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Roadside Sighting: 1956 Packard Four Hundred

You really never know what you might find parked in a rural town. I was recently traveling through the tiny town of Shoshone, Idaho when I spotted something rather interested parked by an old shop. When I first spotted this Packard off in the distance, I thought I had just found a Caribbean! Once I got closer, I realized it wasn’t, but it’s a still very cool Four Hundred. Packard built just a little over three thousand of these hardtops for 1956. Clearly, this car has been parked here for quite some time. The $5,000 asking price could be the culprit or the fact that it’s parked behind a sign along the side of the road in a small farm town. The seller has a second nearly identical one parked about 50 feet away, so perhaps they’d be willing to throw it in?

Here’s the other 400 that’s parked nearby. I didn’t grab more photos of it, as I wasn’t sure if it was for sale as well. It looks like it would be a great parts car or could possibly restored. With only 3,244 built, it would be a shame to see it scrapped. Given how high the front is sitting, I’m going to guess the 374 cui V8 is missing, so it might not be cost effective to give it a proper restoration.

These really were luxurious cars and Packard wanted to make sure everyone knew it! They didn’t just slap some cheap “400” badge on the side of it, no they put “The Four Hundred” on the side so that you could confuse it with some other “400”. As I was looking this car over, I really was impressed with some of the small details that are easily overlooked.

The side that’s hidden behind the sign isn’t looking too great. This is where a parts car would come in handy, as the missing and damaged side trim could get expensive to replace. Trim might be one of the last things you think of when restoring a project like this, but it’s definitely something to think about when restoring something this rare.

As you can see, the interior has also seen better days. It looks complete though and could be restored. The 400 and the Caribbean both could be optioned with the push button controlled Ultramatic transmission. As cool a feature as it is, they can be problematic, so the column mounted shifter could actually be a good thing with a project like this.

As incredible as these Packards are, I’m not sure this one is worth $5k as it is. Hagerty values a #4 fair condition car at just $6,900, so you’d be miles ahead spending a little extra to buy a driver. Of course, if the seller is willing to negotiate or will include the other car for that price, it might be a realistic project. No matter what, it was a thrill to spot these cars and I’m glad I stopped to take a closer look! If you end up calling the seller, let us know what you find out.

Comments

  1. Avatar canadainmarkseh

    Fantastic cars that should both be restored. As you said Josh low production would make these two quite rare. The second car is up on blocks which would account for the raised look. It might be the better car. Either way to see two Packard hard tops in one spot would be a real treat. When I was a kid one of my dads freinds was a Packard collector he had four or five he gave the side circle coat of arms off of what I think was a Caribbean I still have them. It’s probably the closest I’ll ever get to having one. If there is in fact no engine in the one car and you had bags of money you could restomod one of them with upgraded mechanical parts, and restore the othere one to bone stock original condition. At least that’s what I’d do. A guy can dream.

    Like 12
  2. Avatar Dusty Rider

    I think it’s got a motor, it’s on blocks if I’m seeing it correctly.

    Like 5
  3. Avatar Beatnik Bedouin

    I hope this last of the ‘real’ Packards finds a loving home.

    Like 4
  4. Avatar Bob C.

    Yep, last true Packards this year before they became Packardbakers. A true Packard lover with a lot of money to spare will likely buy it.

    Like 2
  5. Avatar Bob C.

    Last year before they became Packardbakers. A true Packard lover with a lot of money to spare will likely buy it.

    Like 0
  6. Avatar canadainmarkseh

    Off topic a bit my gear head freinds to the south, winter has arrived in Calgary Alberta breaking a fifty year record for October 2nd snow a fall at about forty centimetres / 16 inches in the last 24 hours. Sometimes I question myself as to way I have a 3/4 diesel dodge 4×4 and then winter arrives and instead of being stuck I end up helping others get unstuck. For you guys that live south of the snow all have to say to you is you lucky ducks.

    Like 5
    • Avatar Mountainwoodie

      Youre making me cold! It was 95 yesterday in some parts of Southern California! But humid.

      Like 2
  7. Avatar Gary Fogg

    I have been dreading the onslaught of winter here in Maine, I have a 54 Buick to get home from far Northern Maine up by the Canadian border to “Central” Maine some 4 hours south. Too many unfinished car projects outside and nothing getting done…and silly me on here thinking “I’d really like to have that Packard !”

    Like 4
  8. Avatar Dovi65

    Those Packards were real lookers in their day. Shame they’re not being stored properly, especially in that type of climate.
    $5k for the one that’s known to be up for grabs is a bit steep, but for the pair might not be such a bad deal. Both are deserving of being restored and driven again. Hope they go to good, loving home

    Like 4
  9. Avatar Alexander Member

    Could be the springs are sagging or, did these come with an optional adjustable suspension ala Lincoln? The seller’s not too worried about selling to anybody other than locals by not putting an area code on their FOR SALE sign. Everyone has to add the area code when dialing where I live….

    Like 0
    • Avatar R Soul

      Could be it’s been for sale so long, he didn’t need the area code when he put it up for sale. ;-)

      Like 0
  10. Avatar Chinga-Trailer

    This sure reminds me of my old 1975 Gaz Chaika 13 limousine. A number of parts are interchangeable if memory serves correct.

    Like 0
  11. Avatar Matt Huff

    We have this 55 Panama,it is listed at $1500 on craigslist Sandusky,,and haven’t had a call in 2 years,it is totally saveable/restoreable,but would be a labor of love.
    It now has to sit outside,I would love someone to get it before the snow flies,
    and at this point.., we are welcome to offers.Packards are really cool,but not in
    any great demand.Is there anyone out there,that wants one…?

    Like 3
  12. Avatar Little Cars Member

    “Ask the man who owns one” if they want another! Matt, at the risk of ruffling feathers if that is the same ad that you’ve been running for two years, know that a lot of folks such as myself gloss over listings if no new info is included. Have you tried posing the car differently, including any spare parts in the photo –bumpers, wheelcovers, etc. I’ve had my eye on an MG in the local CL which has been posted for EIGHT years with the same photo. Something has to have changed in all those years but the price and pics remain the same.

    Like 1
    • Avatar Madmatt

      Little cars ..-….Yes we have listed it on the Packard forum..,
      no response,I also include 15 + pics on our ad- many newer ,with a
      detailed description,But my pics could be better,and maybe when we get time
      next spring,we will attach the bumpers and do a few things to it that will make it look much better.We have too many projects/vehicles,and this is worth $1500
      just for parts,but we will take offers..,at this point.

      Like 1
  13. Avatar Mike

    Google street viewed the corner where this car is. In it’s place when the Google car passed, there is a bizarre “camper” and a nice old dodge truck behind the building. The owner must have access to some eclectic stuff.

    https://www.google.com/maps/@42.9344592,-114.4071125,3a,52.1y,23.18h,84.59t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s8YFE2de7gfU-7z_Vzxv8tA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en

    Like 1
  14. Avatar Steve

    There is an area in SF where a homeless person is living in one of these. He and his friends simply push it around the block to avoid the 72 hour no move rule.

    Like 0
  15. Avatar Alexander Member

    Too much time on your hands? Why would you want to see the street view? It is probably from years ago. I “Googled” my current home before buying it and the aerial and street views were from 2013!

    Like 0
    • Avatar belinda

      same reason the chicken crossed the road…to get the other side (see the other side of the car.)… :->

      Like 1
      • Avatar Alexander Member

        Stalker…..!!!…LOL

        Like 0

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