Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

I'm told that there was a color available - towards the end of the '56 model run perhaps? - called Flamingo, which, as can be imagined, is a shade of pink, and which does not show up in any color chip books. Anyone aware if this is correct, and does a car exist in this rare color? How would one duplicate the correct shade if there is no chip extant?

Although my goal is as correct a restoration as I can make on my Exec, I'm not above at least considering changing color to another one that's a bit more unusual while still correct for the year, and with a gray/black interior it's relatively easy to make a change.

I can't answer the question directly but in prior years, especially 1954, they did small batches of cars in non-stock schemes to test public reaction. The most well-known of these is perhaps the 1954 Amythest/Carnation combination applied to Pacifics, for which they used a special paint code letter on the VN plate not previously used; for 1954 I seem to recall it was "R" which stood for a non-stock color but not a specific one, i.e. regardless of the non-stock color it was indicated as "R".

So if a 55/56 car was so painted at the factory, I'd expect the paint code letter to be one not already used, like "I" or "O" or "U" or "W", or maybe something like "WW". Of course if an actual car in this color can't be found, this may be near impossible to track down by the usual routes.

Inline with Dave's comments, they also had a special painted '53 Carribean (nick named the Scarlet Lady) which was done a one off for the styling department. It was painted Valencia Orange. Pictures of this car were taken at the PI Meet this year and last, and are in the Archive.

Obviously since this was a one off styling excursive, it never appeared on a paint chip. But it's a very "General Lee" orange.

Yes, they made a flamingo color and I believe a long thread on this was discussed a few years back on the AACA forum. I had one of the cars and found one of the original fender skirts from it last year.

And all this time I thought Packards were a conservative lot with nothing wilder than Rose Quartz or Amethyst. Now to find they had pink as well brings the obvious questions: how much pinker is it than the color they used on the Dodge model I think was called the LaFemme and any chance you still have the skirt and can post a picture.

EDIT: Gerd, that flamingo picture is priceless and deserves a permanent place here. I could almost see some old gal decked out like that trying to attract someone half her age.

Memory says Joel (Packards1) posted a pic of two nuts that were "Flamingo". How about it Joel?

Am trying to upload a pic of a spare wheel that came with the 56 Exec that is alleged to be in the Flamingo color

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It would look pretty spiffy with gray or black 2 tone and the gray & black interior, I do believe. It's certainly a very '50s color, in any event!

Flamingo color code is "O". As in the letter O.

Thanks. And Gerd - thanks for digging up the link to the AACA thread, good info there including the known Flamingo cars - only 5 or 6 ... I'd like to see an actual car or pic of a car in that color so I can get a true idea of the look of it.