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I will attempt to attach a photo showing the body lean to the driver's side on the '54 Clipper. Prbably somebody had to store it outside on a sidehill. Question: repace sptings? Or fix by lowering right or lifting left? is it liable to be front or back spring?

Probably a front spring, although it could be front or rear. Front coil springs often sag on older cars. I'd grease the chassis, then find a level spot to park the car on. Use a jack to level the car. If leveling the front gets the whole car level, you have a front end issue, probably the spring. If leveling the front leaves the rear out of kilter, it's probably a rear spring. Replace front springs in pairs. Bent or incorrect suspension parts or dry, rusty rear springs can cause lean, but the front springs are the most likely cause. A bent frame is a possibility, but not likely. Problems with body or front clip mounts are a possibility. It can be difficult to find a really level spot to park the car on.

Good ideas. Thanks!

It does appear to be a front spring, unless the rear driver's spring is sitting very very low.

I had a broken leaf on my driver's side, which I replaced, but didn't bring it back up to level, so I put an extra leaf from my parts car in which leveled it up. My front springs were good.

Jack up that low corner as TXGoat suggested until the front is level and see if the back is level as well.

Here's how it sits in back:

My parts car sags because it's so rusted that the spring support is half gone and the spring is slipping out. I would assume that you have no such issue with that, but instead I would guess you should replace the spring. There are also shops that can refurbish springs. 1950 lb. load, 90 rate.

This is the part number and application but you can substitute something similar as a pair.

packardinfo.com/xoops/html/modules/parts ... &SearchValue=446570&ButtonLookup=Go

Thanks everyone, all good info. There's a spring shop in Mpls. I can consult... Maybe they can diagnose more. It'll be a question of cost!

Look in the literature archive on this site for service manuals or other service literature for your car. It may contain specific information on how to measure various points under the car to determine the cause of sagging or improper ride height. When making any measurements, it's critical to have the car on a flat, level surface and to have correct air pressure in all 4 tires. Be sure there is no unusual load aboard the car. Also look at the alignment of fenders, bumpers, etc. Measurements need to be made from the car's frame to a flat, level surface, or to specified suspension parts, rather than from bumpers or other body parts. A 4-post lift is a good place to take measurements, since they are usually set level and the steel ramps are usually straight.

The spring shop will definitely be able to help.

While the primary reason for my car sitting uneven was the rear driver's springs, I have found that as I make different repairs it also improves the car's stance. Such as replacing body mount rubbers, repairing floor pan braces, replacing inner and outer rockers.

I think in your case, you're primarily dealing with a bad front spring, but there may be other smaller contributing factors as well.

You'll probably have to order the coils that are made specifically for Packard of your year and model rather than relying on whatever generic ones a spring shop may have but at least they can tell you what's needed. For my 1054 Patrician, it always ran low at the rear, especially with passengers or even a full tank of petrol so I had them reworked. Now it's high overall and doesn't have the stance lower it should but it does still handle nicely.