Packard and Studebaker joined forces in 1954, so the 1955 Packards were already set in stone. The Patrician was a luxury sedan, positioned between the Clipper and Four Hundred models. Changes were significant in 1955, so perhaps those who came to the ill-fated merger thought the Packard brand was going to soldier on. This sweet-looking and riding automobile is quite roadworthy and may only need a new place to call home. Located in North Phoenix, Arizona, this near survivor is available here on craigslist for $15,900. A “thumbs up” to Tony Primo for this great tip!
Launched in 1951, the Patrician got its name from a Latin word meaning “ruling class”. It was in production through 1956 when the last of the “real” Packards were cancelled. In 1957 and 1958, Packards would be largely rebadged Studebakers. The cars were propelled by a new 374 cubic inch V8 paired with a Twin-Ultramatic transmission. Since the seller says this car has a 700R 4-speed transmission, we assume the original was replaced before reaching 80,000 miles.
Sales for the Patrician – offered only as a 4-door sedan – were just over 9,000 units in 1955. Demand would drop by two-thirds in 1956 before the last bell rang. This Packard is said to be in excellent condition, and the close-up photos provided by the seller tend to support the claim. We’re told this car has a 352 CI, which was the forerunner of the 374, so has the factory motor been changed out?
This is a well-laden automobile, including air conditioning, which wasn’t particularly common in the 1950s except for cars like these. The seller says he/she just drove the vehicle 900 miles, and it cruises along just fine. The body, paint, and interior all appear to be top-shelf, and we assume some or all of it is original. The seller makes a good argument that this Packard is twice the car for half the price of a Tri-Five Chevrolet.
The 1955 Patrician and Four Hundred engine’s displacement was 352 CID. The 374 V8 wasn’t introduced until 1956.
Engineering-wise, these were wonderful cars — far more beautiful than the 1955 Cadillac, and well ahead of their time. Unfortunately, however, they also came ahead of their own time, with numerous problems and failures with such systems as the torsion bar suspendion (a rather important component, that!). If I were going to drive it, (which, last I knew, was what you DO with a car), I would go for the 1951 instead (even though the 1955 is pretty!) — the 1951 Packard ran for ever, didn’t rust-out, and presented with few break-downs. The 1948-through 1950 “pregnant elephant” models were, if anything, even MORE reliable. A big part of the Packard collapse came from the quality-control/reliability headaches with those classically-beautiful ’55s!
The Patrician was the top tier 4 door sedan. The 400 was the top tier 2 door hardtop. Both were equal senior models along with the ragtop Caribbean. One was not above the other; one was a 4 door while the other had two.
The next levels down were the Clipper models which included in order of hierarchy the Custom, Super and Deluxe.
Triple-tone cruiser? I’m only seeing two-tone paint (the Caribbeans got the tri-tone, no?).
Maybe he is counting to gold / bronze stripe down the side???
Here in N.E. Oklahoma there was a guy who restored and collected Packards plus a few other interesting cars (had a Graham Hollywood). Sadly he passed away when a tractor he was working on fell on him.