The Packard Motor Company produced the finest cars in the industry for over 50 years. the history of the companay and the many wonderful cars they produced is well covered on other pages on this site so I will just cut to the history of this particular model and car.
The Executive model was introduced in March of ’56. It was priced between Packard’s luxury line and their lower priced Clipper Line. When this car was built, Packard’s rich heritage was coming to an end. This car left the factory May 26th, 1956, the plant shutdown down forever on Jun 25th, just 30 days later. The 1956 Packard had been advertised as the greatest Packard of them all. There are severl things that make this car special. Packard introduced their latest V8 engine in 1955. It was the most powerful in the industry. It boasted 352 Cubic inches (that’s 5.8 liters) rated at nearly 300 horsepower. They were the only independent company to design their own automatic transmission, utilizing electronic push-button controls: decades before computers. Packard was the first production car with torsion bar suspension. The torsion action is spread a combined length of over 26 feet. An electric motor would automatically level the car. A Packard engineer recalled: “The boys over at Lincoln and Cadillac were still using bed springs and barrel-staves, sometimes helped by a concertina”. These advances, the luxurious appointments, leading edge styling, and the solid legendary Packard Build Quality, make this car a desirable addition to any collection.
Finished in a stunning Turquoise and White livery, with flawless chrome and near perfect paint, this excellent example was treated to a comprehensive restoration in 1998, and has been maintainted in climate controlled stroage ever since, so still presents as a freshly restored. Purchased in 2005 by the seller who desired a comfortable and reliable tour car, lots of work has been performed recently resulting in a fully sorted car one can confidently jump in and drive cross country without hesitation. The entire Brake System was rebuilt in 2007, and a new Power Brake Unit and Master Cylinder was just installed; the Engine was enhanced with a high flow Oil pump and new lifters and pushrods in 2006; A custom built 4 row radiator was installed in 2009; the Generator was replaced with a high powered Alternator and hidden Petronics Ignition System was installed as well as new mufflers, an electric 12 v fuel pump, and new power assist cylinder and hoses for the power steering unit, new battery, and complete transmission rebuild in 2009. A high performance Alpine Stereo was discreetly installed, the original radio has been retained and can be easily reinstalled should you so desire. The car also sports a new Battery and Coker Wide Whites.
Here is a rare and desirable late Packard that one can both show and tour with confidence.
