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Tim Wile

Ward 1956 Packard Patrician stolen by Charles Starkweather

Home away from home

I've recently read a number of articles and books on the Starkweather homicide spree that took place in Nebraska and Wyoming in late 1957 and early 1958. In doing so, I noticed that the vehicle in which Starkweather was captured was a 1956 black Packard Patrician. Starkweather had stolen this Packard from a businessman, by the last name of Ward, in Lincoln, Nebraska, after the husband, wife, and maid were killed.

I've appended two photos of the Starkiweather Packard that I managed to find on the internet. Notice the shattered rear window that resulted from the Wyoming chase in which Starkweather was captured. The window was shattered by police gunfire. While Starkweather was not shot, he was hit by some of the flying glass from the shattered window, causing him to bleed, which is why he pulled over and surrendered. The left rear bumper also looks damaged. Whether that happened during the chase or when police towed the vehicle from the scene, I have not learned.

I was curious whether anyone knows what happened to that Packard. Was it repaired and continued on as someone's vehicle? Was it destroyed or junked by the family after it was released by the police? It would be something if that '56 Patrician was still extant and in whose ownership it is in now.

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Posted on: 2016/12/29 13:45

PA Patrician (Tim Wile)

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FREDERICK E WILEY

Re: Ward 1956 Packard Patrician stolen by Charles Starkweather

Just can't stay away

I recently saw the movie of this event and they used a Cadillac. Not even the correct year. I think it was white.

Posted on: 2016/12/29 15:29

Fred in Florida

1948 Deluxe Eight Sedan 2262

HH56

Re: Ward 1956 Packard Patrician stolen by Charles Starkweather

Forum Ambassador

Nice if there were some drivers side views. From what is visible on the end shot there doesn't appear to be much side damage to have the bumper end twisted around. Wonder how or what happened to catch and damage it like that.

Posted on: 2016/12/29 16:04

Howard

Tim Wile

Re: Ward 1956 Packard Patrician stolen by Charles Starkweather

Home away from home

I recently watched "A Crime to Remember" on Investigation Discovery on the Starkweather homicide and they used a 1956 Studebaker instead of a Packard. Very disappointed.

Posted on: 2016/12/29 17:14

PA Patrician (Tim Wile)

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Tim Wile

Re: Ward 1956 Packard Patrician stolen by Charles Starkweather

Home away from home

The Packard was owned by C. Lauer Ward of Lincoln, Nebraska. I haven't seen any side shots of that Packard.

Posted on: 2016/12/29 17:20

PA Patrician (Tim Wile)

[size=x-small][color=000099][font=Georgia][url=https://packardinfo.c

Let the ride decide

Re: Ward 1956 Packard Patrician stolen by Charles Starkweather

Home away from home

This production used a 1955 Patrician. Go to the end to see it. This production was done in North Texas. I could have had them use my 1955 Patrician. I did not want my car painted black.
m.youtube.com/watch?v=qkCyzL8m9oE

Posted on: 2016/12/29 22:26

PSAutomobilist

Re: Ward 1956 Packard Patrician stolen by Charles Starkweather

Just popping in

I don't know how to source it, but Old Cars Weekly did a feature on that exact car in the late 70s/ early 80s and the car still existed at that time. It had been nearly new and only slightly damaged in the adventure, and was repaired with the exception of Starkweather's blood spots on the headliner which they had learned to overlook.

Don't know if it still exists today.

Posted on: 2020/2/26 16:11

Packard5682

Re: Ward 1956 Packard Patrician stolen by Charles Starkweather

Just popping in

Hi everyone! My name is Mitch and I am new to this site. I have been reading the comments and questions about the existence and where abouts of the 1956 Packard Patrician solen by Starkweather and just wanted to let everyone know that it exists! How I know this is that I own the car! Long story long. After Starkweather's execution, the car was purchased by a family in Gothenburg, Nebraska. The windshield, back glass, and the rear bumper damage was replaced by a family friend. The purchasing family drove the car for several years and it eventually ended up being parked in their cattle feedlot. It was offered to our family friend and he bought it with the intention of restoring it. He parked it under a shed roof on his farm, where it sat for many years. His health deteriorated and he eventually died. His wife always knew that I wanted the car, so I bought it from her. That was in 1988. It was in a very bad condition. I got it started but the transmission was shot and the engine was not far behind. There was a lot of rust in the rocker panels and rear quarters. So I decided to do a frame off restoration. That started in 1993. Well, life got in the way and I am now just starting the re-assembly of the car. It is a jig saw puzzle that has been apart for 30 years but I am making headway! I have another 56 Patrician that is a parts car and am using it as a reference guide for the re-assembly. If anyone has any questions, I would be glad to answer them!

Posted on: 2022/6/1 23:55

humanpotatohybrid

Re: Ward 1956 Packard Patrician stolen by Charles Starkweather

Home away from home

Nice! Do you have any pictures of it you can post?

Posted on: 2022/6/2 5:07

Packard5682

Re: Ward 1956 Packard Patrician stolen by Charles Starkweather

#10

Just popping in

Here are some pictures of the Starkweather Packard. The first 3 are what the car looked like when I got it. The later ones show the progress in it's reassembly.

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