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And So it begins:

Virginia car found in mid-Michigan. Restore began in 1980's with Interior, headliners, and paint. Restore abandoned.

Seats and door panels were replaced with vinyl, not correct, Body is solid no rust anywhere, paint in fair shape, most likely will re-paint.

Front end suspension and rubbers in good shape, Rear pretty much shot and some rubbers missing.

Torsion level rear arms removed from saddles so system needs wound.

Decision: Lift off body and put it on the Totally restored frame I have ready to go, or go through entire frame and restore on the car.

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If there are no #s on the frame lift and swap to your finished. With your skill and attn to detail Troy- swap it over for now and restore this frame and if you feel it important for the body to go back onto its orig at a later time, do that. You certainly have many irons in the fire. alot of work. good luck.

This will be an awesome car when it is finished -- it looks like you bought the one that was in the Thumb area of Michigan that has the factory air conditioning. It was a bit of a lust object for me, as it was my ideal year and color and option list, but it just didn't fit in my scheme of things. I'm very glad that it has landed in appreciative hands!

I don't think the chassis had "theft-deterrent" stampings of the VIN on it, but I will have to defer to people with a finer knowledge of the Conner Avenue cars.

As much as I like keeping them as original as possible, it doesn't make a lot of sense to duplicate your efforts and restore a second chassis -- unless you have unlimited time and money, which most of us don't! All the A/C goodies are either part of the body assembly, or will come along with the engine, or could be transferred, so realistically, it makes sense to do a swap.

I'm glad you got this car, Troy!
I had watched it on its many appearances on eBay. I wanted it because I've long wanted a solid black '56 Patrician with factory A/C, but I just don't have the means to restore one right now.

I'll be following this car as you work on it just as I'm following your other projects. All the best to you and your Packards!

Congrats! You have a lot of projects going on!

Machined, Prepped Painted and ready for assembly.

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I'm watching this with GREAT interest!

Too late now, since I'm mostly done re-assembling my engine, but do you normally paint then re-assemble? I was planning on the opposite, so that my fasteners, etc. all got a fresh coat of paint after assembly. All of the factory pictures I have seen show painted fasteners, at least on my model year.

It all depends on your preference for aesthetics. I personally have always painted first. I do not like my gaskets painted with the engine, I want distinct appearance and character, I do not paint over my freeze plugs and fasteners. I tumble my fasteners clean to their original black oxide or replace with new. If I am doing dress up, which this engine will have I use all stainless bolts and studs.

Thanks for the info! I am mostly trying to make it look stock- not sure what the original scheme was.