This Packard was purchased in Youngstown, Ohio in 2017 after a road trip with my father. We currently both own a 55’ Packards, of course I own the lowest end “Clipper” And he owns a higher end “Patrican”. But with any car guy we had to add another to the fleet, so we purchase this two door “Panama” (the Clipper but a two door). After two years we finally have the time to start working on this project. I knew that it had a transmission problem and had it currently rebuilt. Not a lot of transmission shops want to work on the ultramatic, but I was able to find mike in Illinois. The Panama has a Packard 320 V8 and power steering. Problems we are working on: leaking power steering system Zero Interior Seats are held on by just sheet metal. Radiator flush And just today broken rear end sway bars . Items checked off: Sparks Plugs Oil change Rebuilt transmission Tires Battery Thanks guy I will keep you updated on the progress. Please feel free to comment anytime. 55 Clipper 55 Patrican 55 Panama (Packard)
Great score gentlemen really looking forward to seeing it finished and on the road. Always been a Packard fan especially 55's & 56's.
Check out PackardInfo.com for help with your 1955 Clipper Super Panama. Lots of Packard experts there willing to share their knowledge and experience.
I think it is a type of Watts Linkage, not a stabilizer bar. It keeps the rear axle assembly from moving side to side on the Torsion Level suspension cars.
Watts linkage has one end fixed to the frame or chassis back to a pivot that has a second bar going to a bracket on the opposite side of the rear axle......essentially does the same job as a Panhard bar but is a more effective way of controlling the side to side sway of a coil sprung rear end........a Watts linkage was not a common setup as its more complicated, ie, expensive than a Panhard bar but more often found on high end/high performance cars...........and I love the colour schemes on these 2 Packards, very tasteful..........andyd
Very cool! Thank you for the education, I love learning something new. 55 Clipper 55 Patrican 55 Panama (Packard)
This Packard should be back on the road today! The Watts Linkage arrived and should be install he in just a bit! Wish us luck that we can get it on the road for the first time in over 20 years. 55 Clipper 55 Patrican 55 Panama (Packard)