Vehicle Description
West Coast Classics are proud to present an absolutely exceptional
and superb daily driving and completely rust free and mostly all
original example of this 1956 Packard 400 2 Door Hardtop with the
'Senior' 374 CID (same engine as the Caribbean) 9 main bearing
straight 8 cylinder engine with a 'Carter' 4 BBL carburetor and the
'Ultramatic Drive' automatic transmission and a car which has
reportedly only had two California owners since new, with most
recent owner for over 30 years being a renown collector and long
time member of both Packard's 'International amp; The Packard Club'
and with reportedly 40K original miles from new, in original
exclusive Packard series two-tone colors and with its all original
'Black amp; White' vinyl amp; cloth (Trim code 85) interior and
trim and loaded with factory options including:Air
ConditioningHeater amp; Defroster ($80)AM Radio with Power Antenna
($102)Signal Seeking Radio ($125)Solex Tinted Glass ($45)4-Way
Power Seat ($70)Power Windows ($108)Power Steering ($115)Power
BrakesRear Fender SkirtsWhite sidewall tiresFull Wheel CoversDeep
pile carpetingElectric clockStainless full length bodyside
moldingsFront amp; Rear window surround moldingsHood ornamentRocker
Panel Moldings,This car is truly exceptional in every sense of the
word, and as previously stated owned for over 30 years by a
California Packard enthusiast amp; experienced amp; informed Club
member and a car with only some gentle 40K miles since new.
Starting with a beautiful and razor straight 'Briggs' matching
body; #1 of only 3,224 built in 1956, and what must be the finest
looking and the most mechanically sound example available. The
result is that the new owner will have nothing short of one of the
finest driving Senior Packard's possible with a beautiful and
highly striking against the chrome classic and two-tone color paint
and with a gorgeous all original interior! Reportedly never seen
rain and quite obviously always garaged. In summary this is a truly
unique and superb example of a 1956 Packard 400 2 Door Hardtop,
beautifully preserved with the finest attention to detail. The 1956
'Senior' Packard 2 Door 400 374 V8 Hardtop was one of the highest
priced cars of its day - and with good reason - under the hood was
the larger 374 CID V8 engine which was introduced as standard
equipment on only the top-of-the-line 400, Patrician and Caribbean
models. Also keeping up with the trendsetters Packard introduced a
revised 'Ultramatic Drive' automatic transmission with a new
electronic pushbutton gear selection system. This electronic system
was some two model years ahead of the Edsel's highly publicized
electronic system introduced in 1958 and the other manufacturers of
the time such as Chrysler which utilized a mechanical pushbutton
gear selector. The all new appearance of the '56 interior
distinguished it as the most luxurious seen in postwar Packards
with these 'senior' Packards gaining a wide range of colors and
fabrics, created in vivid two-tone combinations and in a variety of
leathers, jacquards and fabrics. Packard was one of the original
and greatest of all the American marques, having been one of the
industry's pioneers and having built it's very first cars as early
as 1899, and which went on to build some of the world's finest cars
ever, surviving two world wars, numerous recessions and one great
depression until eventually, as any true enthusiast will attest,
and although no-one would know at the time, the last real Packards
were finally to be built in 1956, after which the car's were no
longer built in the legendary Detroit, MI plant and the now
'Studebaker-Packard' marque's decline had sadly begun. But until
1956 these cars had bristled with the latest in modern appointments
and had few rivals in the luxury market making owning one only for
the very privileged elite.The 374 CID V8 engine is extremely strong
and powerful and sounds absolutely magnificent and this particular
car drives absolutely magnificently - must be driven to be believed
- does not miss a beat and purrs like a kitten - a truly remarkable
daily driver that will give any modern day car a run for it's
money! The transmission shifts smoothly through the gears and the
car has four good radial white sidewall tires and its original
factory wheel covers!This is a rare opportunity to own a simply
stunning example of a beautiful and exceptionally well preserved
1956 Packard 400 2 Door Hardtop ready for the serious Packard
enthusiast or collector to enjoy and show today. Few more correct
or finer looking or indeed driving examples can possibly be
available anywhere else!