1955 Packard Series 400

The 1955 Packard, the 55th Series, brought many styling changes and a V-8 engine, replacing the former straight eights. Packard had finally entered the modern era with its new overhead valve V8 engine, with hydraulic valve lifters, five main bearings, and a four-barrel carburetor. The 320 cubic-inch version produced 225 horsepower and was used for the Clipper Deluxe and Super Series. The 352 cubic-inch version used for the Clipper and custom and Senior Packard models delivered between 245 and 275 horsepower depending on the configuration. A three-speed manual transmission was standard on all Clippers, and an Ultramatic Drive was optional. Other models received the Ultramatic as standard.

New styling features for 1955 included the full-width grilles with bowed upper bars and 'ship's wheel' center medallions. The front fenders protruded slightly over the headlamps, there was a curved, sweep-around windshield, and the rear of the cars was very similar to the 1954 models.

The Packard Clipper Deluxe and Super Series were the manufacturer's 'entry-level' models for 1955, with prices ranging from $2,590 to $2,775. Above them were the Clipper Custom models, highlighted by the addition of bright chrome work and trim, chrome wheel discs, and fender skirts, with prices ranging from $2,930 for the sedan to $3,075 for the Clipper Constellation Hardtop Sport Coupe.

The Packard Senior Line consisted of the Four-Hundred Hardtop Coupe priced at $4,080, the Caribbean Custom Convertible at $5,930, and the Patrician sedan at $4,040. The Caribbean was by far the most expensive and the most exclusive with just 500 examples built. Both the Four-Hundred and the Patrician were similarly priced, and despite being nearly twice as much as their entry-level siblings, received a similar number of sales, all under 10,000 units. The Four-Hundred hardtop coupe found 7,206 willing buyers while its less-expensive counterpart, the Panama Super found 7,016 buyers. The Patrician Sedan had 9,127 sales while lower-priced body styles - had even fewer individual sales, with the Clipper Deluxe Series sedan accounting for 8,309 sales and the Clipper Super Series having 7,979 sales. The Clipper Custom sedan had 8,708 sales.

The Senior line had a similar front-end design to the Clipper models but used a grid-type insert, and wrap-around parking lamps. They had the sweep-around windshield, all-new rear fenders with cathedral-shaped taillights, and rounded tailfins.

The Four-Hundred two-door hardtop coupe had Packard block letters on the hood, roof medallions, 'Four Hundred' nameplates on the deck and front fenders, gold trunk ornaments, and a modified pelican hood ornament. The entire bodyside featured a large piece of chrome that ran from the front to the back, including over the fender skirts. A three-color paint scheme was accomplished with one color on the roof and under the bottom molding, and a second within the parallel moldings. The third color was used for all other areas.

Standard equipment included the Ultramatic Drive transmission, an oil bath air cleaner, and dual exhaust with reverse flow mufflers and resonators. Many options were offered including power steering, power brakes, heater, power windows, air conditioning, radio, power seat, power antenna, tinted glass, Wonderbar radio, rear window defogger, remote spare tire filler, locking gas cap door, rain vent shapes, and curb feelers. All senior Packards had fender skirts, chrome wheel discs, and rocker moldings.

by Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2020