Packard Forum Index » Modification Discussion

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Yup, I always figured a good starting point for a truck/El Camino-ish conversion would be a flower car as it already has a truncated passenger compartment and an open bed of sorts. I wonder if anyone still makes that type of professional car any more.

Here is a side photo of the 56, which is #5. I've put 12K miles on it since the conversion, but since it is mine, have not gotten around to making it pretty. She shows 119 K miles and the bottom end is getting a little rumbly...Ah, the shoemaker's children. She's quite pleasant to drive and the lifters are quiet if I keep her a quart over full. Included is a shot halfway thru the conversion.

The red 51 200 is #1, which I did with gear start ultra, 3.07 rear, and a ported and relieved 288 with 4bbl.

The blue 53 Clipper Deluxe is #4, with 327 and overdrive/ ported relieved, 3/4 cam and 4bbl. Its a snappy performer.

Next up, #6, is based on a 55 Patrician and the guy wants it solid red. Should be an eyefull. It comes back from paint this week.

Its all about fun with cheap used cars. You get way more bang for your buck with Packards. If these were Chevrolets they would be too expensive to modify! (and not as much fun to drive)

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I can't help but think the Clippers might look better with the original rear window grafted on and the rear doors welded shut.

Ross,
I am loving your creations more and more ...

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We are 4 cars short of 500 on the Owner Registry.
How many Packard Pickups do I see here????

Here is the place - - -
packardinfo.com/xoops/html/modules/registry/

DanL

Ross -

Thanks for posting all those pix of your work.

It sure is nice seeing such craftsmanship instead of all the hacked-up, half-baked rat-rods that turn up on eBay and the like. Yes, your work on these examples is much in the same spirit as dealers from back in the day might have done with low-value "trade-ins" - to make their own service vehicles.

I dunno about using the rear section of roof, together with the wraparound window, though. It would not only sacrifice cargo capacity, but create a real headbanger upon entry and egress, as the sedan front doors are a bit too short. One might get some help by studying design cues from later El Caminos, but that would still take a heckuva a lot more work.

BTW, I believe your '56 Clipper pick-up was at Warren this year, but sorry I didn't get a chance to meet and speak with you in person.

There was to be at least a Studebaker (if not also a Clipper) El Camino for the aborted 1957 model year.

Yes, I believe they were gonna recycle the name "Coupe Express" for the Studebaker car-based pick-up.

I am playing with making an extended cab Packup by moving the rear portion of the roof forward about 20 to 24 inches and retaining the wraparaound rear window. The difficulty is that the cars are much wider at the c pillars than they are at the a and b pillars so one ends up with a LOT of extra sheetmetal from side to side in the roof that has to be cut and welded, kind of like darts in a fitted shirt.

To get proportions and ease of entry, there will need to be a quarter window behind the door, about the size of the former rear vent window. Its a lot of work, but it will look very cool. No time for that just now.

Ross,

Have seen the red truck at PAC meets. You do nice work. I had always thought about doing a 56 Clipper truck. Can the rear glass be used as the back glass. Inverted (con-cave)like a El Camino, or would that take too much space?

Those windows are deeply curved, and I think you would loose too much space. Find a picture of the roof Henney used on the 51-54 flower cars. That would be about ideal, but would require wasting a hardtop. Oog.