Vehicle Description
1955 Packard Patrician Sedan
Though far from completely new, the 1955 Packard Patrician/Four
Hundred/Executive received probably the most revolutionary
face-lift of the 1950s. It represented a significant departure from
previous practices, not only in styling, but in engineering as
well. Those who condemn James Nance as a wrecker of the company are
obliged to tell us what the old management he replaced would have
delivered by 1955: As one Packard writer put it, there would
probably have been nothing left but a $2,300 Clipper sedan, powered
by the only straight-eight engine left in the world. The new cars
were committee-engineered - but what a committee: Bill Graves,
chief engineer, headed the V-8 project, staffed by J.R. Ferguson,
Bill Schwieder, and E.A. Weiss; Forest MacFarland and Herb Misch
developed the new Twin Ultramatic transmission; and Bill Allison
created the "Torsion Level" suspension. It was on this last feature
that Packard hung its 1955 advertising slogan, "Let the Ride
Decide". Torsion bars had been tried before, but never had they
been mounted longitudinally, without anchor points, working on all
four wheels. They provided a remarkable combination of ride and
handling, scaling even car-breaking railroad crossings with
aplomb.
The headlines of the day screamed, "The New Packard With
Sensational Torsion Level Ride", a car ahead of its time that isnot
often seen today. Here for consignment, we have a barn find Packard
Patrician sedan in very rough shape with a 2 tone paint job, plenty
of trim chrome delineating the tones of paint and an equal amount,
if not more, of invasive rust. She's gonna need some serious
cosmetic and structural work on the body, undercarriage and the
interior to get her up to snuff and after my thorough inspection I
myself would classify this car into the "parts car" category, but
your opinion may say different.
NO TITLE-SOLD ON A BILL OF SALE ONLY
Exterior
On the bow we see arched bezeled headlights that utilize the
surrounding metal of the front quarters to make their "bat mobile"
forms. Just below is a wide chrome trim piece which frames the
bottom of the hood, and the top of a vertical and horizontal ribbed
grille, then trim continues around to the front quarters and
eventually swoops across the front doors before ending at the
jet-like chrome faux air intakes on the rear doors. This trimming
separates the Topaz and Agate body colors and has missing sections
throughout the body sides. A big bumper frames the bottom the bow
and dual Dagmars stick out on either side all presenting with heavy
rust, staining, corrosion and delamination. More trim for the
rockers that continues around the rear wheel well and to the rear
bumper with the driver's side trim completely missing in action.
Another delineation of the two-tone coloring and around the
passenger compartment allows for the roof paint to stand out.
Bringing up the stern are two rear finned quarter mounted big red
tail lights, also trimmed in chrome, a badged trunk lid, and a
two-tier rear bumper with dual exhaust tips peeking through the
circular cut outs. Overall the paint is terrible with heavy surface
rust and invasive rust seen on every panel and we note a severe sag
to the rear end of the car and a shattered wrap-around
windshield.
Interior
What was once a luxurious light tan and brown doeskin interior has
seen the ravages of time. The doors are rough with chipping paint,
broadcloth that is torn, and invasive rust on the door bottoms. The
dash is original with a mesh chromed metal dash front that dances
with the brown doeskin paint and surprisingly intact padded topper.
Gauges are all original as are controls and radio, and steering
wheel. The remnants of 50's style pattern plaid broadcloth and
vinyl covers the front bench and rear bench. Big metal tubs hold
the front bench in place and what is left of the carpet is poor.
Severe invasive rust has claimed the flooring, particularly on the
drivers side which allows a nice view of the unibody and our studio
flooring. The headliner has been removed as have the support bows,
exposing a surface rusted roof underside.
Drivetrain
A 352ci V8 with a single 4-barrel carburetor atop and Twin
Ultra-Matic 2-speed automatic is on back. 3.90 gearing is the ratio
for the rear axle and the much sought after "bat wing" air cleaner
assembly is present and accounted for, albeit rusted and
dinged.
Undercarriage
Plenty of surface rust throughout, and invasive rust on the
rockers, flooring, trunk floors and body hangers. This would
explain the invasive rust seen on the thresholds above. The X frame
remains strong as do the some sections of the floor pans
underneath, and torsion bar in front and torsion level suspension
can be seen. Also noted are power drum brakes all around.
A barn find if you will, but in this writer's opinion probably
better suited to donate parts to help another Packard live on. A
host of salvageable parts, classic Packard styling, and gobs of
stainless and chrome give this once proud boulevard cruiser the
right look, just don't let your wife know what's under the tarp in
your garage.
NO TITLE-SOLD ON A BILL OF SALE ONLY
55824901
55-1955
82-Patrician Touring Sedan
4901-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 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.
