Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

Exner and the MoPar line of cars for 1955 took the world by storm, but it was soon discovered that that 55 through 57 MoPar line had great rust problems.

Having said that I have always had a soft in my heart for the Chrysler Imperial. Had I been old enough in 1955 to make a choice of buying a new Imperial or Packard Patrician, that would have been very hard to make a decision. It would have probably in the end been an Imperial.

I think the coolest looking Imperial's were the 1961 through 1963 models.


John F. Shireman

I believe I'm correct in saying that the severe propensity to rust began with the new 1957 Mopar body shell, the 55-56 cars were no more prone to rust than the others of the era. And boy, those 57-59 cars could rust! Especially the Plymouths and Dodges; people used to joke that if you listened carefully you could hear them rusting as they sat.

Owen, You are correct. The '57 really began the era of severe rust although as I recall my dad's 57 Ford needed rocker panels in about 2-3 year also. It was an industry wide problem.

Owen: From I have witnessed as a kid the 55 and 56 Mopar's had more than their share of rust problems. I maybe wrong but I stand by my statement. As you have state the 57 through 59 were real bad.

Reminds me of the Honda's and other Jap car's imported here during the 70's, that had severe rust problems in three or four years.


John F. Shireman

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John, The Japanese imports were very bad for rust in the 70's for sure but I had a 3 Mercedes-Benz cars in the 70's that were pretty rust prone as well and then there was the rusty Fords and the Plymouth Volare etc. which were practically biodegradable from about 72-77 until they began using galvanized metal. My '78 Ford LTD was a very solid car as have my 2 other Ford Crown Victorias.

Gusha, great picture and aren't those 1106 LeBaron roadsters just phenomenal! I believe at one point, perhaps at Pebble some years ago, all 4 were on the field at the same time. They all have interesting histories of ownership, especially the Chappelle car with the murder of an owner wrapped into the story. I believe these pictures are of the Sternheimer (spelling?) car. I should give photo credit to someone for these pictures, but forget just where I got them from.

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Guscha. We share the same affinity for our tastes in cars. About my only attraction to any motor vehicle for collecting purpose is EXTERIOR STYLING. I don't really care about the interior nor eng'ring of a car. Some of the most beautifl cars ever made suffered mediocre mechanicals. Cord, Jag, and even the 55-56 Packards among others.

It's the styling i'm after. The mechanicals can be corrected even if it takes an SBC conversion to do it as last resort.

OR, just like a woman, the only thing that matters is beauty.

Gusha, here's a few more of the 34 LeBaron series. The Bahre roadster picture is from a calendar I believe. The quad picture of the roadster, coupe and 1108 phaeton are all from the Marano collection, along with the Vignale. The black phaeton is also Bob Bahre's. And the other coupe is the Zeccardi car, the one opdated with a 35 nose.

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I'm curious about the seating position of the open PREwar Packards. (Roadsters, convertible etc.)

I'm 6'2" tall. Would such a person be looking out over the top of the windshield frame or maybe directly at the top of the frame or sitting appropriately looking about center of the glass????

I suspect people of 6' 2" were a smaller percentage of the population in the 30s than today and may well have been given a bit less consideration in dimensioning the seating positions, and seats had less adjustment, usually none up and down though you could raise or lower the steering column a bit with a kit. Perhaps the enclosed dimensioned section diagram of a 1934 Super Eight coupe-roadster will help you answer your question. These dimensions are relatively typical of the mid-thirties. Remember that it was quite in vogue for custom body builders to use lowered windscreens, though they may also have lowered the seat position as well. Another point about seating is that the front seats were actually quite narrow, strictly 2 people, and not a lot of extra room at that. If you want similar dimensioned drawings for the closed cars or other body styles, just say so.

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