1956 Packard Four Hundred Is a Rare Stunner With a Nice Surprise in the Trunk

The buyout proved to be a mistake due to Studebaker's poor financial situation. With no funding for retooling, Packard closed its Detroit plant in June 1956. The brand continued to sell rebadged and slightly redesigned Studebaker vehicles until 1958, when the Packard name was retired from the market.

These final cars are often called "Packardbakers," and diehard enthusiasts don't consider them true Packards. 1956 is thus considered the final year for true-blue Packard automobiles. The lineup included nameplates like the Caribbean, Patrician, and Four Hundred. The two-tone hardtop you see here is part of that lineage.

Packard sales had dropped to unprecedented figures in 1956, with only 28,835 units delivered. With most of these vehicles in derelict condition nearly 70 years later, 1956 Packards that are still running and driving are hard to find. This Four Hundred is part of a very select group of Packards that still roam the streets in fabulous condition.

Finished in Dover White and Erie Green, a factory-correct color combo, this Packard is a museum-grade classic with next to no flaws. And you would have to look really close to find its imperfections. By the way, the color combo makes this Packard one of only 47 hardtops built like this. That's only 1.5% of the total 1956 production run (3,224 examples).

And while the exterior is gorgeous from every angle, the interior shows Packard still had the means to compete with the big guns in 1956. If you're a fan of three-tone interiors and pastel colors, you'll definitely love this cabin.

Unlike many of its siblings, this Four Hundred still packs its original V8 engine. Packard offered only one drivetrain combo that year: a 374-cubic-inch (6.1-liter) unit paired with a two-speed automatic gearbox. The mill sent 290 horsepower and 405 pound-feet (549 Nm) of torque to the rear wheels. This car was also fitted with the optional, dealer-installed chrome valve covers.

But that's not the only surprise hiding under the shell. The trunk, which is quite spacious, houses a set of 1950s luggage that matches the vehicle's color scheme. Yup, automakers have offered these accessories since automobile production restarted after WW2. In addition to the cool luggage, the trunk is also packed with brochures, some of which appear to be original to the car. You can clearly see this owner is a Packard buff.

All told, it's one of the nicest Packards I've seen in a long time. Perhaps on par with the 1954 Caribbean I discussed a few months ago. Hit the play button below to check it out.