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I have to disagree with su8overdrive.I have seen many low mileage original post war Packards (46-54) and the build quality is excellent if not better then GM and Ford. He is right about those post war Chryslers.They are truly well built machines.The 55 56 Packards are a different story but that was more a product of where they were built (Connor ave vs East Grand Blvd)

Much appreciate the words of wisdom and especially about the dangers to be aware of. I've been calling around and believe for a good price I can get the entire interior cleaned out and disinfected.
Now to work the price and logistics.

PatGreen's sooo right about the '56 Patrician with Torsion-Level compared with the wallowing '60s Cadillac. I rode in a '55 or '56 Patrician with Torson-Level and the firm, steady, serene ride was impressive. Packard issued a promo film showing such a new Torsion-Level Patrician gliding over a railroad crossing at 35 or 40mph nonplussed, while the new Cadillac and Lincoln bottomed out, sparks coming from one of their rear bumpers as they grated on the pavement.

However, the Patrician i rode in was a low-mileage, always garaged, mint California car back in 1977, only 21 or 22 pampered years old, not a rodent infested, abandoned projectcar.

It's testament to the character of the gentlemen on this site that all the above have given Dangermiller "level" advice and not the usual clubbie rah-rah and misery loves company palaver.

Aside from the usual plating, there's a lotta anodized trim on such cars, and that can be expensive to redo, assuming you can find a shop that knows what they're doing.
And the interior's going to be expensive.

Admittedly, i'm a prewar Packard guy, and if i somehow had to have a '50s barouche, i'd domestically go with the aforementioned Chryslers or a 1951-54 Packard w/ stick & OD, or one of the Jag-ue-were Mark saloons. The latter's Borg Warner automatics aren't as readily rebuildable or troublefree as a Torqueflite or HydraMatic, but less grief than a Twin Ultramtic. Those formal Jags have their issues, but aren't quite the money pits as a Packard V-8 with Twin Ultramatic.

Packard could've avoided much Torsion-Level trouble simply by fitting a better tin cover over the control unit, but the Company's desperate plight on crowded Conner Avenue has been told many times before.

Be prepared, too, to embark on various other electro-mechanical upgrades as described in Packard Club articles, etc. over the decades. But perhaps, like my 1936-37 Cord friends, you thrive on challenges.

However, if there's something that just sings to you in a bent eight Patrician, you'll do what you do. We're all driven by
these siren songs. Just remember, even if they pay you to haul this particular car away, assuming you can find a
LOCAL Twin Ultramatic maven, you'll always be upside down in this car, not that most of us care about return on investment and all that yuppie Sports Car Market crap. Go slow,
but then, your name is DANGERMiller!

Retired medico here.....You can get what is called Haunte virus which is a negative sense RNA virus. It's found in mouse droppings. It can make you very sick and has proven fatal for some. Warm dry climates are the usual host and the virus is spread by dusting, vacuuming and exposure to the area infected. Checking with the local medico's will help to evaluate the potential for infection.

The Haunte virus has hit here in the recent past and has killed some people here in Colorado. I for one consider it a serious threat. Just wanted to say be careful

packardguy53 and bhappy,

Thanks for the follow-up. It is a serious matter. You can ignore it, but it will not ignore you. As they used to say on Hill Street Blues: "Be careful out there."

(o[]o)

Call me old fashioned, but based on your description, I'd run like hell from this one....I agree that wine, women and roses are all a matter of personal taste, but at some point, you look bit bizarre if your choices reflect basic masochism. Aside from location and urge, there's nothing special about this particular car that would allow you to overlook reality and the looming nightmare project it has to be?

I agree that you buy the best available, even if it means travelling a bit further or spending a bit more. In the long run, it;s a far more satisfying experience. In your case, "Let the ride decide" isn't nearly as relevant as 'Quality will be remembered long after price is forgotten'.

+ 1

"Ask the man who owns one"

Agree with buy the best one you can find.

I cleaned out the Rodent infested interior in my car while wearing a respirator.