Reader George P shared a craigslist ad with us that features a 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air barn find and in the ad I noticed that they mention a 1956 Packard Clipper and that they are both part of an estate sale, so I decided to do a little digging to find the auction listing. If I lived anywhere near Northampton, Pennsylvania or were going to be in town on May 6th, I would definitely be attending this auction, even if it’s only to see these cars! The ’55 is an original low mileage survivor and the Clipper has been fully restored. You can see the auction flyer here.
Here is the Packard and boy is it a beauty! The auction house doesn’t provide much in the way of details. They state that it has 49k miles, is a 4 door and has been fully restored. Hopefully it runs and is rusty free, but you will want to take a closer look at it in person.
I have a feeling most bidders will be at this auction to see the Bel Air. It looks to be in decent shape and they claim that it is rust free with just 16k miles. Again, they don’t offer much more info than that. Hopefully with some cleaning and a full tune up, you can get both of these classics back on the road. So will you be attending this estate sale? And if so, which car will you be bidding on? Special thanks to George for this tip!
If I am forced to choose a favorite when it comes to the tri-fives, it would be the ’55 Chevy, albeit, I’m more inclined to the ’55 Ford. With that out of the way..the Packard is the winner here simply because I lean towards orphan manufacturers.
56 was is/was my favorite tri-five chevy, quirky gas filler behind the taillights and the grille make them my favorite! but I could be convinced to take this 55!
The 55 Chevy was the first street legal car I bought for myself. ( 1st car was a 59 Belair 4dr the old man bought me ). Many fond memories there, dated my current wife in it. It was a project then, especially for a broke teenager, the project ended one night when it blew a ring or something, it was burning oil faster than I could add it. I put some 20w50 in it and headed for home. Got pulled over by a State trooper because he came up on my smoke screen, it covered his windshield with oil. He went over every inch of it, by the time he was done I had a safety repair ticket 7 pages long. With today’s values I’d likely fix it, but at that time the only choice for me was a trip to the junk yard. The old saying “if I only knew then” is appropriate here.
I’m sure that’s a newish paint job on the Packard. Now, Fully restored…Is it the grain of the picture, or does that front end need some more little chrome letters on it compared to what it has?
No, the front hood letters CLIPPER are drawn out horizontally across the entire hood, and connected together as one piece. What is there is correct. I’m enclosing a photo of one with a dark paint job so it’s easy to see. If I remember correctly I’ve seen this car at one of the Packard meets, and it’s a nice car.
I have seen the car in the auction, and the script is complete.
It looks to me like it says Clipper across the front. Car looks in great shape.
I love these auctions and attend them all the time. Haven’t discovered any beauties yet but if I do I am sure they will go for a high price (typical of auctions). The key is knowing your pricing and not get wrapped up in the bidding.
I love both cars but for potential I need to go with the Belair.
I always wanted 55 chevy my dad had one this color when I was little.it’s a life long dream to own one like this.
We snuck into a dealer’s home backyard in 1955, before the cars hit the showroom. Several models were there with covers over them. We peeled one off to reveal the egg-crate grill, and were thrilled! Still are, to this day. Eventually got a’55 210 4 door, and later, a ’57 Nomad. Wish I had them back.
That Bel Air looks like it will go pretty high if it’s a survivor. I love 55s, got another one last fall, made money and the 55 for flipping two cars, one of them the Nomad.
Bought a 58 Impala when I started my first job.I read with interest the words that I should have saved it , or if I had only known back then. Well 45 years later I still have the car. Sure it needs work, maybe more than it is worth, but at least the dream is still accessible.