Since I commenced writing for Barn Finds I’ve had the opportunity to write about a few Packards, and I have really developed a soft spot for them. To me they really seem to be a stylish and quite elegant car. Sure they had their flaws, but name me a car that doesn’t. Located in Penrose, Colorado, this particular car is listed for sale here on Craigslist. It comes with a clean title and the seller is advertising it for sale at a very reasonable $2,800. Barn Finds reader Ikey Heyman referred this old classic to us, so a big thanks to Ikey for that.
When this series of Packard was originally introduced in 1953 the Packard plan had been to market it as a stand-alone marque. However, dealer resistance lead to this plan being shelved until the 1956 model year. Generally speaking this old Packard appears to be in quite good condition. It appears to be solid with no obvious rust, rot or significant panel damage, although the paint is a bit on the dull side. This may come up okay with a good dose of polish. The majority of the trim appears to be present, but some of the chrome pieces are going to need re-plating. The biggest issue appears to be damage to the radiator grille. A replacement may be difficult to source, but I believe that it could be possible to have the damage repaired and then have it re-plated.
The interior is the home of some major contradictions for me. The dash appears to be in quite good condition with everything present and accounted for, although there is an odd little black plate just to the left of the steering column. The painted surface is serviceable but could probably benefit from a fresh coat of paint if you were undertaking a full restoration. The seat upholstery appears to be virtually flawless. I don’t think that the carpet is original, but it appears to also be in good condition. The thing that stands out for me are the door cards. The upholstery on those is just trashed. They look so totally out of place. It almost feels like someone has commenced a restoration on the interior and has run out of either time, money, patience or enthusiasm. This would not be an expensive item to bring up to the standard of the rest of the trim and would make it look really attractive.
As you can see from this shot the issue that afflicts the front of the cabin carries over to the rear. It’s a shame because it really detracts from what is an otherwise really good interior. The positive that I draw from it though is that at least the existing upholstery will give a good auto trimmer a template to work from on a re-trim.
Under the hood sits that impressive straight-8 engine with a displacement of 288.6ci. It is backed by the two speed Packard Ultramatic automatic transmission. According to the seller the car had been sitting for twelve years, but it only took five minutes to get that engine up and running. There is no word on the condition of the rest of the drive-train, but I would be banking on going over the whole thing before I considered hitting the wide open road.
On the face of it this old Packard seems to have a lot of potential as a project car. If the underside of the car is as solid as the outside appears then at $2,800 it would make a great basis for a project car. It is entirely possible that if the car is solid all that would be needed would be to give it a full mechanical check and replace any items that are suspect, fix the door cards and get out there on the road and enjoy it. Sounds like a pretty good plan to me.
I’ve been a Packard fan for a long, long time. At this price, if I were in Colorado it would be hard to walk away from this one.
The carpet looks like that Astro turf indoor/outdoor stuff, otherwise looks like a great survivor
what is that thing to the left of the steering column?
Could it be a pull-out ash tray?
You got it, ken, ash tray, although, I suppose the dignified Packard term was “ash receiver”.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/elmcityminusone/21359591304/in/photostream/
Turn signal switch, light switch, starter button, wiper knob, e brake handle, ???
Theyre called door panels…
I hate the term door cards…cards are for poker…
I totally agree with you. Where did the term “door cards” originate I wonder?
From the same bloodline as the person who coined the term ”firing pin’ for the AC ACniter- II sparkley plugs.
It’s British-speak for door panel. As in, “I removed the aluminium trim from the door card and laid it on the bonnet next to my spanners, then put the kettle on and made myself a cuppa.”
Like two or four door “post”. No one offered any such thing. A hardtop is an outlier. It has no B pillar.
Or change, swap, switch “out”. Filler word to make it sound like someone is doing something more complicated than just changing, swapping, switching. What ever is being changed, swapped, or switched is always going out.
That rusty plate does appear to be a driver’s ashtray. On left side could be a Packard clipper thing. Though I did drive a 53 Packard for a few months back in the day. I didn’t smoke then, so I can’t recall where an ashtray would be.
Packard has a fascinating history, the ’55 and ’56 Packard 400s are really cool. This is a lot if car for the money, I like these more and more as time goes by.
In this performance oriented world, I am afraid there are fewer and fewer people that will take on a car like this as it doesn’t do 0-60 in 3 seconds and doesn’t corner very well. It also doesn’t get 30 MPG.
I hope somebody does buy and love this car.
testing,,hmm, I tried twice to comment on this car, and bupkis. Something must have triggered the filter. This car isn’t far from me, and I’ve seen the yard, but never thought they’d have something like this( and others, in the background) Not many people went for the outdated styling and motor, only true Packard fans. Be a nice project, plenty of parts in NJ.
Howard – I once drove past a car crushing business along CO-115 in Penrose, I hope the car is not there and destined for the crusher if it doesn’t sell!
No one’s gonna crush a car in this condition unless Fredo, the challenged son, is in charge for the day.
This Packard is clean, has a 8 cylinder engine, and would be a great project car for a person who wants to get into the classic car game. Generally speaking, I am not a fan of the Packard Tombstone grill, but this car is proportionally correct.
Very nice car that could be turned into a beautiful car with some cleaning and a little attention to detail! Great price too! Title definitely benefits it to go to a buyer! Wished I could, but I can’t!
It’s called a door card because they were made out of carboard originally. Whereas a door panel is pressed steel. And thats not British speak – thats US Speak from Ford in Dearborn. I knew working for their British arm for 34 years would come in hand one day :)
If you want confusion in terminology you should have been there when we bought out Jaguar/Landrover and Aston Martin!!!
Clean it up, go over it mechanically, get it back on the road. It’s fine as it is.
The door trim can be replaced at some point.
I wouldn’t touch the grille, it’s just not that big of a cosmetic problem. And part of it’s history and character [unlike rust and “patina” aka burned off paint or dents].
That said, anywhere else and yes, it would have to be addressed.