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Considering a 1956 400
#1
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FirstEliminator
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Yes, considering a 1956 400.....well, more accurately put, I'd love a 1956 400!
Looking back through the CL Ads and listings on this site it seems '56 400's come up occasionally. There is one on ebay, that I believe has been there a while. I heard it may have been discussed in the CL thread, however, I couldn't find it. This car is two-tone green, doesn't run and is located in Los Angeles. Looking at the pics, I don't see any rust. There is some body damage, interior pieces taken off and components not attached on the engine. The price seems a little high for a project. Then some added struggle is my location is in the opposite corner of the country. But........I love the color combination. It appears pretty solid. Mechanical stuff isn't a big deal and much preferred over rust repair.....actually, anything but rust. I did see a two tone green 56 in the CL thread that was in the Gulfport area, but the CL ad was long expired. Are there many Norwegian Green with Shannon Green left out there?

Anyone familiar with this car? Or thoughts on this one?

link: 1956 Packard 400

and pic:
Click to see original Image in a new window


thanks,
Mark

Posted on: 2/18 1:21
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Re: Considering a 1956 400
#2
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R H
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Not the right carburetor.
Should be a rochester .

Posted on: 2/18 3:55
Riki
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Re: Considering a 1956 400
#3
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Pgh Ultramatic
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Looks like a nice ride, but I'm not sure what happened to this car since there are BIG dents in it, on the driver rear quarter AND trunk, as well as a sideswipe all down the passenger side.

These are repairable (or ignorable), but 11k is way off the mark considering them. The one that had the roof get crushed sold for $2300 (obviously worse condition), but for what they are asking you can find one like Kevin just bought for about the same amount. His has some minor issues, but the major stuff is all there, plus a new interior.

The V8's are very nice, it matters little which you get as long as it's a T-L model, they are pretty much all the same cost/difficulty of ownership and the same experience.

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Posted on: 2/18 8:22
1955 400 | Registry | Project Blog
1955 Clipper Deluxe | Registry | Project Blog
1955 Clipper Super Panama | Registry
Email (Parts/service inquiries only, please. Post all questions on the forum.)
service@ultramatic.info
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Re: Considering a 1956 400
#4
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FirstEliminator
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I was aware of the passenger side and trunk body damage. Not sure if I noticed the driver's side dent. What is T-L?

thanks,
Mark

Posted on: 2/18 8:48
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Re: Considering a 1956 400
#5
Webmaster
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BigKev
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Torsion-Level

Posted on: 2/18 8:48
-BigKev


1954 Packard Clipper Deluxe Touring Sedan -> Registry | Project Blog

1937 Packard 115-C Convertible Coupe -> Registry | Project Blog
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Re: Considering a 1956 400
#6
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FirstEliminator
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I'm still new to Packard, I thought I read all the 56 senior were Torsion Level?

Being the place that listed it is a used car sales lot, I wonder if there was any history on the car in the Packard world from a previous owner. The ad has the vin listed as 17980, which doesn't look like a Packard number. Perhaps it is their stock number.
Knowing it isn't running I can deal with. To find a ton of other problems would be depressing after overpaying for a non-running car and spending another 3 grand to ship it home.

Posted on: 2/18 9:11
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Re: Considering a 1956 400
#7
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Pgh Ultramatic
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All 55-56 Senior, and virtually all 56 Clipper & 55 Clipper Custom, were TL. For 55, the Deluxe didn't have it, and around half of the Super's didn't.

That car better be in tip top shape aside from the body damage, otherwise you are drastically overpaying. You are in Massachusetts. I can easily find you a much more attractive car around here. (I am in Pittsburgh.)

What do you think of this one? I can check if it's still for sale. Best part, the total cost would be about the same. It's in Pittsburgh. It's not mine, just owned by an acquaintance.

packardinfo.com/xoops/html/modules/registry/index.php?Action=view&ID=3776

Posted on: 2/18 9:27
1955 400 | Registry | Project Blog
1955 Clipper Deluxe | Registry | Project Blog
1955 Clipper Super Panama | Registry
Email (Parts/service inquiries only, please. Post all questions on the forum.)
service@ultramatic.info
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Re: Considering a 1956 400
#8
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BigKev
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Bodywork (paint) and upholstery are the two most expensive items on these cars to sort correctly, each being 10-15k. So, for whichever car you get, make sure the price reflects the condition.

Posted on: 2/18 9:42
-BigKev


1954 Packard Clipper Deluxe Touring Sedan -> Registry | Project Blog

1937 Packard 115-C Convertible Coupe -> Registry | Project Blog
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Re: Considering a 1956 400
#9
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kevinpackard
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On the '56 most of the interior has been redone, minus the door cards which were started but never finished. So that expense has mostly been dealt with. The engine appears to have been pulled based on the fact that the entire thing has been repainted, including the full oil pan. The body damage would be tough/expensive to fix because you would have to repaint at least the rear of the car. Fixing the bent stainless would be a chore as well.

The '55 that PGH posted is an excellent car, but I know Mark isn't a fan of the Sardonyx color. Personally I like the look of the '56's over the '55's, but essentially they are the same car underneath.

Posted on: 2/18 10:54
Kevin

1954 Clipper Super Panama | Registry | Project Blog
1938 Super 8 1605 | Registry | Project Blog
1953 Clipper Deluxe Club Sedan | Registry | Project Blog
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Re: Considering a 1956 400
#10
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Pgh Ultramatic
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I also know of a real sharp 56 Deluxe in the same area. Unsure on price.

Attach file:



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Posted on: 2/18 11:16
1955 400 | Registry | Project Blog
1955 Clipper Deluxe | Registry | Project Blog
1955 Clipper Super Panama | Registry
Email (Parts/service inquiries only, please. Post all questions on the forum.)
service@ultramatic.info
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