Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

How's the headroom front and rear in the hardtop coupes of '51-'56 for a 6 footer? Is it plentiful, average or tight? How about getting in and out of the front seat, any issues with the lower roofline?

Much thanks,
Paul

I'm 6'0 and regardless of whether its a 2 door or 4 door, these cars were built for comfort in every way...sitting in them, riding in them and driving them is like doing it from your living room. They don't really have a low roof line, the higher belt line just makes them look like the roof is lower and getting in and out of them is easier than anything manufactured today.

Thanks Gator, much appreciated and good to hear.

There is a problem getting in/out of the rear seat of a 2dr HT if you're a large adult male, unless it's a 1956 Caribbean whose front seat backs tilt straight forward, not at an angle. Therefore, a 55-56 2dr HT is not really suitable as a "wedding car" because a woman in a full wedding dress would have some difficulty, if not embarrassment, during ingress/egress.

A 55-56 Pat on the other hand is more like a limousine and has 5IN of extra leg room in the back compared to a Junior or Senior 2Dr HT. The Pat is much more suitable as a "Wedding car."

As posted above, headroom in any Packard would not be a problem even for an NBA player.

Craig