Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

I am really interested in the Jamaican Yellow and black Packard 400 that is Currently on E-bay..Never Owned a Packard But always wanted one..What is the general opinion of the Price and the condition..E-bay 130498173261

Thanks!

I know the seller of this vehicle and believe him to be a very honest forthright individual. I have had several dealings with him and he does know V8 Packards very well.
You will need the emerg. brake handle which he may have and he may also have the proper air cleaner. You need to ask him.
I think the price is fair for a car that does not have rust issues. If you buy it, I would drop the pan and check out the bearings, main and rods before trying to fire it up.
Good luck and come back and tell us if you purchased it. As you can tell I like 56 Packards. And to an excellent Packard forum. You will find a lot of help here.

Judging by the condition of the car, I agree it will almost certainly run. The straight rust-free body is worth the price of admission itself--I have just run through much more than that on a very rusty hardtop to weld in an acre of sheet metal.

Two caveats: the transmission in the trunk does not bode well, and as Randy mentioned the air filter is wrong. Leaves me to wonder if the engine is original to the car.

When you have the car sorted out they are tremendous fun to drive; very fast and capable and can be cornered (with radials) at speeds that would leave a Buick or Caddy in a ditch.

And it COMES with a second ultramatic!

If you can afford it, have the second rebuilt on standby (if they're both an equal unit). If you have issues with the old one in there, easy swap. If not, a professionally rebuild ultramatic would fetch half or more the price of the car right now.

Strikes me as odd that the auction is BIN instead of Bid. Seller indicates that the previous BUYER backed out of what would be construed as a previous eBay auction for the car.

Car CONDITION appears to be a desireable find for ez resortation to at least excellent driver status if not better. I would think that hte seller would be compelled to take a couple of days to get it running just good enuf to test drive around the block or around the yard or maybe to the end of the driveway 20 - 30 mph. Would sure make it sell faster and better, ata higher price especialy since it's a hard top.

Interesting to see what happens.

I would think that hte seller would be compelled to take a couple of days to get it running just good enuf to test drive

Agreed, that's always baffled me as well. Like the guy who wants $150,000 for his Dietrich, but is too lazy to wash it before he takes the pictures. Or "runs great, can't start because it needs a battery". So, go buy a battery, ask $100 more for the car, and be prepared to demonstrate that it runs great.

OK.....Is there a way to id the Motor? what numbers do I look for if it is a 374?

Thanks!

Look to the right of the oil filler tube on the flat area and the number there should be 5687 2607 and should match the number on the plate on the drivers side door post.
Note the trans in the trunk is a spare 1955 trans.

Thanks!

1956 374's should have a number located exactly where RB indicates and should start out as 56XX where XX > 79. If the XX < 80 then it is a 352. If it starts out with a 55xx instead of 56 then it is a 1955 motor and a 352 or 320.

Edit: if it is a factory replacement engine then just about anything or nothing mite be stamped there.