Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

I drove my 51 Packard to my dentist appointment this morning. The receptionist told me her father in law had a 55 Patrician for sale - he is 83 and is downsizing. When I called him, he explained that he was given the car by a friend, and that it is supposedly running, with working torsion bar suspension, newish paint and interior. So far so good, but he said that it is a 56, not a 55 and is not a Patrician, but an "Ambassador". I told him that sounded like a Rambler, not a Packard, but he insisted that it is. Before I make a two hour drive, has anyone ever heard of a Packard Ambassador? It might be a neat car, but I'm afraid that it might be a Nash with a Packard V8. If it looks good, I'll post photos of it.

56/56 Ambassadors were supplied with the Packard V8, but were really not "Ramblers"...rather they were sold under the NASH name... If the car does indeed have torsion level, it can't be anything but a Packard...there was of course no such thing as a 'Packard Ambassador'.....J.J. Nance would be spinning in his grave at the thought (!), and so would George Romney...come to think of it !

May I suggest a few digipix by email from the seller to you?

Craig

There are a lot of questions you could ask the guy to help identify the car.....: If it has squeeze type door handles its a NASH.. if it has a handle that you push with your thumb to open the door its a PACKARD. If the headlights are in the grill...its a NASH.... If the gas filler is on the passenger side its a NASH...if its on the drivers side its a PACKARD. If it looks like its standing still even when its moving...its a NASH...... If it looks like its moving...even when its standing still.. its a PACKARD.... see its really very easy... Ha.......

Bet the Nash folks really love you! I'll probably go out and look at it - it's on a ranch outside of town and the owner is in an assisted living home in the town.

David,

Do you think the seller might have confused "Ambassador" with "Executive"?

I have a '56 Nash Ambassador Custom with the Packard V8 and aluminum cased Ultramatic...rather rare car with factory air (the Weather Eye) and power windows (not many Nash's were equipped with 'push button windows'....) The Nash people are usually easy going about the jokes with their cars...(usually)...and you haven't lived until you've had to change a tire on a Nash with those enclosed fenders.... btw....The Nash equipped cars with the Packard V8's seldom experienced the oil pump/bearing problems due to a different oil pump and oil pan... And the Ultramatic is an entirely different beast when coupled with a torque tube and four coil springs that the Nash chassis had.....

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Sounds great until you actually see it... On the other hand, it works...

Do post us a picture!

I agree about the picture. I've had a soft spot for the mid 50's Nash & don't think they were that bad. The Hudson version on the other hand has to be appreciated by a select few. Particularly interested in the Weather Eye AC details. Very few photos of those ever seen -- probably because as you said, few were made.

I should have photos next week. The owner's daughter in law drove the 100+ miles to the ranch to make some photos for us. She assured me that it is a Patrician.