This was a face-lift year simply upgrading the 1951-54 bodies and chassis. Much of this was to do with a lack of funds. Packard was struggling and had just three more year left. However, this new styling gave the cars a lovely, fresh look. This resulted in a 90% increase in sales over the previous year. They had certainly done reasonably well with what they had.
We can see how it all came together in this 1955 Packard Clipper Super Panama Hardtop Coupe. The front fenders now formed a hood over the headlights, there was a new, heavier bumper and a new wraparound windshield. At the front there was a new mesh grille on the Clipper.
Clippers had model identification on the front fenders and featured a ships wheel medallion on both the center of the grille and middle of the rear deck. The only Packard identification was found on the right lower corner of the trunk.
Tone-tone paint schemes gave a very distinct look as seen with this beautiful Ultramarine over White example.
1955 saw a new control panel with closely grouped instruments with a metal fascia. The glove compartment is large and centrally located. On this car you can see the optional AM radio – a $102 option.
Packard did have something new for 1955 – they had dumped their straight eight’s and were now offering V8 engines in all their cars. Under the hood there’s a 320 cubic inch V8 producing 225 horsepower paired with a 3-speed manual transmission that came as standard. Also available that year was a, new for ’55, Ultramatic Drive automatic transmission costing an additional $199.
1955 was the first year of the 12 volt electrical system.
Packard sold 7,016 Clipper Panama Super cars for the 1955 model year at a base price of $2,776.
This ’55 Packard Clipper is currently for sale on eBay. (follow the link for even more photos)
I couldn’t get close to that beauty since I would drool on it.