The 1956 Patrician was the last of the “senior level” automobiles built by Packard after their merger with Studebaker. For 1957-58, Packards would be rebranded Studebakers, earning the nickname “Packardbakers.” Customers and dealers alike didn’t take kindly to the transformation, and the storied marque disappeared after 1958. The seller bought this 1956 Patrician 4-door sedan as a project after it had been sitting for 30 years. Much work has been done, and more remains on the to-do list. Located in historic Williamsburg, Virginia, this stoic transport is available here on craigslist for $5,000. Another fine tip from Tony Primo.
Patricians had a six-year run from 1951-56 back when the company was assembling cars in Detroit. The restyle for 1955-56 was already approved by the time Packard and Studebaker joined forces in 1954, which would soon spell the end of Packard. These later automobiles had a 374 cubic inch V8 with a Twin-Ultramatic transmission, a combination befitting a Cadillac or Lincoln. The Patrician was only sold as a 4-door sedan, and 9,127 found buyers in 1955, while just 3,375 did so in 1956. The merged companies were already in the red, so Packard lived on in name only after ’56.
The seller has been working on this Packard for four years, and a lot of progress has been made. But he’s starting a business, and there will be no time for the machine going forward. It may have just 43,000 miles and runs, though the beast is still a work-in-progress. It’s fully loaded with just about every option of the day and has as much chrome as almost any other car you might find. The new or newer parts list goes on and on, which could easily put the seller in the red.
Left to do is some carburetor work, fixing the windshield wipers, installing the valve body to the power rack, and attending to a bunch of small items. The body is mostly okay, though there is some rust you’ll need to fix before applying fresh paint (which it needs). The interior may be okay unless your goal is to turn this Packard into a full-fledged show contender. It’s a shame that Packard was unable to survive, as they were some of the finest vehicles made during their time.
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