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Good sleuthing Brian - don't know how I missed that. As I said the 472129 harness is listed for 55 and 56 hardtops and Caribbeans, but not listed in the price list. So now we know the part number for the body and the cover.
I made a steel shell to overlay the cover and put all six 4-40 screws in the available holes. The wiring is very stiff and puts a strain on that plastic body.

The parts book isn't always clear on (but the devil is always in) the details.

Yet, keep in mind that I've worked - on and off - for years as a GM parts man (and helped develop an extensive parts X-ref for the CVOA), but "cut my teeth" on the 1955-56 Packard parts book before that.

Now, parts price lists were published and updated separately from the parts book/catalog[/i], and I wondered if the missing entry for P/N 472129 could have been an oversight in the edition you have. So, I checked a few price lists I have for:

Packard (only) Parts, rev. July 1, 1956
S-P (combined) Parts & Accessories, eff. March 1, 1957
S-P (combined) Parts & Accessories, eff. January 1, 1966

...and found no listng for 472129 in any of them. Curiouser and curioser.

It's hard to imagine that part was discontinued so early. If it was replaced by another P/N, it doesn't turn up in the Numerical Index of the parts book. The answer will require a lot more sleuthing.

I updated my previous post, this AM, to reflect parts price list info from my personal archives, but I've since gone back to the parts book - namely the reprint made from an edition updated through 1957.

P/N 472129 is also listed in Gr. 31.2938, for rear quarter windows. Though I've not torn that far into any of my V8s, the dual listing for this and the 1955 sedan harness suggests that P/Ns 472126 and 472129 are single harnesses with branches going to each of the window locations. Still, that doesn't explain the listing for 1956 sedans front doors, P/N 6489038, which is not shown in the rear door listing.

Then, the rear quarter window switch shown for hardtops and convertibles is, of course, the same as used for the rear doors and the right front door - P/N 472087. However, only one terminal body is shown; there is no notation for different lengths.

I now wonder if there was some supersession and additional info on the different lengths of terminal bodies - perhaps even applicable to the front door four-switch unit. However, as things began to come unhinged back in 1955-56, the catalog info may have fallen through the cracks. Mind you, I've seen as much with GM info decades ago - worse in recent years.

Clearly, the answer lies elsewhere. In addition to bulletins for service, the factory also published bulletins for parts, but they are seldom seen. Alas, I only have a handful, mostly marketing new products and accessories, but nothing on this matter.

I recently purchased Packard Accessory PA475160 NOS in the original box. One of the antennas had already been put to use and was not there. The antennas were originally shipped to:
Oklahoma Packard Co.
901 North Broadway,
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
The following pictures details what I received.
469540 antenna - 1, 475101 mntg bracket for Clipper - 2,
469564 mntg bracket for Packard - 2,
472196 Antenna switch w/439926 name plate,
439932 knob w/retaining spring (Clipper),
475163 Bakelite insulator - 2,
469513 dome nut - 1,
472023? wire support - 2,
xxxxxx sheemtal screws - 4,
xxxxxx machine screws - 2,
sheetmetal antenna screw - 1,
Caribbean rubber grommets - 2,
469756 400 gasket - 1,
large unknown gasket - 1,
smaller unknown gasket - 1,
475134 harness - 1,
469737 17 foot antenna lead - 1,
I also have the instruction sheet and as soon as I can press it under glass and get rid of all the wrinkles I will post it also.

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Does this set have the elusive grommets that you were seeking some months ago?

Yes, they are pictured above. I am going to carefully measure them to see if I can find a supplier.

So far I have not been able to find the grommets that match the measurements of the ones that came with the antenna, but I'm still looking.
I purchased the rubber to rebuild the rear load-arm links and proceeded to tear apart the left rear first. Jack stands under the frame, under the rearend and under the load arms. Friend Mike suggested using a heavy paint much like POR-15 but cheaper. As we all know, I am cheap! Paint is called Chassis-Saver. Wear rubber gloves as this stuff takes a long time to wear off. I sand-blasted or bead-blasted all the components first. All left side painted and ready for reassembly. I did note a flat washer on the corner of Bracket (15.993). Washer listed as 445548. I don't remember a washer on Best Other but it has been a good while ago that I did that. The washer goes on the central bolt of the three that bolt the bracket to the frame. It would appear this is to spread the load of that bolt.
edit 12/14/09 The washer goes on the rear-most bolt, not the central bolt. The other two bolts go through the frame and a bracket. The washer makes up for the lack of a bracket.

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I started to mount the vacuum tank and the solenoids on the "new" left front fender and checking the parts book (4.2265) it says that I need two cup washers, but four screws? I walked over and looked at old fender noting that the screw holes for the solenoids were in a different location. I called friend Chris because he has an unmolested 56 Patrician. He did a little digging and looked at his Caribbean and the Patrician. He called back and said if two of the holes were in the reinforcement stamping, then two cup washers were needed to mount the solenoids level. If the holes were not in the reinforcement stamping then no cup washers were needed. This was an early left fender because it did not have the mounting holes for the drip strip. I took pictures of the two different mounting holes and also the mounting of the aux tranny cooler.
Edit: Afetr cogitating for a while, I believe the mounting of the solenoids was moved inward at the same time the drip strip was incorporated. The inward move would get the solenoids further under the outer fender and away from any water. The drip strip would channel water away from the PB relays. The move inward required the cup washers to mount the solenoids level.

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This pertains to the earlier reference to the forged crankshaft found in my Carib. I thought I would post it here as well. Information is from the Studebaker Service bulletins.

I finally found the text for which I was searching: RE: 440989 and 440912
PACKARD REPLACEMENT CRANKSHAFTS - 5580 AND ALL 1956 MODELS
Crankshaft part No. 440989 is supplied as a service replacement, for the 5560-80 and 1956 models, and supersedes Part No. 476009. Part No. 440989 is a drop-forged shaft and does not have the large openings or holes through the connecting rod throws. All oil passages and lubrication openings remain unchanged.
In some cases, due to a stack up of tolerances, interference at the rear counterweight and cylinder block may be encountered. When this experienced a portable grinder may be used to grind off sufficient stock from the CYLINDER BLOCK to provide a safe amount of clearance for the counterweight.
CAUTION: NEVER remove or grind any stock from the crankshaft.
Part No. 440912 is available as a service replacement for models 5522, 5542, and 5547
Part No. 440912 replaces Part No. 440594

Did you find that through the site's Service Index?

As immersed as I have been in the 51-54 and now 48-50 topics, I would have never recollected that specific article, but a check of my files shows it was included when I originally worked up the V8 content, which covers alll the Studebaker Service Bulletins.