1955 Packard Patrician Sedan
The headlines of the day screamed, “The New Packard With Sensational Torsion Level Ride”, a car ahead of its time that is not 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
Price: Auction
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