1955 Packard 400 Hardtop

edited by David Barth, 3 March 2009.
Courtesy The Automobile Driving Museum in Los Angeles, California, USA.
Photos were taken in January 2009.

Packard's Senior Series models, such as this Four Hundred, the Patrician, and the Caribbean, were designed and priced to compete with Cadillac, Lincoln, and the Chrysler Imperial. Packard introduced a very competitive product in 1955 with its new, powerful V-8 and Torsion Level Suspension.

With president Nance's rush to enter the car in the luxury field, the model experienced some quality control problems and alienated buyers. This, in conjunction with other factors, caused Packard to close its doors in 1958.

Body Style: Four Hundred Hardtop Coupe
Factory Price: $3,390
Production: 7,206 of this model
Weight: 4,250 lbs.
Engine: V-8
Horsepower: 260 at 4,600 rpm
Displacement: 374 cubic inches
Wheelbase: 127 inches
Transmission: Ultramatic Automatic
Brakes: 4 wheel hydraulic