Vehicle Description
1956 Packard 400 Coupe
The Packard 400 was an automobile built by the Studebaker-Packard
Corp. of South Bend, Indiana during model years 1955 and 1956.
During its two years in production, the 400 was built in Packard's
Detroit facilities, and considered part of Packard's senior model
range. The 400 model name was dropped from the Patrician model
range at the beginning of the 1953 model range, however the
Patrician name continued to occupy the premium trim level Packard
from 1953 through 1956. For 1955 the 400 name was re-employed by
Packard and assigned to the automaker's senior model range two-door
hardtop. Production totals for 1955 came to 7,206 units for the
Packard Four Hundred, and 3,224 units for 1956.
Gracing our hallowed halls here at the Classic Auto Mall is one of
the last REAL Packards and a rare one to boot. Jamaican Yellow and
Dover White, push button automatic, and a beautiful yellow and
black interior this Packard has it all...Just Ask The Man Who Owns
One! Sold new in Pennsylvania circa February 1956 and changing
hands in 1970 to another PA family the car finally made its way
North of the border. Over the next 30 years the car changed hands a
few times and finally the restoration was finished by a member of
the Niagra Packard Club who also was involved in the Toronto movie
scene during the filming of Hairspray, the 2007 version. The car
made a cameo in the movie, so add some film stardom into the rarity
mix. We present to you a 1956 Packard 400 Coupe.
Exterior
Wearing its original paint scheme, Jamaican Yellow fills out the
center of this slab sided steel piece of art and is flanked both
above and below by Dover White filling out the roof, lower sections
of the doors and lower quarter panels. These mellow colors are
separated below by a large ribbed stainless steel panel that runs
the length of the car and contain a gold emblem on the fenders
written in your grandmother's script and above by the tinted
greenhouse of the passenger's compartment. Hovering outboard of the
large Jamaican Yellow hood are the bat mobile-esque headlights that
float above a large grid pattern eggcrate grill and massive chrome
grill that sports dagmars that were so popular of the era. On back,
dual cathedral styled taillights form the back of the rear
quarters, and float above a rear bumper which creates an insert for
these taillights, and also a frame for the round tailpipes. The
bumper is a bit faded and shows signs of aging with minimal surface
rust down low. Overall, the paint presents as expected for an older
restoration and shows quite well with only minor chips, scratches
and blemishes. Wide whitewall tires adorn all 4 corners and have
Packard wheel covers. A shout out to the trunk, which shows in
Jamaican Yellow and is rust free. The Consignor states that the
sale will include a Packard jack, tire iron, fender skirt tool and
(replica) storage box. Further, custom trunk material was made for
the car and is also included.
Interior
Swinging open the massive door we are greeted with more ribbed
stainless-steel panels at the bottom of the door followed by a
pleasant mix of yellow and black vinyl and some black pattern
infused broadcloth. A black arm rest floats in the center of the
door as does a chrome window crank and door handle. Rounding out
the door, on top is a highly polished stainless-steel topper that
is mirror like in appearance. Sprawling twin bench seats (split in
the front for entrance to the rear) run side to side in more yellow
vinyl, white vinyl, and black patterned broadcloth. Both sets of
seats present in excellent condition and give a ton of eye as well
at posterior appeal. The original dash is present, which is also
two tone utilizing a gold metal mesh punched panel, and surrounding
gloss black. We note a padded dash, a safety feature that was just
starting to become the new norm. All the instruments are in chromed
bezels within the gold mesh and this is fronted by an original two
tone white and black steering wheel made of bakelite atop the
steering column and a push button stalk mounted on the right.
Gauges and knobs are bright and shiny retaining their original
design from the factory including the radio insert. Above is a
beautifully preserved headliner nice, tight, and white with chrome
ribs to snaz it up. Carpets are black and are almost new with only
minor soiling on the drivers rubber insert pad.
Drivetrain
A 374ci V8 producing 290hp is topped with a single 4-barrel
Rochester carburetor mounted securely under a batwing style air
cleaner assembly. Chrome Packard valve covers are seen along with
power steering. A 2-speed Twin Ultramatic automatic transmission
sends power back to a rear axle with a 3.54 ratio. This entire set
up will keep you cruising down the highway with ease.
Undercarriage
Only surface rust is showing on the frame, x-frame, suspension
components, and floor pans. No invasive rust is to be seen
anywhere. A newer dual exhaust system is noted that has stock style
mufflers and tailpipes that exit thru the rear bumper. Power drum
brakes are noted all around. Now for something totally out of the
ordinary...Packard did away with coil springs on all four corners
and installed a torsion-level ride system at all 4 corners. Taken
right from the Packard information packet: Full-length torsion
bars, at each side of the chassis, connect front and rear wheels
making them work as a team to smother bumps and road shocks. At
center of the chassis is a power controlled Levelizer which
automatically maintains the car at ideal ride level, regardless of
passenger or luggage load.
Drive-Ability
The car started with a few pumps of the gas pedal and handled our
test track with ease. Braking was sufficient and bias-free.
Acceleration was more than adequate, and the torsion-level ride
system provided a comfortable ride. My esteemed colleague and I
took turns driving the 400 and enjoyed every second of it. All
functions were operating properly at the time of our test
drive.
This car has had the majority of its recent service done by a
Packard specialist in Maryland where is had the Ultramatic
transmission adjusted, brakes repaired, the power leveling system
repaired and the fuel gauge made operational. The carburetor was
rebuilt by a specialist in Taneytown, MD and we can attest to the
performance. The consignor has a multitude of extra parts included
with the sale including but not limited to: an owner's manual,
service manual, parts manual, service circulars, a restored push
button motor, restored leveling switches, a restored pair of front
side trim pieces, and a pair of repaired front grilled pieces just
to name a few. This rare piece of the final REAL PACKARDS can be
all yours along with some great history just by stopping into the
Classic Auto Mall.
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.