Barn Find Needs TLC/Rare Car/Lots of Chrome/Original Interior

1955 Packard Clipper Constellation

NO TITLE OR VIN PLATE-SOLD ON A BILL OF SALE ONLY

The Clipper was introduced in April 1941, as a mid-model year entry. At the time, it was available only as a four-door sedan. The Clipper name was reintroduced in 1953, for the automaker's lowest-priced lineup. By 1955, the Clipper models were seen as diluting Packard's marketing as a luxury automobile marque. It was named for a type of sailing ship, called a clipper.

Ahoy mates! Here we have a rare Packard Clipper Custom with a 2 tone respray, and plenty of trim chrome delineating the tones of paint. She's gonna need some cosmetic work particularly on the interior but it may be worthwhile given the rarity of this car from this year, and in Custom trim.

Exterior
On the bow we see arched bezeled headlights that utilize the surrounding metal of the front quarters to make their "bat mobile" forms. Just below is a wide chrome trim piece which frames the bottom of the hood, and the top of a vertical ribbed grille, then trim continues around to the front quarters and eventually swoops downward in the mid door. Here more rocker trim takes over, and we see the border to the second color light blue. A big bumper frames the bottom the bow and dual Dagmars stick out on either side. More trim for the rockers that continues around the rear wheel well and to the rear bumper (drivers side piece is missing). Just above where the bottom piece left off in a downward spiral, another piece takes over and heads downward from the door sill to the rear quarter, then quickly heads rearward in a straight line. This is another delineation of two-tone coloring and allowing the dark blue to make its way in from the roof to the tops of the rear quarters and trunk lid. Bringing up the stern are two top rear quarter mounted big red taillights also trimmed in chrome, a badged trunk lid, and a two-tier rear bumper in silver paint. Overall paint quality is dulled, the light blue is a respray, and there appears to be no rust on the exterior surfaces.

Interior
Additional two tone using light and dark blue, and snazzy V chromed trimmings as the borders of these two colors. Doors are rough with chipping paint, a door pull handles that is torn, and some rust in the hinge areas. The dash is original with a mesh chromed metal dash front that dances with the dark blue. Gauges are all original as are controls and radio, and steering wheel. Modern 50's style pattern plaid broadcloth in light and dark green covers the front bench and rear bench. the uppers on the backs of these seats, and the bolsters are making use of light blue crushed velour and piping as their border. Big metal tubs hold the front bench in place next to the floor and sport a ship's helm badge in the corners. Carpet is poor and some areas of the floorboards near the thresholds are showing invasive rust. The headliner is tight, light blue and has chrome trim strips curving through it.

Drivetrain
A 352ci V8 with a single 4-barrel carburetor atop and Twin Ultramatic 2-speed automatic is on back of the 352.

Undercarriage
Plenty of surface rust throughout, and invasive rust on the rockers and this has been filled with expansion foam, but not remediated. This would explain the invasive rust seen on the thresholds above. The X frame remains strong as do the floorpans underneath, and torsion bar in front and torque level suspension can be seen. Also noted are power drum brakes all around.

Drive-Ability
We could start this engine, but it only ran on ether, so we had to postpone the test drive.

A barn find if you will, but given the rarity of this car, a worthwhile endeavor to bring it back. Unique styling, the upper level of trimmings in the Custom Clipper option showing off more chrome and a wonderful two-tone dance.

NO TITLE OR VIN PLATE-SOLD ON A BILL OF SALE ONLY

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 500 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.