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My buddy Bob sez I should post some pics of a recent project. This is a 52 200 "Packup" with 288 and overdrive. It is one of a series of 7 that range from "all done" to only just started. This is actually #3 but the project was held up a while. This just needs a couple pieces of beltline trim and a headliner before it ships.

I always use tacky run-down 4 doors that no one wants to restore anyway--doing my part to keep resale value up for the rest of you guys.

The yellow and black 56 is my own shop truck, #5. With torsion level its very handy for hauling blocks to the machine shop, picking up sand blast sand and the like.

I leave the rear doors openable for access under the bed for tools and luggage you don't want people to see.

We fabricate the beds here and frame them in heavy tubing to maintain rigidity; a Packard sedan has all the integrity of a piece of warm cheese once the roof is cut!

That's Bob's sedan as the "before" example. Enjoy.

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Ross,

Very creative art work on creating these "El Grande Boulavardes" (or whatever Packard might have called them). Please add them to the Owner Registry [and indicate the 'modifications' you have described in this posting]

I always wonder what happens to a parts car that isn't fully-parted. You have recycled these Packards with the class they deserve. They become your 'worker-bees' in the Packard restoration hive. (enough metaphors already )

I like them. Nice work! Tastefully done!

DanL

Interesting and appears nicely done. A lot like a white one that was around Los Angeles & said to be an Earl C. Anthony conversion for a shop truck--although I think that was a 2 door. Do you have any side pictures of the 56 you can post?

Great job! Reminds me of a later model Kaiser I saw years ago that had been converted into a tow truck. Gadzooks!

Ross, I didn't know you had it in you! Reminds me of my old "HudTruck"! Mine had a 429 Ford and a '96 Cougar IRS with a Pacer front clip for 4 wheel disc brakes. It would burn rubber like no tomorrow! Sadly, I had to sell it when I moved to Salina, and the guy I sold it to has completely parted it out, to the point where he torched the Pacer front end out of it and removed the rear end. It was sad for me to go look at it a while ago, as it broke my heart to see it like that. That is when I decided I'll never sell another car that means so much to me.

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Quote:
DanL, I second the motion! Please include the Packard Pickups, here we'd call 'em "Utes", in the Registry.

Nice.

Another approach to a "Packup" is being done by Sue Ann, wife of Paul whose 56 Exec is featured here:

1956packardpanther.com/PaulProject.html

The donor car is a 1956 Clipper 4dr with T-L, so it will handle the "heavy loads" with aplomb.

Her stylistic approach is somewhat different. She had the roof cut so that the front door was eliminated. The whole rear door and rear window assembly was moved forward, making a 2-door out of it.

The next time I am in Las Vegas, I will make a point of getting some pictures of this work in progress.

Craig

Hi

Nice jobs! Although I'm not usually a big fan of pick-ups built from large sedans, these are nicely done.

Now for your next conversion project consider: a '51-'56 Clipper station wagon. For the rear roof section and tailgate area, the parts from a '54-'56 Buick or a '51-'54 Chrysler/DeSoto/Dodge look to be the best fit. While those cars aren't common, they still do show up as parts cars.

Steve

I'd like to see a '48-'54 Henney Senior ambulance made into a pickup. I think that would be rather easy to do.

Hi

Another conversion I'd like to see would be a '51-'54 Henney Senior hearse or ambulance built into a parade phaeton. Think of a Packard version of the '50 Lincoln Cosmopolitan parade phaeton used by President Eisenhower.

With the top and upper door structures removed, then a trunk area section from a sedan fitted. That section would also have seat back mountings. The rest of the rear passenger compartment could include a set of folding jump seats out of another make 8 passenger sedan/limousine. A light folding top structure would be desirable too if the car were to be usable in inclement weather.

All finished in a classic dark blue, with flag staffs, lights and step plates and handles for the security detail, it would be a kick to drive in local parades.

Steve