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That AC unit has another interesting anomaly. Henney was what I would consider to be a master of packaging so building the car with that trunk install brings up another question.

When you can take a commercial unit designed for a building walk in box running on 110v and package it so it is installed and functioning in a mid 30s combination car (ambulance/service car) as was reported in The Complete History of Henney book or take the later Packard designed B & B unit, redesign and package that in an ambulance cabinet it kind of makes you wonder why they didn't rearrange the blowers on that AC unit so the outlets point more toward the floor and the duct direction.

It would seem if the excess ducting taken up by pointing upward and then transitioning down thru a tight bend was eliminated air flow would have been improved. Wonder if there was originally some kind of cover over the unit and it was done quickly because it was out of sight out of mind or if Henney actually did that install.

For sure a '52 Cowl. The shape of the windshield gives that away.

Actually, Kev - it's a 1951. I'm sure you meant to say '52 or earlier.

Hi

I'm delighted to learn this last effort by Ray Dietrich will be recreated/restored! As badly deteriorated as the original body is, at least there are still plenty of solid '51-'52 Patricians to become the basis and parts sedans to donate the necessary mid-section components. I hope you will create a project blog so we can follow its progress to completion.

Steve

Why?

The money would better suit preserving a nice original example that may become a victim of poor long term storage.

Dan and Fred respectfully disagree. They have many nice cars which are kept indoors in dry storage, some for over 50 years. This car is one of the last and possibly the very last coachbuilt Packard and very much deserves saving. For 10 years they have owned a stripped Patrician body shell in excellent condition and to restore the limousine will be perhaps 35% more than the Patrician. Would they rather have a 3rd 51-54 Patrician or a Ray Dietrich designed coachbuilt limousine, easy decision .

Thanks
James

Hey, go for it! Just blog it here, please.

Craig

Definitely all in favor; the stretched doors and small rear window will give it very nice lines, and it is a unique slice of history.

Now I just need someone to belly up to the bar and place an order for the same thing done to a 56. I have it all worked out in my head.......

This car is one of the last and possibly the very last coachbuilt Packard...

Well, certainly not the very last. 250 Henney limos and at least 13 or 14 other Derham formals and other styles followed it. And I suppose one could argue that the '53 Caribbeans were coachbuilt. But, regardless, it's historically significant as one of the last Dietrich projects; his last facility opened in 1949 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, d/b/a Raymond Dietrich, Inc. and closed 2 years later - probably his most noteworthy creation during this time was the Lincoln Cosmopolitan convertible for President Harry Truman, later fitted with a "bubble top" during the Eisenhower administration.

I've had a long-term interest in this car and I'm all in favor of seeing Dan and Fred bring it back to life.

It looks like pretty much all of the parts would be stock except the extension, rear doors and rear window (although the rectangular middle piece used on the seniors might do). The Kanter brothers definitely would have the extra parts to complete it. It would be interesting to see the reconstruction of it!