West Coast Classics are proud to present an absolutely exceptional and superb daily driving and completely rust free and mostly all original example of this 1956 Packard 400 2 Door Hardtop with the 'Senior' 374 CID (same engine as the Caribbean) 9 main bearing straight 8 cylinder engine with a 'Carter' 4 BBL carburetor and the 'Ultramatic Drive' automatic transmission and a car which has reportedly only had two California owners since new, with most recent owner for over 30 years being a renown collector and long time member of both Packard's 'International & The Packard Club' and with reportedly 40K original miles from new, in original exclusive Packard series two-tone colors and with its all original 'Black & White' vinyl & cloth (Trim code 85) interior and trim and loaded with factory options including:
Air Conditioning
Heater & Defroster ($80)
AM Radio with Power Antenna ($102)
Signal Seeking Radio ($125)
Solex Tinted Glass ($45)
4-Way Power Seat ($70)
Power Windows ($108)
Power Steering ($115)
Power Brakes
Rear Fender Skirts
White sidewall tires
Full Wheel Covers
Deep pile carpeting
Electric clock
Stainless full length bodyside moldings
Front & Rear window surround moldings
Hood ornament
Rocker Panel Moldings,
This car is truly exceptional in every sense of the word, and as previously stated owned for over 30 years by a California Packard enthusiast & experienced & informed Club member and a car with only some gentle 40K miles since new. Starting with a beautiful and razor straight 'Briggs' matching body; #1 of only 3,224 built in 1956, and what must be the finest looking and the most mechanically sound example available. The result is that the new owner will have nothing short of one of the finest driving Senior Packard's possible with a beautiful and highly striking against the chrome classic and two-tone color paint and with a gorgeous all original interior! Reportedly never seen rain and quite obviously always garaged. In summary this is a truly unique and superb example of a 1956 Packard 400 2 Door Hardtop, beautifully preserved with the finest attention to detail.
The 1956 'Senior' Packard 2 Door 400 374 V8 Hardtop was one of the highest priced cars of its day - and with good reason - under the hood was the larger 374 CID V8 engine which was introduced as standard equipment on only the top-of-the-line 400, Patrician and Caribbean models. Also keeping up with the trendsetters Packard introduced a revised 'Ultramatic Drive' automatic transmission with a new electronic pushbutton gear selection system. This electronic system was some two model years ahead of the Edsel's highly publicized electronic system introduced in 1958 and the other manufacturers of the time such as Chrysler which utilized a mechanical pushbutton gear selector. The all new appearance of the '56 interior distinguished it as the most luxurious seen in postwar Packards with these 'senior' Packards gaining a wide range of colors and fabrics, created in vivid two-tone combinations and in a variety of leathers, jacquards and fabrics.
Packard was one of the original and greatest of all the American marques, having been one of the industry's pioneers and having built it's very first cars as early as 1899, and which went on to build some of the world's finest cars ever, surviving two world wars, numerous recessions and one great depression until eventually, as any true enthusiast will attest, and although no-one would know at the time, the last real Packards were finally to be built in 1956, after which the car's were no longer built in the legendary Detroit, MI plant and the now 'Studebaker-Packard' marque's decline had sadly begun. But until 1956 these cars had bristled with the latest in modern appointments and had few rivals in the luxury market making owning one only for the very privileged elite.
The 374 CID V8 engine is extremely strong and powerful and sounds absolutely magnificent and this particular car drives absolutely magnificently - must be driven to be believed - does not miss a beat and purrs like a kitten - a truly remarkable daily driver that will give any modern day car a run for it's money! The transmission shifts smoothly through the gears and the car has four good radial white sidewall tires and its original factory wheel covers!
This is a rare opportunity to own a simply stunning example of a beautiful and exceptionally well preserved 1956 Packard 400 2 Door Hardtop ready for the serious Packard enthusiast or collector to enjoy and show today. Few more correct or finer looking or indeed driving examples can possibly be available anywhere else!
