Just Out of the Barn: 1955 Packard Clipper
The Clipper enjoyed a sporadic run at Packard in the 1940s and 1950s. In later years, it was the entry-level product for a car company that had touted luxury. But the Clipper was seen internally as a sales draw from Packard cars that might otherwise attract a Cadillac or Lincoln buyer. This ’55 Clipper Custom is a fresh barn find that we know very little about as the seller has not attempted to start it. Located in Berne, New York, this likely project Packard is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $5,000. Tip finder T.J. comes through again!
By sporadic production of the Clipper nameplate, we mean from 1941-42, then 1946-47, and finally 1953-57. For the 1956 model year, it was considered a standalone product with no Packard branding. The final generation (before and after the Studebaker merger) was from 1953 to 1956 and is considered the last of the line for the make. In 1957-58, all Packard’s were rebadged Studebakers and both dealers and customers stayed away in droves. There would be no Packard automobiles in 1959, ending a tradition that began in 1899.
One of the selling features of the 1955 Clipper Custom was the use of torsion-bar suspension, something that Chrysler would market in later years. Under the hood was a 320 cubic inch V8 which would grow to 356 the following year until Studebaker-Packard sold the Packard engine plant. Though the Clipper was offered in Deluxe and Super trim, the slightly more popular version was the Custom which saw nearly 3,000 assemblies in 1955.
We wish we knew the history of this Packard. We’re told it has 52,000 miles and a sticker on the windshield indicates it was last inspected in 2012. The body and paint look fairly good, although one photo does indicate a little bubbling in a lower portion of the two-tone paint. We assume this should be considered a project as at least the fuel delivery system will need a tune-up as the auto has likely been off the road for 12 years.
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Comments
Holy mackeral! 5000 for this car? It will be gone before you can say Jack Robinson.
Gone in 30 seconds.
Beautiful ride that looks good as a four door. Try as I might I just can’t see these as Cadillac competitors. Just not the same as it’s predicessors.
Nelson,
This was slotted to be competition against the upper levels of Buick and Olds.
Makes better sense.
Very complete car for the asking price.
The bigger engine was a 352, not 356, and in 1956 Studebaker used the 352 in some of their cars until the supply was gone. Also, in some years the low-end Packard was the 200 instead of the Clipper. Fun fact: Packard designed and built their own automatic transmission (the Ultramatic) in-house , unknown among independent car makers.
Packard also pioneered the lockup torque converter and the split-throw crankshaft.
I rebuilt one of those ultramatics, And it was a good design, that clutch inside the torque converter was very impressive.
Terrry,
The Packard V8 was available only in the 1956 Golden Hawk.
Gone but not forgotten, got to be quick with sweethearts like this. Rather than prattle on, I’ll tell you the history, maybe. The guy taking the plate off, it was probably his dads, and he was a kid. The plate looks fairly recent, so I think the car was driven not too long ago. According to the “dustometer”, maybe 10 years. The rest gets kind of fuzzy, but just couldn’t bear to sell the car, and she sat. $5 grand, pfft, PEANUTS, and I only hope someone actually uses the car, rather than it show up here someday with another 0 added. We’ve been over and over Packards demise, and for a future collectible of the brand, this is as nice as it’s going to get. Imagine the ones that haven’t been found. Sounds like job security for BFs staff,, :)
This car may be a “low-end” Packard, but it’s on a par with the day’s Oldsmobile anyway, whereas the senior Packards were supposed to compete with Cadillac or Lincoln of that time. It’s a shame Packard disappeared, because to this day America does not build an ultra-premium car, which Packard was in its early days. Only the Germans and English do.
“Only the Germans and the English”?! Surely you jest…
If it was mine, I’d wash it and triple the asking price!
Ain’t that America, Rich, stick the old man for $10grand.
My grandfather had this car, only in black and red. It was like a limo to a little runt like me. We would sit on the rear bumper and it would lift us up, at least until GP yelled at us for using up the battery. What amazing memories. I’m would adore this car, but have a couple of other projects to finish before I’m in the market. It breaks my heart!
this car does not have the auto torsion-bar! as you can see in photo it would behind the washer water under the fender and it is not there. you had to have the better cars to have it and in 56 the Ex model did have the auto torsion-bar, i had the 4door one of these and it did have auto torsion-bar.
one thing i do not understand with Packard why in 40s and 50s they had so many ugly green cars. i am saying the green was ugly not the cars
Those are 50s colors, very popular with a brands of cars back then
I’ve got a sweet running engine from a 56 Clipper that I’ll give to whoever buys the car, or anybody else that wants it.
he did wash it look at the 2nd photo