1955 Packard Clipper Custom Touring Sedan

Vehicle Description

Up for sale is a nice 1955 Packard Clipper Custom Touring Sedan with Twin Ultramatic automatic transmission and Torsion-Level Suspension factory options. Other options:

• · Easamatic power brakes
• · Power steering
• · Power front seat
• · Power radio antenna
• · Power windshield washer

It’s not a show car but does make a nice daily driver. It runs and drives very well and does 70 mph on the freeway with no problem. I have driven it cross-country on 2 occasions. It doesn’t smoke but does use about 1 quart of oil between oil changes.

NOTE: This car is a real head-turner; it gets honks and thumbs-up everywhere. Always starts a conversation at the gas station.

Little history of the car is known. I purchased it in 2008 from a party in Michigan with approximately 91,500 miles on it. There is no visible rust anywhere on the body and only small areas of surface rust visible on the frame and chassis. The car is located in southern California and has been continually garaged during the time I have owned it. Since acquiring the vehicle, I have:

• · Installed a rebuilt Ultramatic automatic transmission
• · Replaced the single exhaust with a Keppich dual-exhaust system
• · Replaced all brake wheel cylinders, all brake lines, and rebuilt the Easamatic master brake cylinder
• · Replaced interior floor carpet

A number of accessories are in working order: radio, clock, turn lights, headlights, taillights, power brakes, power steering, power front seat, windshield wipers, fuel pump (I installed an electric fuel pump that operates in addition to it).

As you might expect on a 70-year old car, there are some things that don’t work or function correctly. They are: power windshield washer, power radio antenna, brake lights, and interior dome lights. The transmission has a moderate leak and the power steering system has some leakage as well. The Torsion-Level suspension works but the level sensor doesn’t control it correctly. As a result, I installed an override switch below the dashboard to manually control the system and level the car.

The tires have about 10,000 miles on them and are still in great shape. They are Coker Classic size H78-15. Original factory tire size for the car was 7.60x16.

The interior is all original except for the carpet which was replaced about 8 years ago. The front seat needs to be reupholstered. The headliner is original and still intact – see picture.

Paint is very good to excellent; I would give it a 9 on a scale of 1 – 10. There are 2 blemishes, see photos.

Chrome is largely in good shape with 2 rust areas. See photos.

Glass and windows: The front passenger door window has a moderate diagonal crack. The windshield leaked severely – mostly around the top seal. On a recent trip during major rainstorm I had to put silicone sealer completely around the windshield. See photos.

The truck has a new floor liner. There is a spare tire and a complete, functional bumper jack. Also are a few extra parts & accessories I had laying around, including the Packard Parts & Accessories book for 55 & 56 model years. (There is also an owner’s manual in the glove compartment.)

BUYER is responsible for picking up car within 30 calendar days of purchase.