show this feature.

I feel my job is to share what I have seen and learned about the car and let others judge it and its new owner. Mark, said that if he still has the car in April he would consider putting it on a trailer and bringing it to Salado. I thought that was considerate and generous.

(o{}o)

Here are several photos of the interior. As I noted previously, the seats and panels look to be made of fabric and leather, and the headliner of vinyl. It must have been a beautiful automobile at one time.

(o{}o)

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Here are a few photos I took of the engine compartment and trunk. The device mounted on the cowl is part of the propane system. Probably a gas pressure and flow regulator. Steve, Classic Street, told me this is one of the earliest propane installations he has seen. I was not able to determine the condition of the trunk floor as it is covered in engine parts. The photo of the inside of the trunk lid gives a better idea of the paint color. I am also including a photo of the A-pillar water drain channel. I have been told that only the early cars had the metal channel and later ones were fitted with a rubber one. Also a photo of the driver door threshold molding.

(o{}o)

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neat car but not economically restorable, and at $3500 it will sit out and rot because EVERYONE knows he bought for $500.00, looks like the new owner ruined a rare 52 Hudson Hornet Club Coupe too, however these picture are fantastic for information and historical purposes

If it was a 400 it might? be worth saving , A caribbean would be worth saving in this condition big time! In fact 1956 Caribbean 001 was for sale as a project car at the 1999 Centennial flea market area!

JW,
I can not say enough about the pictures you have taken.

I hope this car does not slowly rust into the ground after being saved for the last 20 years indoor, but I think we have all come across those RARE cars that were too valuable to sell, and ended up as scrap.

Another thing I noticed was on the door panel. There is an extra stainless trim, not found on the latter cars.

All these and other marks will be lost while it is outside.

I've seen vehicles with much worse body and mechanical problems that have been completely restored - inside and out. Usually a project like that is a labour of love. Of course, you'll probably be upside down on most any Packard that requires such a restoration.

If it's only surface rust and not a lot of hidden rust-through, then this car certainly is salvagable. Not sure how long its gonna last outdoors in the TX clime, though.

However, unless you restore the matching engine and trans, I suspect whatever value it has as the first one off the line would drop dramatically.

This car could and should be restored to its full original detail as a historic piece, but a project of this magnitude is never gonna get off the ground with a four-figure selling price.

Mike, are you talking about the stainless piece that runs between the top of the fabric upholstery and the bottom of the door window finish molding at the rear of the door? I don't recall such a molding on the 55 Pat I once owned (sold it 20 years ago), and I can't find it on the parts book, either.

However, it does appear in a couple of photographic images (pp. 17-18) in the brochure PACKARD Presents Two Great Lines of Cars for 1955 - the one that kinda looks like a magazine or Sunday newspaper supplement. Interesting that other brochures for 55 seem to avoid views of that area. Meanwhile, other illustrations in that piece also show painted fresh air and heater control panel.

Then, there's a showroom scene (p. 6) with 55 Senior cars that have no ribbed stainless side trim (or lower spear molding), no script plates on the front fenders, no P-A-C-K-A-R-D letters on the hood, and a completely different style of wheel cover.

Of course, this piece is clearly an early announcement, and I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of things were still up in the air, going into the 11th hour. Interesting that some made it into production, however briefly.