When was the last time you saw one of these, a 1958 Packard station wagon? In my case, never! I know 1958 was the end of the line for Packard, and this once great marque was reduced to that of a gussied-up Studebaker. And I’ve seen a good number of ’58 Packards, but I don’t recall ever feasting my eyes on the station wagon version. The seller suggests, “This would be a great candidate for restoration, or hot rod, or super unique and rare surf wagon.” Perhaps so, let’s investigate and see if we concur. This big visual statement of a fifties suburban staple is located in Bokeelia, Florida (near Fort Myers), and is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $5,000. Thanks are due to T.J. for this fantastic tip!
The seller claims that this wagon is one of only 159 assembled in 1958, and that number aligns with my research. Most people are familiar with the story of Packard, a vaunted American automobile manufacturer, which acquired Studebaker in 1954 and formed the Studebaker-Packard Corporation. By ’58, it was all over except for the clapping as Packard assembled only 3K cars and placed last in the domestic automobile production race that year. Models included two-door hardtops, four-door sedans and station wagons, as well as the “Hawk” two-door coupe.
Styling, of course, is always subjective, but this baby’s got all the overt late fifties styling cues goin’ on. It’s so out there that it becomes a visual draw! This wagon’s body is pretty straight, but there is rust hither and yon, much of it is surface in nature, with some that is more invasive. Beyond that, there is some evidence of Bondo too, so a thorough review of this Packard’s body would be in order – it’s the unseen that can turn a problem into a big problem. Fortunately, this wagon’s unobtanium trim is all still in place.
Packard power in ’58 meant Studebaker power, which in this case is a 225 gross HP, 289 CI V8 engine, delivering the go, when running, via a “Flightomatic” automatic transmission. The seller states, “engine will run if you pour gas in the carburetor, but it needs a full restoration.”
The interior was probably a looker back in its day, at least judging from the pattern of the very worn upholstery. There’s only one image included in the listing, so a thorough interior assessment is difficult to make. The very flat instrument panel appears to be rather pedestrian for a car of Packard’s stature, but I suppose one could say the “Packardness” was long gone by the time 1958 rolled around. Of note are the missing front door panels – something that may be difficult to replicate. Unfortunately, there are no included images of the wayback.
Wow, what a great find! Yeah, it needs a lot of work, but how many of those 159 produced still exist today? Very, very few would be my guess. Someone, please buy this Packard; it needs to be saved, wouldn’t you agree?
I know nothing about these Packards, and I’m with Jim, I don’t think I have ever seen one. With the few built, there can’t be more than a handful which still exist, in any condition. Lots of late 50’s charms, such as the dual-level fins and the dagmars. Wild upholstery but, as Jim notes, a very bland instrument panel.
Restoring or even just refurbishing this Packard would be a labor of love. It is now marked as “sold” so I hope the new owner is going to give it some attention.
Thanks Jim, I enjoyed the write-up.
Its a little hard for me to make out in the photos but perhaps thats the original selling dealer emblem on the tailgate. I’m with Bob and Jim, I’ve never seen one of these Packard ( Packardbaker ) wagons in person. How they managed to graft on the 4 pod headlights on the front and the extra tailfins ( on a budget no doubt) always impressed me. Restoring this thing is going to be a labor of love like Bob in TN already said, and I wonder about the availability of the upholstery material, but it would be really unique and would absolutely stand out at a Cars and Coffee. T.J. has a knack for finding neat stuff for us readers, and Jim, thank you for writing this unique Packard wagon for us.
Ditto to what Bob and Dave said.
Especially echo the fervent hope it gets returned to original as much as possible.
I completely agree. This needs to.be restored to original, including having whitewalls!!! We can’t have blackwall tires on a Packard now, can we????
I’ve only seen 1 of these wagons in my life. That was +/- 6 decades ago. I couldn’t imagine the difficulties restoring this car. I am very happy that someone apparently has taken up the challenge. I agree, there isn’t much PACKARD in this car but it still deserves to be saved and shared. Good luck!
It’s been said that the ’57 and ’58 Packardbakers were very nice Studebakers but not so great Packards.
A great example of combining 2 automotive classics into one really ugly combination. The 53 studebaker design was one of the most sophisticated ever, so much so that they kept tweaking it and using it right to the end. And the 55-56 Packard was a high class design for 50’s luxury cars but this combo? YUCK – it doesn’t work automotively in any way i can think of
So TRUE…. And in total agreement: the 55/56 were beautifully designed high line luxury cars. Even the 57’s were surprisingly good-given the haste and chaos with Detroit plant shutdown and designed and never produced planned 57 Real Packard line.
Out of this we have this 58: grafted on quad headlights, double fins, and every cliche possible…Yuck indeed. And it doesn’t work at all!
Love the look: The goggle eyes, wide narrow grin, and those taillights are certainly sassy.
Would be a labor of love for sure. The front end reminds me of a catfish or a sturgeon. Part of me wishes that they had put the Packard V8 in these, which if memory serves they did with the Avanti.
Never heard of any Studebaker Avanti having a Packard V8, but that sure would be an unusual swap!
You’re right Peter, they never used the Packard V8. I don’t think it would have fit anyway.
Sold. A fright pig.
“Packardness” is such a great invented adjective that only we car nuts would understand and appreciate. It sure won’t be found in your Merriam Webster. Great write up and great find. Looks like someone is going to have a lot of fun with this one. PS: spell check fought me for using this P word. It was determined to make me use a B instead. That actually might have worked too.
That snout rivals the Daimler Dart, only bigger
And the loveseat on the back! These ’57-8 StuPak wagons were the only ones ever made that you could have a tailgate party with the tailgate closed.
The dual exhaust pipes and hood scoop pushed through the envelope for me.
In a good way.
Buy it & park it between your Daimler Dart & Pontiac Aztek.
It’ll make them look good.
It may be rare …but it SURE is ugly !
Yep….rare doesn’t always mean “wanted”. It’s rare because it still has it’s famous customiser taillights BUT….
It looks like it was at CoPart lot at one time and I’m pretty sure they came Supercharged like the Packard Hawk….
There are at least two of these for sale for awhile in like condition I’ve been following.
A friend of mine has a 58 4 door sedan. Pretty ugly, but it does have a fiberglass hood and a 4 bbl carburetor. They made 1200 of those. Packard stopped production on July 13, 1958.
Bug-eyed and toothy from the head-on view.
A face only a mother…or Packard fan…could love!
I think no Packard fan admits these even exist.
I own a 57 wagon.. it is super charged. 869 produced. The 58s were not super charged. Body parts very hard to find
WOW what jewel, something I would love to restore and enjoy.
With the exception of the interior , I would think it wouldn’t be impossible to do, but expensive. The whole car from the doors back is a Studebaker, the entire drivetrain is Studebaker , and there are many clubs and there are still parts available , plus there are junkyards out west who saved these cars ( the Studebakers) , so the majority of the stuff is still around, and the rare front clip and all the trim is still there. The unobtanium parts would have to be the door panels and seat upholstery