1956 Packard Fresh Out of 45 Year Storage!

We take delivery of a 1956 Packard Patrician with only 4,700 original miles after being brought out of storage since 1978 and do a complete service bringing it back to road worthy condition. Initial work required was 4 tires, 4 brake cylinders, battery and fuel pump. Now we service all the fluids, tune, etc. If you would like to see a walkaround, check out our latest upload.
• All Original 1956 Pack...
#packard #barnfinds #automobile #classiccars #vintagecars #classicperformance

[@user-rc5zb9qv3z]

That car is a real gem.

[@classicperformance]

Thanks!!! Hope you check out the rest of the series on the '56

[@classicperformance]

Thank you! It has been an honor and privilege to give the service she deserves. We'll soon hit the open road with her!!

[@T-41]

Thanks for showing this beautiful survivor, the last model year for Detroit built Packards. The 1955 and 1956 Packards had an elegant style, by the very talented Richard Teague . The 374 cu. In V8 was the largest displacement in the industry at the time. The Packard designed and built Ultramatic transmission has a lock-up torque converter , decades before this feature became common. I would have be inclined to flush the cooling system before refilling with new coolant. You probably have a work plan- I would be getting into the brake system, changing the brake hoses, and rebuild the master cylinder and wheel cylinders, drain and check the fuel tank , tires for dry rot, etc. etc.

[@classicperformance]

Thanks! yes, we went through the brake system, new wheel cyls and flex lines, as well as new bias ply Coker tires! About got it, we feel!

[@jack3inflesh]

Very nice clean-up. I have a fully restored 56 Four Hundred with an engine bay that looks identical to yours with the exception of a couple of bolts on the firewall that I just confirmed by looking at yours were painted by mistake. These unrestored originals are invaluable to folks who are trying to get it right!

[@classicperformance]

Thanks, Jack. and yes, often restored cars are over restored simply because it looks better. What I have found over the years, the biggest messy detail of original cars is the glue used to affix weather stripping, it is typically all over the painted surface and surrounding areas of the pieces applied.

[@tombrown1898]

What a beauty! I've never seen one so close to pristine. This might sound a bit odd, but I really like the brick work of your place. I spent the first ten years of my life in the Southeast, and you don't see brick like that anywhere else.

[@classicperformance]

Thanks, Tom. It's a large ranch style house somewhat newish construction 15-years ago and the bricks came from just 25 miles away, so local. Some like it some don't, but the recent trend is to paint them white or light gray. Not going to do that.

[@oldiescoll]

Beautiful car. My father had the exact same car with 50K miles in it. Not too many came out with push button transmission.

[@classicperformance]

Thanks for sharing! I recall the last year of Packard production, 1956 was the only 1-year of the push button pod.

[@drakbar5957]

What a find! Ask the man who owns one.

[@classicperformance]

Thanks! Hard to believe it survived in such great condition for all this time. and yes, "ask the man who owns one".

[@bgibson6082]

I have a 48 packard with 90k + miles. It still starts runs and drives like new. It's 1 of the most reliable vehicles I own, and I drive if every chance I get.

[@classicperformance]

Excellent! and this '56 is proving to be the same! Stay tuned, we'll have much more coming on the '56 Packard!

[@neildickson5394]

I was very disappointed not to see more of this amazing car. 4700 miles, seems unbelievable. Looks like a beautiful color combination. Also appears to have a little of the scourge of 50's cars, the melting padded dash. Nothing matches the great Packard heritage.

[@classicperformance]

@neildickson5394 well, your disappointment will be short lived. Stay tuned and subscribe as we're going to do a full review of this car in a matter of weeks! You won't believe it, I promise. Thanks for your interest!

[@javierlucero1300]

Nice Car

[@classicperformance]

Stay tuned, we will do a full review and drive soon!

[@kenmiddleton9471]

Love the originality of the low mile Packard, and really like the turned dash plate. How are the brakes and tires?

[@classicperformance]

The car had the original bias ply tires on it so they needed to be changed and new preproduction bias ply tires were installed from Coker Tire. The spare is still original and has never been out of the trunk and jack still in the shipping box. 4 new wheel cylinders were added for safety but the original brake shoes still looked like new. in addition, a new fuel pump was added for reliability along with a new battery of course. The carb is still untouched and runs perfectly. That is all that was needed in addition to the general service outlined in the video. Thank you for your interest! We'll be doing much more with this car and a full reveal soon!

[@opera93]

Thanks, oddly Deja vu…..I bought a 1956;FORD Fairlane 4DR/THUNDERBIRD ENGINE/4 BBL/ PS,PB/ Fender Skirts/ Full Wheel/ Dual exh/All white, BLUE VELOUR(?) Deluxe int/ Clock ( not work?), really No, low Mileages::: supposedly **OVER MAINTAINED, in 1966! Big visions of keeping & rebuilding this “”minor Classic””, & unfortunately, freak accident Totalled in few weeks….. Anyways, would have giveen, Anything for PACKARD TO,WORK ON & Keep……!, ( I am from Noble/ Kosciusko Counties in NORTHERN INDIANA!! odd, sadness 50+ years later,.. ).

[@classicperformance]

@@opera93 sorry to hear that and thanks for sharing the story!! Check out our channel for more Packard content.

[@VictorySpeedway]

You started it up before you changed the oil? I wouldn't have done that. I would've changed all the fluids; coolant, transmission fluid, oil, and checked the rear end lubrication. But it's not my car, so carry on.

[@classicperformance]

We pulled the dipstick and had the oil evaluated, warmed up. Passed Muster. From our records, the oil only had about 800 miles on it. The transmission fluid clear and red, no smells, rear end clear as the day it went in. We did change every fluid, rebuilt 4 wheel cyls, flushed gas tank and lines, etc.

[@stevengrotte2987]

ABOUT 200 MILES A YEAR WHEN IT WAS ON THE ROAD! WHY THE LOW MILAGE PER YEAR?

[@classicperformance]

The original owner just did not drive it much and had an older Packard he felt more comfortable driving. It was his Sunday and special event car only per the records that came with the car.

[@vincentconsolo5782]

You didn't service the transmission , the differential , oil bath air cleaner , check the steering fluid , or check the brake system .

[@classicperformance]

Yes, we did all that. The brake system received all new wheel cyls and flex lines. The transmission fluid is still clear as a bell and light pink, hard to even see on the stick. Just tightened up the pan there.

[@marcmenton8063]

Is this car going to be for sale? Thank you in advance

[@classicperformance]

We do not intend to put the car for sale at this time and are just enjoying too much at this time. Thanks for your interest!

[@vincentconsolo5782]

How about tires?

[@classicperformance]

Tire are new bias ply. The spare is still the original US Royal.

[@vincentconsolo5782]

@@classicperformance Coker Tire ?

[@classicperformance]

@@vincentconsolo5782 Yes, and I highly recommend them. They even have a new line of radial tires with the bias ply period look. I have not tried those yet, but will eventually.