Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

Quote:

A little first-hand experience:

A new '55 Clipper Custom with Ultramatic. Transmission always worked, but eventually lost the lock-up torque converter. Still motored fine. Body: left rear door never worked. Stuck closed. Didn't bother to fix it due to the fact I was a little kid and sat next to this "child-protection" device. Windshield rattled in the frame almost immediately. Packard service rep told my dad; "waddaya expect with a big heavy windshield like that?" Now that's customer service.

Used '55 400: Rear windows wouldn't roll down... fixed one, left the other one alone. Took two hands to crank it up or down. Car also had a bad exhaust smell in the back seat. Heard this was a problem with bumper exhaust outlets, but never proven. Just one of those things. Transmission blew a seal, was repaired and never gave trouble again.

Oh yeah, the Clipper also had a habit of sitting with it's tail way up in the air when the T-L system was on the fritz. Manual override switch installed, and never used the automatic leveling after that.

That's about it. Really not so bad. Some glitches to watch out for.

PS: Door problems were very, very common, according to reports. Adjustments were often needed at the dealer level, but nothing terminal, unless you wanted to keep a kid inside!