Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

I found the build sheet for my 1956 400 under the rear seat. Take a look, you never know.

Wow! Was that luck! I removed my seats some time ago and didn't find anything... perhaps under the carpet? I will have to take a look some day!

Thanks!

From the V8 roster

-3656 82 ?-Unknown- Original sent CKD to Mexico
-3657 82 ?-Unknown- Original sent CKD to Mexico
-3658 85 ?-Unknown- Original sent CKD to Mexico
-3659 85 ?-Unknown- Original sent CKD to Mexico
-3660 87 ?-Unknown- Original sent CKD to Mexico
-3661 87 ?-Unknown- Original sent CKD to Mexico

What does CKD mean?

CKD means Completely Knocked Down.

Now that you know that your Packard did time at Packard's Puebla assembly point (today, the hub of VW's vast facility that churns out thousands of Golfs, Beetles and other lines each day) and started out as a CKD car, you can also take some consolation in the fact it was within the last five hundred or so Four Hundred hardtops produced in the spring of 1956.

Mine (5687-4121) is also among the last produced with only 103 Four Hundreds behind it. Both of us have the benefits of most of the production improvements Packard made in the 56s, including the stronger rear axles and differentials. So, keep that beautiful hood and know that yours is a fitting example of Packard's automotive art and pride.

I also hope that as things were winding down some Detroit factory parts picker wasn't scavenging the unimproved dusty bits and pieces that were tucked away so that our cars could be put together without reordering new production from a supplier. After all, with the downtimes and erratic production schedules those last few months, most Packard workers might have suspected that time was of the essence, no matter the slogans like "nothing can stop us now."

This is VERY interesting information for me. Thanks a lot!

I never would have thought the car was assembled in Mexico as cars down here were sold with speedometers in kilometers (including Cadillacs, Packards or any car as far as I know off). One other curious thing is cars down here were generally very austere or plain. Normally they had manual windows, no heaters... and my car has both the underseat heater, defroster, electric windows, etc.

Is it known what CKD meant in the sense of how were cars sent out of Detroit? Was that in primer, or with parts unassembled? Curious mind wants to know...

Thanks,
Victor

A couple of thoughts:

The "CKD" condition of the car would make me tend to believe the Caribbean hood was sent with the car. Why would they switch it in Mexico, if it was delivered that way? And would it make much difference to the guys picking the parts if they put in an upgraded hood that would fit?

Quote from DaveB845:

"...as things were winding down some Detroit factory parts picker wasn't scavenging the unimproved dusty bits..."

Scavenging a Carib hood could have been considered an improvement. As has been said before, lots of strange stuff going on in those days, and probably even stranger stuff with the exports.

ONE THING THAT MAY TELL THE TAIL:

Does it have a hood prop? The Carib hoods needed a prop because of the extra weight of the "scoops." If it doesn't, it would seem to be a strong indication that the hood was an ad-on. (If it does, I guess it wouldn't mean much either way, unless it looks as though the prop were installed in some odd way.)

A few pics under the hood showing the mountings for the hood and prop (if present) might reveal indications of whether the hood was replaced at some point.

P.S. Some folks have reported finding build sheets on the glove box. Like gold, build sheets are wherever you find 'em.

ONE THING THAT MAY TELL THE TAIL: Does it have a hood prop? The Carib hoods needed a prop because of the extra weight of the "scoops."

The 55 Caribs had the hood prop rod, the 56 hood was an entirely new stamping without the lead work used in 55 and did not require the rod.

As far as some factory assembly line folks choosing a Caribbean hood for a non-Caribbean, it seems highly unlikely but I guess anything is possible. The late decision to build the additional 24 Caribbean convertibles and 13 hardtops (do I recall the numbers correctly?) would have cut deeply into the stock of Caribbean hoods and other spares intended for factory stock, as indicated by how hard some of these parts were to obtain from Packard even a few years after the cars were built.

No idea how much it might have changed for 56 but here is a 21st series knocked down for export shipment.packardinfo.com/xoops/html/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=9328&cid=48

The collective knowledge on this site is so vast I am reading each post like a kid in a candy store.