Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

Hello everyone, I am interested in trading my 1957 Chevy truck for a 1955 Packard 400 2door hard top. My truck is not restored but is very mechanically sound and could be a daily driver. My truck is all stock 4 on the floor. The 55 Packard I checked out today runs but the following does not work..turn signals, most all gauges, the tranny doesn't stay in park and who knows what else. This car is so bad ass though. I love the car he is asking 12,500 but will trade for me truck. What do you think? I attached pics of the truck and car. Thanks

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Truck = Easy & cheap to fix.
Packard? Not so much.

G'day Packardfan,
to PackardInfo, but sorry I can't offer anything concerning your potential trade for a Packard.

However, I will say, if you get a Packard please include it in the Packard Vehicle Registry.

One thing that any Chebby will never have is the Whazzat? Factor.

The Pack looks pretty clean. When they are mechanically right, they are VERY fun to drive and can effortlessly maintain highway speeds.

Getting that model right can take some skill and patience because of the auto leveling suspension, the somewhat fragile automatic, and occasional oil pressure problems.

Does it level itself?

With the indicator in the mark just to the right of the D do feel 2 shifts?

During your test drive do any lifters start tapping?

Let us know what you find.

Do you mind linking the original CL post?

When you say "doesn't stay in park" do you mean the lever itself falls down, or the car rolls in park (parking pawl is broken)?

As Ross said, you should test the leveling. Have the seller check that the torsion-level switch is on, then open the trunk and sit in it (or otherwise add 100 or so pounds to the back of the car). After some time (under a minute IIRC) the car should raise its rear to level out. When you remove the weight, after some time the reverse should occur. Note that the car doesn't need to be running to do this, or even have the key turned on.

It looks in pretty good shape overall.
Some things I notice:
- Front seat looks pretty sun-damaged like it was parked outside for a while. The 1955-56 years had some pretty bad watertightness problems in places, so check that the rubber seems good around the doors and rear window. The door panels look a bit water-damaged in the front but that's actually pretty normal for these years unless they were garage-kept their whole life.
- You're in Cali so this may not matter but it looks like that car is probably not equipped with a heater as I don't see a heater core in the engine bay. However, there may be one under the front seat; just peek down and check.
- To me 12.5k seems a bit high. However, if you're trading for your truck that obviously doesn't matter and prices for 50's Packards are all over the place now anyway.

BTW Ross, what do you mean by "With the indicator in the mark just to the right of the D do feel 2 shifts?" ?

How much for the truck outright, cash? I have a friend looking...where are you?

Quote:

Hey there the car will roll in park but the shifter will stay in position. How expensive is it to change that pawl out?


Another thing that I forgot to mention is the Brakes are SUPER touchy. It takes very little to lock them up.


I will check the leveling system today or next weekend if he still has it. I alteady know he only wants to trade because he knows he will be able to sell the truck faster than the car.Thanks for all the help everyone! Below is the origional craigslist post...

https://sandiego.craigslist.org/esd/cto/d/el-cajon-1955-packard-400-two-door/7476259593.html


Here is another one that needs more work for less...

https://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/cto/d/vista-rare-classic-1955-packard-400/7477593399.html

Quote:

Good morning, I was going to start at 13k. That's why I was thinking trade was close enough. I am in San Diego.

Broken parking pawls seem to be a very common problem on that transmission. It's like that on my car too. I don't know why... whether they just break easily, or somehow wear out over time. As you have seen they have very good brakes (aside from being susceptible to brake fade) so as long as the parking brake works properly it will never actually be a problem.

The red one seems pretty good for the money assuming they're in comparable mechanical condition. For most of the car, attaching trim is not hard. Just make sure it has the hubcaps.