Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

I have the accessory booklet and the salesman's guide and there are several items listed, the wire wheel hubcaps are listed (my car came with them originally) but no wire wheels.
Perhaps they were on a dealer letter rather than the books.

Got me. I think they are a bit on the pimpish side; can't believe they sold that many in the day.

Mine are repros and came with the car. In our club they seem to be considered quite stylish since a number of members have them, on sedans as well as hardtops and convertibles.

I think I would have been reluctant to pop that much had the car just come with steel wheels.

Still, if you got em, show em......

The presence of wire wheels on the V8 cars long had me scratching my head.

Yup, they're not mentioned in any accessory brochure or the saleman's data book. They're not listed in the Accessories section of the 55-56 parts book either, but appear as service parts in the Wheels section - noted as "Wire Sec. Equipt." (and 5 per car). Applications showed chassis 5580 and 5680-88; 5580 includes model 5588 (Caribbean).

It wasn't until I landed photocopies of Trade Letters 55-1001 and 56-1001, that I found an acceptable answer. Both list code "CW" for Chrome Wire Wheels, but only as an extra cost option on the Packard line: Patrician, Four Hundred, and Caribbean models (which are chassis 5580 and 5680-88). Suggested Retail/List Price was $325 for both years.