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just purchased this 55 clipper custom a short time ago ,started by changing fluids, brake repair , carb. repair fuel pump, you know the grind ,well the hood would not latch so oiled latch did some slight adjustments on the bayonet .and it closed great ,only problem can't pull hood release back far enough to release hood ,any you run in to this problem, thanks in advance

I have had it happen and it was a project to get it to release. If your problem is like mine, I suspect there is a slight misalignment between the hood portion and the lower latch allowing the hood part to be tilted or positioned slightly rearward enough to be caught under the edge of the part the release lever operates.

IIRC, to release mine I put a 90 degree bend at the end of a piece of flat steel -- maybe 1/2 wide x 1/8 thick steel bar stock with the bend being maybe 1/2 inch long to make a kind of hook. With the lever held fully released I was able to work that steel up the same opening in the grill the lever uses and catch the end of the hood portion protruding down out of the latch. Once I had a hold on the protruding stem I pulled it forward slightly while holding the release lever fully open so it would clear the edge of the catch and let the hood open. I believe it did take a few tries and strong words to get the sequence just right.

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Hi Dave:

Which model Clipper Custom do you own? I think if you ever get the hood open again, you will really enjoy your car!!!

G'day dave55,
to PackardInfo.

I invite you to include your '55 Clipper Custom in the Packard Owner's Registry.

Dave for including your '55 Clipper Custom Constellation Hardtop Coupe in the Packard Owner's Registry. That was quick!

I had a hard time getting my hood on my 55 Patrician to latch. Comparing my car to others, I found that my car did not have the brace reinforcementpackardinfo.com/xoops/html/downloads/partslist5556/00_Bonnet.pdf 0.03463

I think this helped stiffen the area where the upper lock attaches.

When you get your hood open, look for a piece of metal that bolts to the hood ornament and the area where the upper lock is.

thanks to every one for there ideas on how to get the hood open,come to find out it was not the bayonet but the secondary latch ,some how it got bent enough so i could not pull hood release lever over.had to pry lever over with a bar and push and pull up and down on hood until it released .once opened i was able to straighten out the latch, works great now.