1956 Packard Executive Line Hardtop Coupe

While Packard had become the premier American luxury automaker during the 1930s, their sales had plummeted by the 1950s. In an effort to compete with the 'big three' auto manufacturers, Packard merged with Studebaker in 1954. Packard introduced the mid-level Executive model in the spring of 1956 with hopes of filling the gap between the entry-level Packard Clipper and the top-of-the-line Packard Caribbean. By August of 1956, with more than 50 percent of the year's total Packard production unsold, operations in Detroit halted. In 1957 and 1958, Packard offered a limited range of models, all produced at the Studebaker plant in South Bend, In based on Studebaker models. Studebaker continued to produce cars until 1966, but the last year of the once prestigious Packard was 1958.

Powering the 1956 Packard Executive line was a 352 cubic-inch V8 offering 240 horsepower. Packard produced 1,784 examples of the 4-door sedan and 1,031 examples of the 2-Door Hardtop Coupe.