Just a few details: the 1956 hood casting was identical in the Clipper AND senior lines excepting the Caribbean which had simulated twin hood scoops. The "ship's wheel" is referred to as a "helm wheel." The Clipper name was carried forward in 1957 as well (on the Studebaker-based Clipper). You do not have "hubcaps" but rather wheelcovers. The hood ornament, I believe, was designed to represent a spinning meteor or planet with a trail following its perceived movement. Otherwise, I would rate your documentary as one of the very best offered on the Packard Clippers of 1956. The mix of original material with your tour is outstanding and professional. A big thank you goes to your celebrating an often-overlooked car that perhaps was the best of ANY car in the mid-price class of its time. This Clipper is a magnificent example of the breed.
@@budgetoutlaws9978 And you did! I also meant to mention the excellence and clarity of the photography. I wrote a book on the 1955-56's: "Packard and Clipper, 1955-56: Confessions of a Collector." It is available on amazon. Happy motoring at the "helm" of this great "Lady they call Clipper."
Did some Packards have a medallion of the Packard Family Coat of Arms on the back of the car? Also a type of large bird I think was in the Coat of Arms and some of the cars had a model of that bird as the large hood ornament?
My Grandfather owned a PACKARD Dealership in Detroit. I was completely enamored of the "New" Packard in 1955, and fascinated with the "Torsion level Ride !" I preferred the senior models: Patrician, 400 ( Hard Top) and Caribbeian convertible & coupe ('56 only) note: those fabulous taillights first appeared on '56 Clippers & the New Executive model and were also on the '57 Studebaker based clippers. One styling pointe that I believe made a significant difference btw '55 & '56 models was the trunk lid which had a "hump" in '55 and was flatened or eliminated in '56... much improved I thought.
My Grandfather owned a PACKARD Dealership in Detroit. I was completely enamored with the "New" restyled models in 1955 and fascinated with "Torsion Level Ride" I preferred the senior models: Patrician sedan, 400 HT, and Caribbeian convertible & HT ('56 only) Those taillights he loves first appeared on '56 Clippers & the new Executive series that year and were also used on the '57 Studebaker based Clippers. One styling feature of note: the trunk or deck lid on '55 models had a " hump" which was eliminated or flattened in '56 models ( all series')
I want to imagine myself back in 1956, driving my family to Miami, taking a Havana Ferry, then arriving at my winter home in one of the numerous middle class - upper middle class sub divisions - gated communities that dotted the island.
My Granddad bought one new, was told it was a 57. Had supercharger and thought it was a 289 cl, My Dad ended up with it in 64. He had the supercharger removed for some reason, car had many brake problems. He finally sold it in 67. The guy that bought it was from Florida, paid $ 350. Well, he sold the engine for a guy to put in his speed boat. The body was stolen and believed to have been shipped to Cuba. I remember road trips to Niagra Falls, Gettysburg and lots of local day trips to the Pa. Grand Canyon, Pine Creek Gorge. Nice car.
My dad bought my mom a 1954 Clipper Deluxe in 1964. It was two tone blue. He loved driving it on weekends and delighted in showing me how he could turn the steering wheel with one finger. It was an automatic but I seem to remember the car having an extra pedal that was dark red. What did that do?
My folks had a 56 executive which they bought when it first came out in April 1956. It was everything you said it was the only difference was that the executive- was the same car but with the packard front clip. Dad traded it on a 60 Chrysler imperial. It was a great car for road trips and handling was superb.I feel privileged that I had the opportunity to drive that car for two years before he traded.
it sure looks good on the road and coming up that hill in the sunlight, love the colors, Ive always loved the 55 and 56 Mercury and the Packards all appealed too
It's great to see a younger man fully appreciating this really fine and beautiful car. A true King of the road, I remember seeing one of these on the highway in an old ,"Highway Patrol" episode, which airs in my city at 5AM daily. Of course there was a 57 Clipper based on the Studebaker President, and Packard planned an all new, completely separate body from Packard for the 57 Clipper. Packard was also an Engineering King of the road. They seriously considered a V12 for the big Packard line, and probably would have built them in their future cars. Those taillights are arguably the most famous ever on any car. Copied, coveted, and admired, that boomerang look never fails to intrigue.
I'm a proud owner of a 56 black and white clipper deluxe that was built September of 55 and number 1139 of the line. Shipped to Winnebago motors in Rockford Illinois in October of 55. I rescued from a used car dealership near me and brought it back to driving status. Not restored by no means but a driver. I love it when younger people ask me what it is and I tell them it's a Packard. Just a puzzled look. The older generation remember them and always strike up a conversation.
Just a really beautiful car. We own a 56 Clipper Super 2 door hardtop that I am restoring back to factory as close as possible. Ours was built 3 weeks proir to the end of prior to the end of the Detroit Packard plant. Ours has the optional electric pushbutton transmission. Packard designed the 1st automatic transmission that actually locked the torque converter in high gear. Decades later all modern automakers did this to save fuel. The ride is fantastic with that suspension system. Not at all floaty like most of the luxury cars of that period. I would call it very controlled and refined ride, more like a very costly European luxury automobile. Handling is not bad considering the cars weight and limitations of bias ply tires. If radial tires are used the handling is pretty darn good. These cars were not designed to be sports cars. In 1956 in the US only Corvette and Ford Thunderbird would be considered sports cars. Their handling was far from wonderful in pure stock specs.
It was an attractive car. Very reminiscent to a 1955-1956 Mercury, but not quite as sleek. They just couldn't catch up to what was happening at the time. Considering the reputation Packard had for decades, it's really sad that they shuttered .
All cars from the 50s were designed to be incredible sights to behold . Chrome ,2 tone paint schemes, lower and wider every year. And every year, the newest models were vastly different than the year before. Yeah they were death traps, but they were wonderful!
This is a beautiful car. I'm envious. It is so classy and technologically advanced. But it is still a Packard. On the front grill, the top bar of chrome has the traditional Packard shape that goes way back and identifies it as a Packard. The chrome bars on the ceiling inside are supposed to make you think of a convertible top and its mechanics, as is the absence of the B pillar. Great car.
it is very important on such a comfort oriented car that when parts governing the comfort of the vehicule are replaced with very dynamically equivalent parts , I think to shocks absorbers, engine mounts, suspension resilient bushings, exhaust system and its supports and so on. these cars were of a very refined engineering and fabrication quality. nothing compares to that today with perhaps some exceptions as RollsRoyce, Maybach and few others. very good video.
Whenever a car fails in the marketplace, the old cliché' "It was ahead of it's time." Packard was dragged down by Studebaker. But James Nance and the Packard Board of Directors failed to examine Studebaker books until it was too late.
Thank you for sharing this! This model Packard is what started my love of 50s car when I was 8 years old. I remember spotting one sitting in someone’s yard back then . I was in awe of the chrome , the fins and that 50s green.
Clipper as of separate make instead of Packard Clipper as of 1955 and before, but it was a one year make for 1956. Clipper was formerly a low priced Packard.
Love Your Packard! You ought to know that John Z. DeLorean's first job out of college was with Packard Engineering where his first assignment was working on the Torsion Level Ride. I even seem to remember having read that he held at least one US patent for some element of that system. As a kid, I had one memorable experience with a '56 Constellation which belonged to a close friend of my family. Packard Blue with Cream top and side spear. Cheers! Dan in Bangor
Beautiful, almost looks like a California custom, very nice clean lines and not too much chrome. Thank you for keeping it totally stock. My dentist in 1973 was a member of the Packard Club and I remember him telling me.
Packard was a good looking luxury car. It really can't be compared to other cars of it's time that have been customized because this car has what every luxury car enthusiast appreciates, it needs no changes. Brings back a look of what life was like in the 1950's era.
My heart skips a beat whenever someone--like you-finds such an American classic!...I love the color combo...you never see two or three-tone cars nowadays, right?...That light Aqua color is just beautiful. I owned 50 years ago, a 1957 Lincoln Premiere...the car had only 32,000 miles on it--I paid $600 for it!...this was in 1970...I was a young guy who knew next to nothing about cars, and sold it about a year later, for the same price!...Your car had a similar styling to it, particularly the back of the car!...My Lincoln had a 368V8, making 300hp...but, like your car, it was not quick, just very smooth, and luxurious. I have owned over a dozen cars since, but that beauty of a car is one that I will forever miss!...I have not seen one on the road in at least 30 years.
One thing I was expecting to see in this Packard Clipper are push button automatic transmission selector that's extended on an arm on the right side of the steering column. I saw a Clipper at am auto show once and I was told by the owner that these buttons was electromechanical. The push button controls on the Chrysler cars and Dodge trucks is fully mechanical in contrast.
He is lucky that it doesn't have that %$#^ which I think was similar to part of what was in the Edsel and was one of the things that gave trouble to owners of that car (at least the first year version)
What a beautiful car just imagine if it had a set of big beautiful Michelins. It is not a race car it’s a cruiser made for the back roads before the Interstate Highway System. It takes 19 hours from Sarasota to Philadelphia on the Interstate, if you did the backroads like this car was designed for it would take about 3 days but you would see probably more cool stuff and meet some really cool people. Great Video Thank You 🙏
By listening to you I got the feeling YOU really like this car 😁 just kidding 😆 It IS simply beautiful and an amazing looking set of classy wheels . The color is gorgeous and,, chrome ?? MY MY 🙃 I have always like the PACKARDS never owned one but they were a beauty .
Please cherish and preserve this exceptional example. Let in-period quality and originality speak for itself. They're not making these gems anyymore! You're a lucky buyer to find this level of beauty. Now you have a duty. Cherish it 🥰
The most unique feature (besides full torsion bar suspension) was the transmission with LOCK UP torque converter. that began in 1948 and wasn't implemented in american cars until late 70s. Packard -provided 4 rear axle ratios , 287-1 being standard giving nice tall gears for highway driving.
IN 55-56 the Senior Series cars did have a sylized Cormorant on the hood as well (the '56 version was sleeker) and a cloisonne Packard coat-of-arms on the hood (on 56's) and an embossed painted metal version on the circle-and-vee on the grille (on 55's). The crest did feature the Cormorant which was an integral part of the Packard coat-of-arms.
Thanks for sharing. It’s one of the big mysteries to me why not a single car producers of today are using interconnected (front/rear) suspension. It gives such huge comfort benefits that it’s almost a no brained. I have never had the pleasure to travel in an interconnected Packard but the small interconnected Citroën’s and cars with Moultons Hydragas an Hydrolastic suspension always brings a smile to my face when traveling in these 😂
Luvin' your car, and your presentation. I'm looking for 1954 Pacific or Panama which will be my 3rd Packard and I'm still on the 9-main bearing str8 8 with 3-speed overdrive. The red hexagon in the center of the 'ship's wheel' had been a Packard emblem, on it's own, for decades and was rendered in red cloisonne.
I gradually became curious about these late Packards. There are still a few unrestored survivors around town. So they must have been made well. Thanks!
Wish Packard could have survived. My uncle drove Hudsons in the 50's till; he couldn't find them anymore. Two brands that should have remained in business.
The lockup function of Ultramatic was coolly unique as was the electronic selector in senior trims in ‘56. The transmission though let it down on acceleration. I had a couple of older I-8 327 cid and the one with manual plus overdrive was quite quick.
The only American car with 4-wheel torsion bar. Chrysler was front only, and no load lever. Oh, the trans: part of the development cost was for a lockup torque converter, almost 30 years ahead of Detroit - and they were MADE IN DETROIT! Slow ratio steering, but you could steer with a single finger, no power assist. 26-1/2 quart cooling system capacity - over 6.5 gallons! A few years back, a hot-rodded 374 Packard made for the Engine Masters series produced almost 450 (later 475) HP on the dyno. Impressive. Dad had a red/black '55 Clipper Custom Constellation, 2-door hardtop.
she's a beauty! the dash reminds me of a 1960 Chris Craft cabin cruiser my dad owned when I was a kid...that was also a sweet all American beauty. slow? not at all, I prefer to say leisurely, pleasant and not at all jarring as any luxury car owner with refined sensibilities would prefer. what's the big rush hot shot?
Thank you! A very educational presentation. It's amazing how many features - interior features, especially - of my 1956 Coupe de Ville were incorporated into the 1956 Clipper. I wonder who was spying on whom :)
There was a Russian made car called the "Chaika" which I think appeared some time after the loss of Packard cars being made in USA,not sure just when the Chaika appeared however,I think there are rumors that some of the Packard tooling and/or manufacturing equipment may have ended up in the Soviet Union? (Chaikas look very similar to the last two years of Packard models) Packards,Packard Clippers,and "Clippers" are all very similar except for slightly shorter wheelbase on the Clippers and somewhat different engine availability?
I think 1956 was a best year for American cars, such as Lincoln Continental, De Soto (Imperial, Chrysler 300), Chevrolet Belair, and Packard Clipper. Why do I say this? Due the landed design for each stuff, tail lights are nice ok, not too much vig or small, the frontal grille in 1956 is decent for all these brands, 1957 are an exageration of design, complicate and unnecesary curves and chrome parts. Mi humilde opinión. 😘 Greetings from 🇨🇱 Santiago Chile SouthAmerica
I’m looking at one. I may make an off on it. The gentleman that owns it started restoring it but has health issues. He has several packards someone hopefully will get them and restore them
At one time Packard was The "Rolls Royce" of American cars. More expensive than any but the most custom made cars. Like a Duesenberg. Fabulous cars. "Ask the man that ouns one" Mine is a 1951 "300". When I was born I came home from the hospital in my dads 1956 Clipper. But It was not as pretty as this one
I think up through about to 1950 Packard was very competitive with Cadillac and Packard seems to have made a lot of police cars (pretty powerful in their day) and funeral cars,limos and hearses
1956 was only the last year for the full size Packard. Studebaker- Packred went on to make smaller cars that they put the Packard nameplate on because they owned it, so 56 is technically not the last year for the Packred.
Great video. Thank you for sharing historical information on your beautiful Packard. I’m a Packard guy also. I have a 55 Packard Clipper Deluxe. Can you please provide any information regarding aftermarket A/C ? It really gets hot here in the South!!! Thank you!
The Packard "Clipper" name had been around for years before 1956. Maybe the 1940's? It was meant to be the entry-level , lower cost Packard. Only the Caribbean models had the hood scoops, and yes they were made of lead. It was a real chore opening these hoods. You didn't mention the most unique feature of the UltraMatic transmission, it has a lock-up torque converter, giving a true 1:1 drive ratio. About the only other automatics at this time which had a lock-up torque converter was the Borg-Warner 3-speed automatic and the Detroit Gear automatic, also a product of Borg-Warner. Torsion bar suspension was a great idea as Chrysler used it on their front suspensions for decades. Chevrolet used them on their early-60's pick-ups which had independent front suspensions. GM used them on it's first front wheel drive cars, the Olds Toronado and Cadillac ElDorado. There just wasn't room for conventional coil springs. You will also find torsion bars on some Class A motorhomes.
I recently bought a audi TT mrk 1 and would like to build a vw 1.8 engine, bored and stroked to 2.0. Can you help me out storting what parts to buy? I saw your video but I couldn't figure out what parts are most important for a 400 to 500hp build.
Jump on the Facebook group “1.8t 20v Tuning”. There are a lot of recent posts with builds and discussions on the stroker options, from TDI cranks, FSI cranks, 2.0 blocks, ect.
People today are unaware of how bad most paved roads were 60 years ago, compare to todays paved roads. In fact; there were probably more dirt and gravel roads than paved roads, which means the unpaved roads were incredibly rough! American cars if that era were designed to ride as smoothly and comfortably as possibly. They were never meant to be tossed around in turns, and were heavy for the same reason.
IN MY DAYS PACKARD WAS A BIT OF LAUGHINGSTOCK! HOWEVER THE STICK TRANSMISSION THEY HAD WAS NEARLY BULLETPROOF! I RAN ONE BEHIND AN J-2 OLDSMOBILE BUILT ENGINE IN AN 33 DODGE PICKUP STREET ROD! EVEN BETTER IT WAS A 3 SPEED WITH OVERDRIVE!
Just a few details: the 1956 hood casting was identical in the Clipper AND senior lines excepting the Caribbean which had simulated twin hood scoops. The "ship's wheel" is referred to as a "helm wheel." The Clipper name was carried forward in 1957 as well (on the Studebaker-based Clipper). You do not have "hubcaps" but rather wheelcovers. The hood ornament, I believe, was designed to represent a spinning meteor or planet with a trail following its perceived movement. Otherwise, I would rate your documentary as one of the very best offered on the Packard Clippers of 1956. The mix of original material with your tour is outstanding and professional. A big thank you goes to your celebrating an often-overlooked car that perhaps was the best of ANY car in the mid-price class of its time. This Clipper is a magnificent example of the breed.
Thank you for the clarifications! I wanted to try and do this beautiful car justice!
@@budgetoutlaws9978 And you did! I also meant to mention the excellence and clarity of the photography. I wrote a book on the 1955-56's: "Packard and Clipper, 1955-56: Confessions of a Collector." It is available on amazon. Happy motoring at the "helm" of this great "Lady they call Clipper."
Did some Packards have a medallion of the Packard Family Coat of Arms on the back of the car? Also a type of large bird I think was in the Coat of Arms and some of the cars had a model of that bird as the large hood ornament?
My Grandfather owned a PACKARD Dealership in Detroit. I was completely enamored of the "New" Packard in 1955, and fascinated with the "Torsion level Ride !" I preferred the senior models: Patrician, 400 ( Hard Top) and Caribbeian convertible & coupe ('56 only) note: those fabulous taillights first appeared on '56 Clippers & the New Executive model and were also on the '57 Studebaker based clippers. One styling pointe that I believe made a significant difference btw '55 & '56 models was the trunk lid which had a "hump" in '55 and was flatened or eliminated in '56... much improved I thought.
My Grandfather owned a PACKARD Dealership in Detroit. I was completely enamored with the "New" restyled models in 1955 and fascinated with "Torsion Level Ride" I preferred the senior models: Patrician sedan, 400 HT, and Caribbeian convertible & HT ('56 only) Those taillights he loves first appeared on '56 Clippers & the new Executive series that year and were also used on the '57 Studebaker based Clippers. One styling feature of note: the trunk or deck lid on '55 models had a " hump" which was eliminated or flattened in '56 models ( all series')
I want to imagine myself back in 1956, driving my family to Miami, taking a Havana Ferry, then arriving at my winter home in one of the numerous middle class - upper middle class sub divisions - gated communities that dotted the island.
That interior and dash is an absolute work of art.
Excellent narrative
I'm a Packard guy. I hope to own one someday. Beautiful car.
A really lovely car. I love that suspension.
My Granddad bought one new, was told it was a 57. Had supercharger and thought it was a 289 cl, My Dad ended up with it in 64. He had the supercharger removed for some reason, car had many brake problems. He finally sold it in 67. The guy that bought it was from Florida, paid $ 350. Well, he sold the engine for a guy to put in his speed boat. The body was stolen and believed to have been shipped to Cuba. I remember road trips to Niagra Falls, Gettysburg and lots of local day trips to the Pa. Grand Canyon, Pine Creek Gorge. Nice car.
Way better than any Tri Five. Seen those all the time. Not what you have… I love it. Thank you for posting.
I grew up wanting a tri five but there’s something about a stock car that really needs nothing and already has so much character from the factory.
@@budgetoutlaws9978 you might think about an Oldsmobile from that time period or even a "57 Rambler Rebel!
Its a beautiful design.
My dad had a 1954 Clipper Deluxe . He said for years after that it was the best car that he ever owned !
The final year of the Packard Straight 8
My dad bought my mom a 1954 Clipper Deluxe in 1964. It was two tone blue. He loved driving it on weekends and delighted in showing me how he could turn the steering wheel with one finger. It was an automatic but I seem to remember the car having an extra pedal that was dark red. What did that do?
Actually, I think it was a 1955 Clipper Super.
Thanks for sharing. Enjoy this great car.😂
Packard the greatest automobile ever
Had a 56 400 back in the 80's for a few years. Sold to a Packard collector from New York. Wonder if it's still around.
"Hey look ma, the cars got boobs!!, I mean Dagmar's!!" 😂😂😂 Hilarious
My folks had a 56 executive which they bought when it first came out in April 1956. It was everything you said it was the only difference was that the executive- was the same car but with the packard front clip. Dad traded it on a 60 Chrysler imperial. It was a great car for road trips and handling was superb.I feel privileged that I had the opportunity to drive that car for two years before he traded.
I LOVE IT TOO❤❤❤!!!! -from an old 3 '49 Packards owner.
The cars from the 1950's had curves and chrome for days .... art work on wheels !
What an absolutely GORGEOUS car! The suspensions on these cars always fascinated me. :)
it sure looks good on the road and coming up that hill in the sunlight, love the colors, Ive always loved the 55 and 56 Mercury and the Packards all appealed too
Love the thinking Packard applied to the V-8 & the suspension. Nice tour. thank you!!!
It's great to see a younger man fully appreciating this really fine and beautiful car. A true King of the road, I remember seeing one of these on the highway in an old ,"Highway Patrol" episode, which airs in my city at 5AM daily. Of course there was a 57 Clipper based on the Studebaker President, and Packard planned an all new, completely separate body from Packard for the 57 Clipper. Packard was also an Engineering King of the road. They seriously considered a V12 for the big Packard line, and probably would have built them in their future cars. Those taillights are arguably the most famous ever on any car. Copied, coveted, and admired, that boomerang look never fails to intrigue.
I'm a proud owner of a 56 black and white clipper deluxe that was built September of 55 and number 1139 of the line. Shipped to Winnebago motors in Rockford Illinois in October of 55. I rescued from a used car dealership near me and brought it back to driving status. Not restored by no means but a driver. I love it when younger people ask me what it is and I tell them it's a Packard. Just a puzzled look. The older generation remember them and always strike up a conversation.
Just a really beautiful car. We own a 56 Clipper Super 2 door hardtop that I am restoring back to factory as close as possible. Ours was built 3 weeks proir to the end of prior to the end of the Detroit Packard plant. Ours has the optional electric pushbutton transmission. Packard designed the 1st automatic transmission that actually locked the torque converter in high gear. Decades later all modern automakers did this to save fuel.
The ride is fantastic with that suspension system. Not at all floaty like most of the luxury cars of that period. I would call it very controlled and refined ride, more like a very costly European luxury automobile. Handling is not bad considering the cars weight and limitations of bias ply tires. If radial tires are used the handling is pretty darn good.
These cars were not designed to be sports cars. In 1956 in the US only Corvette and Ford Thunderbird would be considered sports cars. Their handling was far from wonderful in pure stock specs.
Great video! Love the car its a shame Packard didnt survive
I have a question for u,was the pushbutton ultramatic optional i have seen it on some 56s and not others
It was an attractive car. Very reminiscent to a 1955-1956 Mercury, but not quite as sleek. They just couldn't catch up to what was happening at the time. Considering the reputation Packard had for decades, it's really sad that they shuttered .
All cars from the 50s were designed to be incredible sights to behold . Chrome ,2 tone paint schemes, lower and wider every year. And every year, the newest models were vastly different than the year before. Yeah they were death traps, but they were wonderful!
This is a beautiful car. I'm envious. It is so classy and technologically advanced. But it is still a Packard. On the front grill, the top bar of chrome has the traditional Packard shape that goes way back and identifies it as a Packard. The chrome bars on the ceiling inside are supposed to make you think of a convertible top and its mechanics, as is the absence of the B pillar. Great car.
it is very important on such a comfort oriented car that when parts governing the comfort of the vehicule are replaced with very dynamically equivalent parts , I think to shocks absorbers, engine mounts, suspension resilient bushings, exhaust system and its supports and so on.
these cars were of a very refined engineering and fabrication quality.
nothing compares to that today with perhaps some exceptions as RollsRoyce, Maybach and few others.
very good video.
Whenever a car fails in the marketplace, the old cliché' "It was ahead of it's time." Packard was dragged down by Studebaker. But James Nance and the Packard Board of Directors failed to examine Studebaker books until it was too late.
"Ask the Man who Owns One"
Absolutely gorgeous clipper, not too crazy about the color, but so cool. Love the self leveling suspension, every car should have that.
Thank you for sharing this! This model Packard is what started my love of 50s car when I was 8 years old. I remember spotting one sitting in someone’s yard back then . I was in awe of the chrome , the fins and that 50s green.
Super impressive car, great suspension engineering, I did not know about.
R.I.P Packard Motor Car Company. I'm sad the Packard Car Company is no more.
I imagine that 2-speed trans accounts for the most of the car's slow acceleration.
Clipper as of separate make instead of Packard Clipper as of 1955 and before, but it was a one year make for 1956. Clipper was formerly a low priced Packard.
Mmm, Simply DeLuxe! 💋 Thank you for sharing your fine Clipper.
Love Your Packard!
You ought to know that John Z. DeLorean's first
job out of college was with Packard Engineering
where his first assignment was working on the
Torsion Level Ride.
I even seem to remember having read that he
held at least one US patent for some element
of that system.
As a kid, I had one memorable experience with
a '56 Constellation which belonged to a close
friend of my family.
Packard Blue with Cream top and side spear.
Cheers!
Dan in Bangor
Great info! Thanks for sharing!
Also the style guy who penned the square unibody Jeep Cherokee (XJ?) and the AMC Gremlin might have started out at Packard
Beautiful, almost looks like a California custom, very nice clean lines and not too much chrome. Thank you for keeping it totally stock. My dentist in 1973 was a member of the Packard Club and I remember him telling me.
Beautiful! I've got a '55 Four door, fully restored show car. Turns heads everywhere she goes.
Packard was a good looking luxury car. It really can't be compared to other cars of it's time that have been customized because this car has what every luxury car enthusiast appreciates, it needs no changes. Brings back a look of what life was like in the 1950's era.
Nice. I have a 56 Executive.
My heart skips a beat whenever someone--like you-finds such an American classic!...I love the color combo...you never see two or three-tone cars nowadays, right?...That light Aqua color is just beautiful. I owned 50 years ago, a 1957 Lincoln Premiere...the car had only 32,000 miles on it--I paid $600 for it!...this was in 1970...I was a young guy who knew next to nothing about cars, and sold it about a year later, for the same price!...Your car had a similar styling to it, particularly the back of the car!...My Lincoln had a 368V8, making 300hp...but, like your car, it was not quick, just very smooth, and luxurious. I have owned over a dozen cars since, but that beauty of a car is one that I will forever miss!...I have not seen one on the road in at least 30 years.
Wonderful story! It’s never to late to get another Lincoln! I love the headlights and taillights of that 57, gorgeous car!
One thing I was expecting to see in this Packard Clipper are push button automatic transmission selector that's extended on an arm on the right side of the steering column. I saw a Clipper at am auto show once and I was told by the owner that these buttons was electromechanical. The push button controls on the Chrysler cars and Dodge trucks is fully mechanical in contrast.
He is lucky that it doesn't have that %$#^ which I think was similar to part of what was in the Edsel and was one of the things that gave trouble to owners of that car (at least the first year version)
What a beautiful car just imagine if it had a set of big beautiful Michelins. It is not a race car it’s a cruiser made for the back roads before the Interstate Highway System. It takes 19 hours from Sarasota to Philadelphia on the Interstate, if you did the backroads like this car was designed for it would take about 3 days but you would see probably more cool stuff and meet some really cool people. Great Video Thank You 🙏
You did a great job with this beautiful car. I think you may have sold one , if I can find one. Yours is exquisite.
Id call this a success. I listened to your beautiful voice for over 25 minutes and didn't have to wear any pants. 😎🙌
Life goal *Check*
What an absolutely gorgeous car. Love the fantastic paint job. You're a very lucky guy owning such a cruiser.
Beautiful car!. Your love for the car is transmitted throw the hole video!
By listening to you I got the feeling YOU really like this car 😁 just kidding 😆 It IS simply beautiful and an amazing looking set of classy wheels . The color is gorgeous and,, chrome ?? MY MY 🙃 I have always like the PACKARDS never owned one but they were a beauty .
Beautiful ride looks like 100 thousand dollar range
Please cherish and preserve this exceptional example. Let in-period quality and originality speak for itself. They're not making these gems anyymore! You're a lucky buyer to find this level of beauty. Now you have a duty. Cherish it 🥰
Very nice, very nice and educational. Thank You
Awesome to see you're loving the car! And who could blame you with THOSE TAIL LIGHTS!!!
Right??? I want to see your completed BMW!
Thoroughly enjoyed your review. Never really knew much about the Clipper Line of Packard.
The most unique feature (besides full torsion bar suspension) was the transmission with LOCK UP torque converter. that began in 1948 and wasn't implemented in american cars until late 70s. Packard -provided 4 rear axle ratios , 287-1 being standard giving nice tall gears for highway driving.
Ultra-matics were smooth as silk as well. Most of the time you didn't feel it shift.
IN 55-56 the Senior Series cars did have a sylized Cormorant on the hood as well (the '56 version was sleeker) and a cloisonne Packard coat-of-arms on the hood (on 56's) and an embossed painted metal version on the circle-and-vee on the grille (on 55's). The crest did feature the Cormorant which was an integral part of the Packard coat-of-arms.
These were such beautiful cars.
Thanks for sharing. It’s one of the big mysteries to me why not a single car producers of today are using interconnected (front/rear) suspension. It gives such huge comfort benefits that it’s almost a no brained. I have never had the pleasure to travel in an interconnected Packard but the small interconnected Citroën’s and cars with Moultons Hydragas an Hydrolastic suspension always brings a smile to my face when traveling in these 😂
Luvin' your car, and your presentation.
I'm looking for 1954 Pacific or Panama which will be my 3rd Packard and I'm still on the 9-main bearing str8 8 with 3-speed overdrive.
The red hexagon in the center of the 'ship's wheel' had been a Packard emblem, on it's own, for decades and was rendered in red cloisonne.
That is a amazing design for a car.
Great Video 👍
Very informative 👏
I gradually became curious about these late Packards. There are still a few unrestored survivors around town. So they must have been made well. Thanks!
Beautiful Car, i have a 56 Packard Clipper Super Coupe here in England UK
Great video! Thanks for posting!
Wish Packard could have survived. My uncle drove Hudsons in the 50's till; he couldn't find them anymore. Two brands that should have remained in business.
Good Video - Beautiful Car - I'm a 1956 Model, also !
The lockup function of Ultramatic was coolly unique as was the electronic selector in senior trims in ‘56. The transmission though let it down on acceleration. I had a couple of older I-8 327 cid and the one with manual plus overdrive was quite quick.
7:42 Note the red hexagon Packard trademark in the hub of the ship's wheel.
I Love These Old Clippers ❤
3:47. Gears and shafts in trans also aluminum? Dynaflow went to aluminum CASE in 56 to save weight.
The only American car with 4-wheel torsion bar. Chrysler was front only, and no load lever. Oh, the trans: part of the development cost was for a lockup torque converter, almost 30 years ahead of Detroit - and they were MADE IN DETROIT! Slow ratio steering, but you could steer with a single finger, no power assist. 26-1/2 quart cooling system capacity - over 6.5 gallons! A few years back, a hot-rodded 374 Packard made for the Engine Masters series produced almost 450 (later 475) HP on the dyno. Impressive.
Dad had a red/black '55 Clipper Custom Constellation, 2-door hardtop.
Beautiful car, but my favorite Packard cars were 1950 and before.
she's a beauty! the dash reminds me of a 1960 Chris Craft cabin cruiser my dad owned when I was a kid...that was also a sweet all American beauty. slow? not at all, I prefer to say leisurely, pleasant and not at all jarring as any luxury car owner with refined sensibilities would prefer. what's the big rush hot shot?
That's the one and only boat I'd ever own, a mahogany-trimmed CC cabin cruiser. Oh, man, you lucky kid you!
a fantastic car way ahead of its time
Thank you! A very educational presentation. It's amazing how many features - interior features, especially - of my 1956 Coupe de Ville were incorporated into the 1956 Clipper. I wonder who was spying on whom :)
❤❤❤ Мне жаль , что Пакарды прервались в 1958г.. Уникальный бренд!!! Ваша машина красивая! 2х цветная краска 🎉🎉🎉
Thanks for this nice presented car! 👍
There was a Russian made car called the "Chaika" which I think appeared some time after the loss of Packard cars being made in USA,not sure just when the Chaika appeared however,I think there are rumors that some of the Packard tooling and/or manufacturing equipment may have ended up in the Soviet Union? (Chaikas look very similar to the last two years of Packard models)
Packards,Packard Clippers,and "Clippers" are all very similar except for slightly shorter wheelbase on the Clippers and somewhat different engine availability?
Packard is A number one
I think 1956 was a best year for American cars, such as Lincoln Continental, De Soto (Imperial, Chrysler 300), Chevrolet Belair, and Packard Clipper. Why do I say this? Due the landed design for each stuff, tail lights are nice ok, not too much vig or small, the frontal grille in 1956 is decent for all these brands, 1957 are an exageration of design, complicate and unnecesary curves and chrome parts.
Mi humilde opinión. 😘
Greetings from 🇨🇱 Santiago Chile SouthAmerica
I’m looking at one. I may make an off on it. The gentleman that owns it started restoring it but has health issues. He has several packards someone hopefully will get them and restore them
At one time Packard was The "Rolls Royce" of American cars. More expensive than any but the most custom made cars. Like a Duesenberg. Fabulous cars. "Ask the man that ouns one" Mine is a 1951 "300". When I was born I came home from the hospital in my dads 1956 Clipper. But It was not as pretty as this one
I think up through about to 1950 Packard was very competitive with Cadillac and Packard seems to have made a lot of police cars (pretty powerful in their day) and funeral cars,limos and hearses
¡ Una descripción sin igual ! Detalle pir detalle del fabuliso Packard Clipper Custom de 1956. El mejor US car ( the best )
1956 was only the last year for the full size Packard. Studebaker- Packred went on to make smaller cars that they put the Packard nameplate on because they owned it, so 56 is technically not the last year for the Packred.
I love the car !!!
It's a beautiful car! What might have been...
Great video. Thank you for sharing historical information on your beautiful Packard. I’m a Packard guy also. I have a 55 Packard Clipper Deluxe. Can you please provide any information regarding aftermarket A/C ? It really gets hot here in the South!!! Thank you!
It’s a typical under dash Vintage Air unit. Works OK.
Do you know of a website that I can perhaps purchase an aftermarket a/c for my 55 Packard Clipper Deluxe?
Outstanding car /////
I wish you to enjoy this nice classic Coupé car. From what price starting today a 1956 Clipper Coupé matching numbers in a good condition in the US?
You don’t find them for sale much, but cars in this condition are about 20-30k USD.
Wow until the video I now the model thanks
Cool car. What highway are you driving on? It looks a lot like my old stomping grounds around Paso Robles.
great car . lucky man !
58 was the last year of the Packard, in Clipper form two more model years
Correction: Last year for the Detroit-Built Clipper but the name soldiered on for one more year as a Studebaker-based automobile built in South Bend.
The Packard "Clipper" name had been around for years before 1956. Maybe the 1940's? It was meant to be the entry-level , lower cost Packard.
Only the Caribbean models had the hood scoops, and yes they were made of lead. It was a real chore opening these hoods.
You didn't mention the most unique feature of the UltraMatic transmission, it has a lock-up torque converter, giving a true 1:1 drive ratio. About the only other automatics at this time which had a lock-up torque converter was the Borg-Warner 3-speed automatic and the Detroit Gear automatic, also a product of Borg-Warner.
Torsion bar suspension was a great idea as Chrysler used it on their front suspensions for decades. Chevrolet used them on their early-60's pick-ups which had independent front suspensions. GM used them on it's first front wheel drive cars, the Olds Toronado and Cadillac ElDorado. There just wasn't room for conventional coil springs. You will also find torsion bars on some Class A motorhomes.
I recently bought a audi TT mrk 1 and would like to build a vw 1.8 engine, bored and stroked to 2.0. Can you help me out storting what parts to buy? I saw your video but I couldn't figure out what parts are most important for a 400 to 500hp build.
Jump on the Facebook group “1.8t 20v Tuning”. There are a lot of recent posts with builds and discussions on the stroker options, from TDI cranks, FSI cranks, 2.0 blocks, ect.
It was known as the “panoramic” windshield and it started throughout the industry in 1955!
People today are unaware of how bad most paved roads were 60 years ago, compare to todays paved roads. In fact; there were probably more dirt and gravel roads than paved roads, which means the unpaved roads were incredibly rough! American cars if that era were designed to ride as smoothly and comfortably as possibly. They were never meant to be tossed around in turns, and were heavy for the same reason.
All 1945-1950 Packards were Clippers, with the Patrician being introduced in 1951.
IN MY DAYS PACKARD WAS A BIT OF LAUGHINGSTOCK!
HOWEVER THE STICK TRANSMISSION THEY HAD WAS NEARLY BULLETPROOF!
I RAN ONE BEHIND AN J-2 OLDSMOBILE BUILT ENGINE IN AN 33 DODGE PICKUP STREET ROD!
EVEN BETTER IT WAS A 3 SPEED WITH OVERDRIVE!
i would love to buy it is it for sale?