QuestionI have a 56 Packard and would like to know what the vin number tells about the car. # 5672A-1127, paint - ML, Trim - 41
thanks for your help.
Bob Miller
AnswerAn easy one for a change! Your car is a 56 Executive 4 door sedan, with push button shifter, automatic leveling, a 352 Cu In V8 engine with 4 Bbl carburetor and 275 HP, painted white over aqua, with gray cloth and black cloth interior.
That same VIN should be stamped on the top of the engine block, just to the driver's side of the oil fill pipe, if the car still has the original engine. Some of the last cars built did not have this stamped number on the block, however, but if it has a different number stamped there, the engine has been changed.
There were 1784 of this model made in Packard's last year of production of large cars - which makes this a rather rare car.
There was a modified Studebaker made in South Bend in 1957 and 1958 which had Packard Clipper trim and nameplates on it, but it was a much smaller and less well equipped car.
The Executive was a one year only model, made up of the Clipper body, engine and running gear, but with the senior Packard grille and some trim - it was a sort of last gasp, as the company was in dire straits at this point, and desperate to move some cars. This is not to say it's a bad car - they are very nice cars to drive, as they ride much better than any other mid 50s car, and will keep up with modern traffic very well. The brakes and handling are not up to modern standards, however, so be careful to leave space around the car in traffic!
Dick Benjamin (the man who owns one)
