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Thought you might like to see a rather special photo opportunity: two of the Amethyst and Carnation 54 Pacifics in one location--beautiful downtown Parkton. These were in a limited run of 50 cars iirc. One of the cars still has its original paint on the firewall and jams

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Hello Ross:
Great photo op.

IIRC 50 of those cars were approved, but only 5 were actually built.

Jack and Merna Holmes donated theirs to the Packard Proving Grounds.

Hi Ross

Thanks for the photos of a rare pairing, probably not seen since they were still at the factory. One wonders why the Caribbean and Convertible wasn't also included in the model availability.

If management wished to utilize a magenta-purple-violet range color, they could have done worse that emulate the Royal Purple Chrysler applied to its '53 Coronation Imperial.

Steve

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In the 50S and 60s car companies came out with different colors compared to present when colors are boring silver, white, black, and shades of red interiors are even more boring to my way of thinking

Ed Cunningham, color design, was responsible for the amethyst cars and all were sold by Earle C. Anthony

Moving on to a new project: a 53 Clipper a customer has ordered as a "service vehicle" ie Packup.

First up was a complete brake job, now followed by an engine overhaul on the high mileage and rather clattery 327. The Ultramatic works terrific and only received some fresh seals. Yes, the Ultra cooler should be black; otherwise the compartment detailing is pretty darn correct. Hope to finish the install and fire it to adjust the valves hot and running next week. Then we will put the doghouse back.

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Time out for parts car mischief:

Someone just had to have a truck right away so I sold him my 56 Clipper shop truck. My "dream truck" is off in the future and I can not survive without a shop truck. One could pick up some old Chev off Craigslist.......or...

Had a 53 Clipper w/ a sweet 327 and OD. Years ago when some extra labor was around had started a truck conversion but since decided not to fix up rotboxes anymore. You can spend your life getting the rear quarters in shape. The thing has sat in the shed for years. Salvaged the tailgate assy for another project and was just ready to yank the driveline and send the rest away to be made into new Kias when my helper spoke an idea that gave form to my own vague thoughts.

So I have cut off the offending parts of the body, closed in the back of the cab, and made a flatbed. Talk about whistling while you work! All the parts for new brakes are sitting in a box waiting for my helper to come back from vacation.

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Nice work! from another old, gray haired, bearded, dude! Ernie in Arizona

Ross

Just spotted the pic of your Clipper pickup (utility in our lingo). It reminded me that one of the RHD Clippers sold in Australia in 1956 was converted to a pickup and lived for many years in our southern state of Tasmania - a bit similar then to your part of the world. When it eventually stopped running, it was left sitting outside then later cannibalised for parts. Some of which I have inherited as spares for my 1956 RHD Clipper Deluxe, including the instrument assembly showing only 81,000 miles (or maybe 181,000 or 281,000!), quite a few of the stainless trim pieces and the hood/trunk mascots.

As far as I can tell, that was one of only three Clippers imported to Australia in 1956. So one has vanished, and two are accounted for. Not a bad survival rate.

Great to see another Packard which has led a colourful life and still in use. And what a bargain!

FYI pic of my car below.

Cheers

Brian

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