The 1956-1957 Packard Clipper was the car that was supposed to mark out Clipper as a brand in itself, despite the fact that the manufacturer was going through a really rough spot that, one year later, would spell the end of the name and leave us with a big empty building that was only recently acquired for development and repurposing.
This particular Clipper is one of the few that still have the factory supercharger fitted and working; apparently, most broke during the cars’ lives and ended up being removed completely. The car’s 4.7-liter V8 engine, with the blower on, was rated at 275 hp when new.
Currently available for purchase in Old Bridge, New Jersey, the owner promises it’s original, unmolested and in excellent running order. The engine was partly built and refurbished, and the paint is acceptable if you don’t want to turn it into a show car (there are some imperfections, he says).
It’s not one of the most desirable Packards ever made, and many will find all sorts of reasons to critique it. The fact of the matter remains that it was one of the last to bear the badge, so for that reason alone, it’s a historically significant automobile.
The starting bid on eBay for the car stands at $9,500. Scroll down for the photos.
By Andrei Nedelea
PHOTO GALLERY
