Packard Executive

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Packard
Packard Executive Hardtop Model 5677 (1956)
Packard Executive Hardtop Model 5677 (1956)
Executive
Production period: 03 / 1956-06 / 1956
Class : upper middle class
Body versions : Limousine , coupe
Engines: Otto engine :
5.8 liters (205 kW)
Length: 5460 mm
Width: 1981 mm
Height: 1567-1579 mm
Wheelbase : 3099 mm
Empty weight : approx. 1950 kg
Previous model Clipper Custom
Packard Cavalier
successor Packard Clipper

The Packard Executive was the last car model developed and built in Detroit by the Packard-Clipper division of the US automobile manufacturer Studebaker-Packard , which was presented in 1956. The vehicles introduced in April 1956 should be located above the Clipper automobiles, which were not sold under the Packard brand, and represent the largest model range.

Due to the limited financial possibilities, the Executive was created by combining the chassis and taillights of the Clipper with the front view of the large Packard models. Although the result bears the Packard name, it does not belong to the large series. The vehicle's wheelbase is 3099 mm (122 inches) and its V8 engine has a displacement of 5,768 cm³ and develops 202 kW (275 bhp).

From the outside, the Executive also differs from the Clipper in its two-tone paintwork. There are two straight parallel chrome strips along the entire side of the vehicle, with the upper one corresponding to that of the clipper. The area between the two strips and the roof are painted in an alternative color. The rear view including the taillights and interior correspond to the Clipper except for the emblems. Clipper and Packard have the same dashboard layout , but differ in details - displays and switches from the Clipper, upholstery of the dashboard and emblems from Packard.

The front corresponds to that of the larger Packard Patrician and Four Hundred

The Executive has its own series designation, 5670. It was available as a two-door hardtop coupé (no. 5677) and a four-door touring sedan (no. 5672). This only made sense because of the introduction of the separate Clipper brand. So the Executive became the entry-level model for Packard, intended - according to Packard advertising - for the "young man on his way up". Of course, the main purpose of this model was to provide a Packard alternative to dealers angry about the introduction of the Clipper brand. Packard's dwindling market share and the company's poor financial condition made the executive less attractive.

An Executive Hardtop, painted in Jamaican Yellow / Corsican Black, with the 6138 cm³ (374 ci) V8 of the Caribbean (Rochester 4x2 carburetor system, 314 SAE PS, 231 kW) and a manual three-speed gearbox was delivered for a member of the management . That should have been the fastest Packard of this year.

The Executive was the only model that Packard introduced during the current model year. Only 2815 copies were made in the shortened model year, which actually lasted only three months. 1031 of them were hardtop coupes. When the Executive appeared, the Clipper Custom (# 5660) was discontinued.

When Studebaker-Packard closed the Packard plant in Detroit in the summer of 1956, the company discontinued all Packard models. When production started again in South Bend for the 1957 model year in the fall of 1956, the Packard Clipper , derived from the Studebaker President , was named.

Technical specifications

The flank is independent
  • 5677 hardtop, two-door; US $ 3560
  • 5672 Touring Sedan, four-door: US $ 3,465

engine

29.37 tax PS (CH), 8 cylinders in V (90 °), bore × stroke 101.6 × 88.9 mm (6,200 × 5,425 in), 5773 cm³ (352 ci), compression 9.5: 1 , overhead valves , chain-driven central camshaft , with tappets , bumpers and rocker arms , oil filter in shunt, oil content 4.7 liters, 1 quadruple downdraft carburetor Rochester 4GC , double exhaust system, mechanical fuel pump, oil bath air filter, champion H 10 spark plugs, car electrical system Lite 12V (negative), dynamo 430 W, battery 60 Ah, water cooling (pump, thermostat, closed circuit), cooler content 25 liters

transmission

The rear end corresponds to that of the Clipper except for the logo and lettering. The lettering of the Executive is chrome-plated, those of the other Packard are gold-plated.

Three-speed manual transmission with gearshift lever dashboard; optional Warner - overdrive to 3rd gear

Packard Twin Ultramatic (optional): Hydraulic torque converter and 2-speed planetary gear , additional friction clutch for direct gear, Push-Button Selector (optional, US $ 52) with NLHPRD positions. Reduction 2.41: 1

Chassis with torsion level ride

Torsion Level Ride was technically an option, but there are no known Executive with conventional suspension. Packard stopped installing such suspensions during the model year.

Box frame with cross beam, front independent suspension with two triangular wishbones of unequal length , rear rigid axle with trailing arms , connection of the front and rear suspension elements by longitudinal torsion bars, additional adjustable torsion suspension on the rear axle with electric motor control, front and rear curve stabilizers , front and rear hydraulic telescopic shock absorbers , total length of torsion bars 7,925 m (26 ft.); Tires 7.60-15

steering

This Executive has the padded dashboard, push button controls for the automatic transmission and the Wonderbar radio with automatic station search.

Standard Gemmer with auger and roller, optional Monroe or Auto-Lite power steering

Brakes

Hydraulically operated service brake; optional Bendix TreadleVac vacuum brake aid. Four drum brakes, total braking area 1237 cm²; Handbrake acting mechanically on the rear wheels

Rear axle ratios

  • Standard 3.90: 1
  • USA, performance 3.07: 1
  • USA, optional, Economy 2.87: 1
  • Twin Ultramatic 3.23: 1
  • Overdrive 3.90: 1

Dimensions

mm inch
length 5460 215.2
width 1981 78.0
Height (sedan) 1579 62.0
Height (hardtop) 1567 61.7
wheelbase 3099 122.0
Front track 1516 59.7
Back track 1524 60.0
  • Tank capacity: 76 liters (20 gallons)

Basic equipment

352 ci-V8 engine, Twin Ultramatic ($ 199 in all Clipper), Torsion Level Ride (up to May 1st optional $ 150), "Easamatic" servo brakes, adjustable, glare-free interior mirror, padded dashboard, speedometer with mileage counter, el. Clock, Convenience Group (2 reversing lights, trunk lighting with pull-out cable, window shower TRICO "Mag-Nu-Matic"), air filter (oil bath), oil filter, double exhaust system, deluxe hood ornament "Kormoran", full chrome hubcaps, rear wheel cover (fender skirts) , Brake light (only in conjunction with "Push Button Selector"; in the housing of the selector lever quadrant on the steering column), 4 ashtrays (2 each at the front and rear), lockable, illuminated glove compartment.

Special equipment

Push button selector ; Push button operation for the automatic transmission. Electric servomotors on the gearbox are controlled via the buttons.
  • Power steering, US $ 115
  • Twin traction limited slip differential
  • Push Button Selector (electronic operation of the automatic at the push of a button; console on the steering column), US $ 52
  • Central locking (four-door sedan, only with electric windows)
  • electric window regulator, US $ 70
  • el. 4-way seat adjustment US $ 70
  • Solex (tinted windows)
  • Solex (tinted windows); Graduated windshield, US $ 46.20
  • Manual antenna radio, US $ 103
  • Radio with el. Antenna
  • Wonderbar radio with automatic station search and electronic antenna
  • Additional speakers in the rear shelf
  • Wonderbar radio with automatic station search, additional loudspeakers and two electric antennas on the rear fender, US $ 135
  • Heating / defroster
  • Air conditioning with heater / defroster, $ 647
  • Blower for rear window
  • Auxiliary heating under the front bench (only with air conditioning), US $ 46
  • Illuminated make-up mirror
  • Cup holder
  • Lockable fuel filler flap
  • chrome-plated cylinder head covers
  • Two-tone paint

The Push Button Selector and the Wonderbar radio with automatic station search were built by AC Delco for Packard. The latter was later also used by other manufacturers.

Special equipment, installation by authorized dealers

According to the Packard Accessory Booklet , the authorized workshop also delivered and installed unusual and in some cases very modern accessories:

  • Whitewall tires, US $ 33 in exchange for original tires
  • Fog lamps
  • Spoked wheel caps
  • Searchlight with wing mirror, US $ 28.50
  • Luster Seal (paint sealant)
  • Traffic light viewfinder ; Optical device for recognizing high hanging traffic lights
  • License plate frame, chrome
  • Door edge protection, chrome
  • Chrome steel rain gutters (Touring Sedan only)
  • Curb feelers (edging sensor)
  • Clip-on pet covers
  • air mattress
  • Blind cover for radio opening

Market position

Upper middle class; Competitive model to Oldsmobile 98, Buick Century / Roadmaster and Chrysler New Yorker.

Production numbers

  • 1031 Executive 2dr hard top
  • 1784 Executive 4dr Sedan

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b Dawes: Postwar Packards p. 186
  2. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k Automobil Revue, catalog number 1956 ; Data from the identical Clipper Custom
  3. ↑ a b c d e f g h 1956 Packard Executive Brochure
  4. ↑ a b Dawes: Postwar Packards p. 187

literature

Literature on Packard; Heavyweight post-war period (1946–1958)

  • Beverly Rae Kimes (Ed.): Packard, a history of the motor car and the company. Princeton Publ., Princeton 1978, ISBN 0-915038-11-0 .
  • RM Clarke (Ed.): Packard Gold Portfolio 1946-1958 ; Motorbooks International, ISBN 1-870642-19-8 (English)
  • Dennis Adler: Packard. Motorbooks Classics, 2004, ISBN 0-7603-1928-6 .
  • George H. Dammann, James A. Wren: Packard. Motorbooks International, Crestline Series, Osceola WI, ISBN 0-7603-0104-2 .
  • James A. Ward: The Fall of the Packard Motor Car Company. University Press, 1995, ISBN 0-8047-2457-1 .
  • Robert E. Turnquist: The Packard Story (The Car and the Company). AS Barnes & Co., New York 1965.
  • Mark A. Patrick (Ed.): Packard Motor Cars 1946-1958 Photo Archive. Iconographix, Osceola WI 1996, ISBN 1-882256-45-X .
  • Nathaniel D. Dawes: The Packard: 1942–1962. AS Barnes & Co., Cranbury NJ 1975, ISBN 0-498-01353-7 .

Factory documents

  • Packard-Clipper Division, Studebaker-Packard Corporation, The NEW '56 Clipper with Torsion-Level Ride , Studebaker-Packard Corporation (1956)
  • Packard-Clipper Division, Studebaker-Packard Corporation, Clipper dealer sales agreement , Studebaker-Packard Corporation (1956), Forms 80-698 & 59
  • Schwieder, WE (Packard): The New Packard V-8 Engine (PDF; 10.5 MB), SAE Paper 560020 (No. 479)

Contemporary press reports

  • Packard 1956 , Automobil Revue of October 26, 1955 (before the Executive was launched)

Retrospective posts

  • Richard M. Langworth: Triumph and Tragedy: The Last Real Packards. In: Collectible Automobile. September 1984 edition, ISSN  0742-812X , pp. 6-25.

Supplementary literature

  • Automobil Revue, catalog number 1956
  • Richard M. Langworth: Triumph and Tragedy: The Last Real Packards. In: Collectible Automobile. September 1984 edition, ISSN  0742-812X , pp. 6-25.
  • Robert B. Marvin: The Packard Identification Guide Volume One. 2nd Edition. R-Mac Publications, 1990.
  • Encyclopedia of American Cars from 1930. Consumer's Guide, Publications International, 1993, ISBN 0-7853-0175-5 .
  • Gunnell, John (Ed.): The Standard Catalog of American Cars 1946-1975. Krause Publications, 1987, ISBN 0-87341-096-3 .
  • Tad Burness: American Car Spotter's Guide, 1940-65. Motorbooks International, ISBN 0-87938-057-8 .
  • G. Marshall Naul, R. Perry Zavitz (Eds.): The Specification Book For US Cars 1930-1969. Motorbooks International, 1980, ISBN 0-87938-068-3 .
  • Jerry Heasley: The Production Figure Book For US Cars. Motorbooks International, 1977, ISBN 0-87938-042-X .

Web links

Commons : Packard Executive  - collection of pictures, videos and audio files