My 1956 400 hardtop (and me)

[Guest Randy Berger]

This 1956 Four Hundred hardtop is built on a 127? wheelbase chassis and weighs

.5,000 pounds.

Purchase price was $4190.00 FOB Detroit. The serial number is 3453 which makes

. it number 2453 of 3224 produced.

Powered by Packard?s 374 cu. in.V-8 engine with a 4 1/8? bore and 3.5? stroke,

. it develops 290 bhp and 405 foot- pounds of torque @ 2800 rpm.

Power is delivered to the Twin-Traction ( (posi-traction)) 3.54 rear-end

. through the Twin-Ultramatic electrically-controlled push-button automatic

. transmission. The suspension system is two 111? long main torsion bars

. augmented by two auxiliary torsion bars connected to an electrically powered

. 1625:1 gear reduction. The auxiliary bars react to any change in load or

. weight distribution and maintain the vehicle at a constant level riding height

. in normal operation. Height can be controlled manually for unusual

. situations (going up/down steep driveways, changing tires, etc.).

. Optional equipment:

.. Push-button gearshift ??????????????????????$52.00

.. Wonderbar radio with dual powered rear antennas and rear-seat speaker

.................................................?$168.00

.. Power brakes ?????????????????????-----???? $39.80

.. Electric windows ??????????????????????--? $108.00

.. Four-way power seats ????????????????????? $70.00

.. Heater with underseat heater ??????????????$131.00

.. White sidewalls ???????????????????????--? $39.00

.. Torsion level ????????????????????--???? $150.00

.. Twin-Traction ??????????????????????---?? $44.00

.. Solex glass ????????????????????????---? $32.30

.. Twin spotlights with mirrors ??????????? $100.00

.. Wire wheels ????????????????????????-- $356.00

. Total ?????????????????????????-----? $5,480.10

Purchased in 1972 for $100.00 by the third (and current) owner,

. its present value is slightly higher.

. Bodywork and paint by Al?s Service, Wendel, Pa.

. Supplies via advertisers in Hemmings Motor News

. (Acrylic lacquer from Hibernia Auto Restorations, New Jersey

. (Original upholstery material and matched leather by SMS Auto Fabrics,

. Portland, Ore.

. (Potmetal chrome by Potmetal Restorations, Tallahassee, Fla.

. (Wire wheels restored by Wire Wheels, Fresno, Calif.

. Interior by Sisco?s Auto Trim, Monroeville, Pa.

. Transmission rebuilt by Ron Siegal, Fombell, Pa

. Bumpers and interior chrome by M&P Refinishing, Jeannette, Pa.

. Money supplied by owner and The Management

. Mechanical work done by owner and slave (son)

. Packard?s motto was ?Ask the man who owns one?

.............[color:"red"] So ask me, just go ahead and ask me!

[Guest imported_MrEarl]

Randy, Very nice!!! So has the car been a restoration in progress since 72 or...? Looks like "The Management" was good to you. What color is that. Would love to see more pictures, perhaps before and afters.

[Dosmo]

That is one flashy-looking ride there, Randy. Very nice - I am impressed. It would appear you have done an excellent resto on the Packard. What is it like to drive regarding modern traffic? Keeping up, handling, braking, etc.?

Al in Tennessee

[Dr Morbius]

A Beaut - that's for sure!!!!! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> What is that color combo ??? ..............Steve

[Guest Randy Berger]

Mr. Earl, I slowly worked on the mechanical end for several years. I took it out to drive around the block one day and the tranny let go. I had LO and REV but nothing else. I limped back home, stuck it in the garage and told my wife the sad news. "That's it!" she said. That car has been taking up the garage for twenty years - either fix it or get rid of it! I replied "I've just been waiting for you to tell me what to do, Dear" <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> I had the trans rebuilt a month or so later, and then turned the car over to a friend's body shop. Upholstery was next and it turned out very well. The wire wheels were rebuilt last and were expensive but worth it. The Management agreed <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

It is painted the original colors, Dover White and Eire Green. All 56 Packard colors were geographically named. Eire is short for Ireland and Dover is for the white cliffs of Dover. I have a lot of fun with the car - it is a good driver.

And thanks for asking!

[Guest Randy Berger]

Al, it is a pleasure to drive and ride in. This car has no conventional springs - it is all torsion bars and always rides level regardless of load. I've had it up to 105 mph, but just once. Drum brakes take a while to stop a 2 1/2 ton auto. I had it weighed at a truck weighing scale and with the driver in it, it is 5,000 pounds even. Please no wisecracks <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

[Guest Randy Berger]

Steve, that is the original color - Dover White and Eire Green.

[Retrorocket88]

Sweet!!

[Guest Skyking]

Randy, very nice car indeed!! Back in '56 I was 10 years old and playing cars on the sidewalk near my house with a friend. A brand new 56 Four Hundred white, pinkish rose & black drove by and went into his driveway. It was his father surprising the family with their new Packard. I'll never forget the look on my friends face that day..............back then when a new car drove by, you knew it was new!

[Sigurbjorn H.]

A real Beauty.I still remember when I was 5(In 1969) when my uncle came to visit my dad and he came on his ´55 Packard Clipper,the only ´55 Packard who was imported new to Iceland.What a car.Twelve years later it was mine and I still have it

[michel88]

Randy, that sure is one beautiful Packard 400! My mom had a '52 Packard 400 4dr sedan. It was gun metal gray and was smooth as silk. She traded it in on '58 Packard (Stude/Packard) which was a very good car, but I didn't care for the styling. I drove it when I first got my license and it was very fast. I surprised a lot '55-'57 Chevys and such with it.