The seller of this 1955 Packard Patrician is only the car’s second owner, and he says that the car runs and drives well. He has decided that the time has come for the car to find a new home, so he has listed it for sale here on eBay. The Packard is located in Trenton, New Jersey, and is being offered for sale with a clear title. At the time of writing, bidding has reached $2,550. A big thank you has to go out to Barn Finder Ikey H for spotting this Packard for us.
The owner says that the car is not a show car, but is a good driver. The car underwent a repaint at some point during the 1980s, and the finish is said to have some flaws in it. The car looks to be quite solid and rust-free, and all of the trim is present, and also looks good. Those trim pieces on the side of the ’55 Patrician were the result of some very clever thinking by Packard. They were actually designed to make the masking process easy so that cars could leave the factory with a three-tone color scheme, as featured on this car.
The interior of the Patrician looks quite good, but once again, it isn’t perfect. The kick panel is missing out of the driver’s foot-well, the front seat has been patched on the driver’s side, and there is just some general wear and tear that would need to be addressed to return it to its former glory. The car features power windows, and these work as they should. The dash fascia on the ’55 Patrician is similar to that on the ’56 model, but while the ’56 finish was machined stainless steel, the ’55 model received a much warmer and more luxurious looking bronze finish.
The Patrician is fitted with the 352ci V8 engine and Twin-Ultramatic transmission. The photos are a bit blurred, but from what we can see, it generally looks pretty reasonable under the hood. The car is also fitted with power steering. As previously mentioned, the owner says that the car runs, drives, and stops well, and all of the lights and other components on the car work as they should. The car was also fitted with new tires less than a year ago. The owner also states that both the title and the odometer reflect the fact that the car has only covered 34,720 miles.
In 1955, Packard produced 9,100 Patricians, and time has taken a toll on this number. Finding solid examples today is becoming more difficult, but the prices really don’t reflect that rarity as much as you would expect. Having said that, this is a car that may appreciate in value in coming years, but of course, that is always a bit of an unknown. A ’55 Patrician in reasonable order can be found for around $11,000, while an immaculate car will easily achieve more than $20,000. Bidding on this car hasn’t been frantic, so this might potentially represent an inexpensive future classic.
I know, we’ve been over and over what brought Packard down, but by all rights, this is the car that should have saved Packard. I mean, look at it. More stylish than any other ’55 I can think of, V8, updated automatic, innovative torsion ride suspension, not sure this car has that, I believe there would be more hardware under the hood, but it really was a wonderful car. Piece of automotive history here. Shows the lack of interest, then and now, struggling at $3,000 dollars, almost an insult( or a great buy) for this grand automobile. And yes, Packards were still referred to as “automobiles” in ’55.
Beautifully stated. A car that really should be trading for a lot more.
Packard Patricians were premium priced cars for above middle class buyers which made them out-of-range for the average middle class family across North America. Most families were concentrating on keeping their kids in food, clothing, and toys during the mid-to-late 50s & 60s. Don’t forget that the Baby Boom Generation grew up with a Dodge, Ford, or Chev. Packards were for the elite buyers so at 9100 total sales it was bound not to be an icon on main street USA aside from being that rich guy’s car from that elite neighbourhood across town.
p.s. It’s up to $4100 with 19 bids on ebay so far.
check out the old Packard plant on Google.
Bob
This was the car the 1955 Packard was competing for buyers. As their ad said, “Wouldn’t you rather have a Buick?’
You have to admit this Buick illustration is rather flattering to actual roofline and length proportion…
The 55’s were late. They didn’t get to the dealers until January, missing the fall new model frenzy. Then, they were plagued with problems. The v8, transmission, and torsion bar suspension were just some of the troubles. After the shortcomings became apparent, customers disappeared. A sad end for such a fine automobile.
Someone is going to get a good deal on this one. Beautiful car I’d buy it if I could, it beats having the dime a dozen Chevies. In fact oddly enough that’s what he’s keeping. I do some detail work and maintenance on it than just enjoy using it on nice days. Up here that means you won’t see cars like this out again until spring. A good time to get work done on them.
I like it and the 57 chev to the left of it!
The lil possibly hot rod A model ford sedan looks cool too.
Patrician ride for Plebian fare.
Now THIS is a real Packard, next to last year before they would sadly become Packardbakers.
Gorgeous inside and out. I’ll reiterate what others have stated already: someone’s likely going to get a great deal on a spectacular piece of automotive history.
I really like this car, but it’s worth remembering the ’55s had a lot of issues with their new, first-year features, and body issues thanks to being forced to bring all their bodywork in-house with almost no notice. Still, 63 years is plenty of time to get those things sorted, which doesn’t mean they were. At this price, I say it’s worth taking the chance.
Very stylish for its day. Color combinations work well. But the car collecting community has spoken loud and clear. There are only a hand full of exceptions to the rule, two door vehicles rule the roost.
This appears to be a four door. I was watching one of the car shows several years back.
I wish I could recall exact make, year and model, he had a two door and four door of that same vehicle. He was asking $35,000 more for the two door.
Both cars in similar condition as well.
I think this is part of the problem here. Packard as recall had a very competitive reputation.
So this car in this condition is a virtual turn key, its going to allow someone to nearly steal this car and if not already there, join ranks of proud vintage car enthusiasts
I would proudly drive down the street but some how the woman doesn’t share the exact passion.
On plus side when in my Corvette there is absolutely no such thing as too fast. So we compromise it would seem.
How we haven’t been stopped in it boarders on some sort of miracle. :)
I consider four-doors a discounted coupe with bonus options. I’m actually glad the market favors two-doors, because that makes the 4D sedans so much easier to acquire. Sitting behind the wheel, you’d never know the difference, unless you’re obsessed with what others think of you.
Hey JOHN C..don’t you know- 4 doors RULE!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
God, I love that car.
A regal looking car and that’s for sure. We all know what happened and why it occurred, but that still doesn’t make it any less painful.sixtly plus years later. I truly think this car makes the 57 next to it look plebian. Nice looking vehicle and a great car for someone.
Wouldn’t be ashamed or afraid to drive it
every day. I can just see my MIL and SIL
tooling around town or anywhere else in
this car. These cars were smooth power-
ful machines that cruised effortlessly at
over 80-85 MPH all day long. And the 4-
wheel torsion bar suspension made them
outstanding handlers as well. With today’s technical advances, there’s no real reason whatsoever that would stop
me from enjoying and caring for this fine
old classic.
I’ll echo the comment about 4-doors being a cheap entry into classic car ownership. I picked up a one-owner 1958 Mercury 4 door for around $3k, and it was a fun cruiser. Acres of chrome, huge fins, and a visual treat. I sold it a couple of years later for about the same amount, so it wasn’t an “investment”, but certainly a lot of fun.
Torsion-Level Ride is standard on all full size ’55 Packards and top of the line Clippers. One should join the Packard Club because Torsion-Level includes 6 switches (includes the 2 solenoids) and 2 twenty amp fuses to control the T-L compensator motor. Must switch system off to change a flat tire and for other service.
UK buyer 2015 discussion w/Packard Club to resolve T-L problem(s):
http://www.packardclub.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3584
My Folks were Packard people. I remember them having them from 1948 to 1956. I was a little boy then. the last one was a 1956 Packard Clipper 2-door hardtop.wow car would just float down the highway I was 12 then. It was a classic car then I thought. that was the last year that my dad bought a new Packard. But he did buy my mother a 1957 all black with gold in the fins Golden Hawk supercharged car wow that was a fast ass car. my brother got that one when he was a 18.
It won’t fit in my garage.
Hey Al Leonard, four doors do rule, if you are an Uber driver!
Ps I don’t make the rules.
Thank you Adam and Ikey. They are wonderful cars. If I had the room I’d buy it.
I think big luxury cars always look better as four doors, and 4dr pillarless hardtops look as good as the two door version, except for second generation Corvairs.
Looks like a great buy BUT where do you get part when you need them?
The Packard Club is a great resource.
Up over $6000 and still a deal. I don’t have the cash but I was in to $3000 which I do have. What a car