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What was the absolute last Packard model to roll off the assembly-line before Packard closed? Also, is there any record of what happened to it?

take care
Garrett Meadows

The Detroit assembly line, or South Bend? The last from Detroit is known and as I recall the event was recorded in factory photographs.

The absolute last Detroit-built Packard was a '56 Patrician 4 door, VIN 5682=4xxx. (I don't have the last 3 digits of the VIN at hand.) To the best of my knowledge, the fate of this car remains unknown.

The last Studebaker-built "Packards" were a pair of special-order pickup trucks with Packard badges attached that went to South America, Argentina if my memory is correct.

Because I'm very ignorant of all things Packard, I didn't realize there were two manufacturing plants. However, it is nice to know that at least the Detroit Packard is extant.

take care
Garrett Meadows

Packard in Detroit closed on 26 June, 1956. It was a bitter end to a proud marque. Had Packard been able to launch the '57s they had planned, those cars would have been the most advanced production cars of their day. Features that didn't become common until the mid-'60s and even into the '70s would have been standard on these Packards - fuel injection being one.

For 1957 and 1958, there were "Packards" built on the Studebaker President chassis and body shell at the Studebaker plant in South Bend, Indiana.

I've been trying to upload a photo of the "Packard" truck, but I'm having trouble doing it.

Dont worry Garrett, I still learn everyday.

As to the "Two" assembly lines, Packard after moving from Ohio, was Built in Detroit until 1956. My 56 is a Patrician 5682-4508, it was close to the end of the run.

The last two production years were 57-58 which were moved from Detroit and Produced in South Bend,Indiana at the Studebaker plant after the Packard/Studebaker merger. These were what you will hear people refer to as PackardBakers, etc.

Their are many others on here that has in depth details, you found a great site to ask and learn.

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Great info. I really enjoy this forum because contributors--at least in my limited experience--are civil and helpful. They don't beat up on a person for asking "the obvious." A bad habit I have yet to break myself of is asking a question before taking the time to find the answer. More times than not, had I not been so quick to ask the question and only looked about for a moment, I would have found the answer. Still, I enjoy interacting forum members.

take care
Garrett Meadows

That truck looked like a real work-horse.

The last Packard Detroit car was a Patrician, VN #5682-4775. It apparently has not survived.