1956 Packard The Four 400 Hundred Hardtop in White / Green & Ride on My Car Story with Lou Costabile
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- Опубликовано: 26 авг 2024
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On "My Car Story" we're in the Western Suburbs of Chicago IL on 6-30-24.
We're looking at a 1956 Packard The Four 400 Hundred Hardtop in Dover White / Erie Green Paint.
The car comes with the 374 CI V8 engine and an automatic transmission.
The car's Owner is Bruce Grabenkort. Bruce’s had this car since 2016. Bruce shares he had a connection to Packard as his Grandfather had bought Packard’s since the 1930’s. He would remember those fun rides, and when he the money for a “weekend car” he bought a Packard to remember his Grandfather.
ENJOY!
Hi, If you like this video, please click on SUPER THANKS ❤ with the $ in the middle which is the SUPER THANKS button under the video. Thank you! Lou
My former in law grandparents drove Packards! This is a gorgeous example! When my mother in law got a Rolls Royce I took her mom for a ride! She told the old lady next door “it rides like a Packard”.
Hi Jeffrey, Good story :-) Thank you for sharing, Lou
😎Wow, that '56 is beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!🤜🤛
Happy to receive a "Wow" from you :-)
50s Vehicles are pieces of ART, motorized ART. Being 70...I was raised in the 50s and 60s and started driving in late 1970. I remember all these vintage Vehicles on the road then. Loved then since. Owned many....I have appreciation for Detroit creations from the mid 50s to early 70s. Amazing time in motorized ART work.
Joe from Smyrna Delaware
Hi Joe, High praise. :-) Lou
@@loucostabile
Thank you for your classy presentations of Detroit motorized ART.
Joe from Smyrna Delaware
One correction Lou, at least on my 55 constellation, the leveling is done with electric motors driving the torsion bar tension - not hydraulics - the windows are hydraulic and the wipers hence the noise. The 400 was the top of the line-up. 1956 was the last year of genuine Packard production. Not enough of these cars were preserved and saved. They are fast, comfortable and reliable.
A beautiful example - with great colors. These are among the finest Packard ever made , made in very low numbers. This example had a $4100 list and looks like a thousand in accessories. A real survivor - love it !
Hi Alex, Thank you for viewing and sharing your knowledge. Happy to read "love it !" :-) Lou
@@alexkalish8288 Windows are electric
"Top of the line-up", yes, excepting the Caribbean convertible and 2-door hardtop which were even more expensive.
If I start my day off by watching a video on a Packard, I know it’s going to be a good day. Thanks, Lou, for starting my day off right.
Hi MyHumanWreckage, "If I start my day off by watching a video on a Packard, I know it’s going to be a good day." NICE! You're welcome, Lou
Me two!
Classy car with a classy owner given a proper showing by a classy car guy
High praise.
What a beautiful combination of colors and chrome! I love how this Packard is styled inside and out, and what a smooth cruiser, too. Mr. Grabenkort certainly has a fine automobile. Thanks, Lou!
Hi TheGunfighter45acp, "What a beautiful combination of colors and chrome! I love how this Packard is styled inside and out, and what a smooth cruiser, too." I agree 100%. Well said. You're welcome, Lou
Very stately car - definitely of the era.
It’s a shame Packard did not make it.
Thanks Lou for letting us see this beauty.
Hi Jeff, Happy to share this "beauty" with you :-) You're welcome, Lou
I read all the comments Lou, and I was surprised that no one wrote: Packard, "Ask The Man That Owns One!" This was Packard's slogan since 1902. In 1953 Indian Motorcycles went out of business and three years later so did Packard. Sadly, making the best product of anything does not guarantee staying in business. Great Video Lou! Thank-you!
Hi Bob, Thanks for adding the slogan. Appreciate the added knowledge. Happy to read you enjoy the video. You're welcome, Lou
What a nice Packard. These cars had so much detail to take in. Thanks Lou, hope you had a great birthday!
"These cars had so much detail to take in." I agree. You're welcome John! Good day, fun time with no drama :-)
@@loucostabileHappy belated birthday. Appreciate all the work and artistry that go into producing these auto "memory lanes." All of them are gems.
Have a fantastic year! Cheers
Such attention for detail & fine design. 🇺🇸
I agree.
Wow! What a beauty! From design to color combination, this car is stunning! Once again Lou spoils us with such a variety of amazing cars! Thank you, Lou, for sharing!
Hi ultraviolet tp, Happy to receive a "Wow!" from you :-) "From design to color combination, this car is stunning!" I agree. My pleasure sharing with you. You're welcome, Lou
Hi Lou, great looking 400 she’s definitely a gem. I have the book on the Packard’s and it’s probably as thick or thicker than the Bible. It’s an interesting read but tells how the family started in the hardware business actually. Great Video Thank You 🙏
Hi Big Mountain, Happy to share this "gem" with you :-) You're welcome, Lou
My parents bought a new ‘56 Clipper the year I was born…white and black two tone. It allowed the rear seat cushions to turn into a bed, big enough for this baby for the next two years, until they traded it for a ‘58 Baker Coupe…so, until that got traded for a new ‘61 Lark VIII sedan, I had been a Packard boy…had no idea then how lucky I was!
Hi Spencer, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your Parents Packards :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou
Thanks, Lou for the video on the 1956 Packard 400. The oil based air filter was commonly known as the "fry pan". The engine was ahead of its time on technology and easy access oil/filter change. (BMW copied this Packard engine feature). The inside is super elegant and combined with the exterior. The push button complete transmission controls with parking is superior to Chrysler/Plymouth's (sorry Christine). The 1956 Packard 400 hardtop is a fabulous luxury classic made on my birthday year! Congratulations, Bruce!
You're welcome Juan. Thank you for sharing details on the "fry pan". Glad to read you and this car share the same birth year, Lou
Weren't the air filters known as 'batwings'?!
Good morning Lou. I wish the car makers would get back to designing, the car today seem to be from the same cookie cutter and boring. You definitely can't say that about post -war to late 60s cars.
Another work of art to be appreciated...
Thanks for brining them to us and educating us on the history Lou 👍👍
Good morning Pat. Happy to share this "work of art to be appreciated..." to you :-) You're welcome, Lou
I did not know about the Renoylds wrap! Great to see a very knowledgable enthusiast! Amazing car. Thanks for posting this Lou!
Hi Kiff R, I'm learning all the time, and the "Renyolds wrap" was new for me too. I find the learning from the CARetakers is so much fun. You're welcome, Lou
Outstanding vehicle with craftmanship that will never come back......
High praise.
Beautiful Packard they were so unique in every way thanks Lou for this memory and God Bless.
Hi Leroy, Happy to read you enjoy the looks of this Packard :-) You're welcome. Blessings received. God bless you too, Lou
bucket list car for me. so classy. one of the most beautiful dashboards ever.
High praise.
Beautiful specimen. My paternal grandfather always bought Packards. There were times in his life when his car had to be second hand, but it always a Packard. 👍
Hi Chris, Happy to read you enjoy this "Beautiful specimen" :-) Glad to read this car brings back memories of your Grandfathers cars. Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou
Simply gorgeous, I love the colors.
High praise.
🙋♂️ THANKS LOU AND BRUCE FOR SHARING THIS BEAUTIFUL 🤩 PACKARD…LOVE ❤️ ALL THE FEATURES AND HAPPY TO HEAR BRUCE’s STORY 🤗💚💚💚
You're welcome Budget Audiophile Life-long. My pleasure sharing this story with you, Lou
Every American loves Packards
Thank you for sharing.
Very beautiful ❤
:-)
Incredibly Iconic fifties cruiser! Love these old Packards. Built like a tank! 👍😎
Happy to read you "Love these old Packards" :-)
Love these big 1950s classic cars. The chrome and styling is just beautiful. Thanks for showing this beautiful car guys.
Hi Donald the truth seeker, Happy to read "Love these big 1950s classic cars. The chrome and styling is just beautiful." :-) You're welcome, Lou
As I’ve told you before, Lou, the 1956 Packard was the most beautiful ever to me, except for the four door models. This is a wonderful example!!
Hi David, High praise for this car :-) Lou
I can't imagine an owner and their car being more perfect for one another. Hooray for Bruce!
Nice :-)
Wow What a car, another Academy Award Lou! Enjoyed!
Hi Popie, Happy to receive a "Wow" from you :-) Lou
Wow, Bruce's Packard is just fantastic.
I agree.
My dad bought my mom a 1953 Packard Clipper Super in the 1960’s.
It was two tone blue.
My main memory of the car is my dad driving it and showing me how he could steer it with one finger.
Hi wmalden, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your Moms car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou
Packard was a smart looking, solid luxury car that gave driver and passengers a smooth, quiet, comfortable ride. Packard provided just about all the comfort features an owner could want in 1956. In 1956 you could look at a car and know what make, model and year it was, a feature that is gone in today's cars. This Packard is a Beautiful Automobile. This was a wonderful example of what life was like in the era of the 1950's !
Hi Edwin, Happy to read you appreciate this car :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing and I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
Hi, Lou! Bruce's Packard is a real stunner inside and out, especially in this color combo (and all that "Reynolds Wrap")! Why, it even blends perfectly with the tinting of the windows! Looks quite massive, too, with that very elevated beltline. As you said, like a luxury liner! He's found the perfect car to honor his grandfather!
BTW, last year I visited the Packard Museum in Warren, Ohio during our International Station Wagon Club convention. The company was founded there by brothers James and William Packard and George Weiss in 1899 and moved to Detroit in 1903.
Thanks to both of you for this smooth luxury ride...carefully guided by the cormorant, of course! ILL CYA later!
Hi iswc27! Happy to share this "stunner" with you :-) Thank you for sharing your knowledge. My pleasure sharing with you. You're welcome, Lou
Beautiful!
Nice :-)
Way to go Bruce. I knew Lou would find you and this car. The hub caps had me fooled
Hi R Troxel, Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you see many more cars on this RUclips Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
Thanks to Bruce for bringing his wonderful '56 Patrician 400 for this video. The colors and the glitz - inside and out - are pure '50s, and bring us back to our childhood years. Interesting to see the pushbutton pod including 'Park' compared to the '56 Mopars that introduced pushbutton controls on their variety of cars, but without Park, that wouldn't be available until its aluminum TorqueFlite was introduced in '62. I'd love to go for a ride with Bruce in this car to get a feel for how it handles with Packard's torsion bar setup. Great car!
Hi Noel, Happy to read you enjoy this car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou
It is easy to forget about the Kaisers because there were so few of them, but they certainly look like luxury cars. Thank yiou! I love the exhausts!
Hi Jed, Thank you for viewing, sharing, and you're welcome. Lou
Beautiful. We have 4 56 Packards at the Packard Proving Grounds so I really enjoyed this.
Hi Donna, Happy to read you enjoy the looks of this car :-) Four 1956 Packards! NICE! Lou
Absolutely gorgeous Lou. I love the history lessons. I thought the level was for dropping the rear of the car for that low rider look.
My dad told me that guys would put a couple of 100lbs of cinder blocks in the trunk to give it that low look. His brother,my uncle ‘Chip’ did just that to a 57 Olds with the J2 engine.Every time Uncle Chip shifted, the rear bumper would hit the asphalt. 😀
But… this Packard cost more than twice the price of a the top 3 auto makers of the time.
Nearly 50,000 Americans died in Korea. Which put the U.S. in a recession.
Dedicating a model to the top 400 wealthiest families in NYC is a WTF moment. 😖🙄
Thanks Lou, keep m coming!
Hi Cobra Charmer, High praise. Thank you for viewing, sharing, and you're welcome, Lou
You sure have finding some beautiful jewels from the fifties and I love it.
Happy to share this "jewel" with you :-)
Oh Boy, that's one fine old American automobile. Real craftsmanship!
Happy to read you enjoy the craftsmanship on this car :-)
grazie lou what a real classic the '56 packard is and you're right it felt like a time slip back to the mid 1950's on the two lane drive!! ....Happy 4th of July! ...ciao amico
Hi NVC1019, Happy to share this "real classic" with you :-) Lou
The gear selector mechanism is much smoother and easier than I expected. I’ve seen other 1950s car with push button selectors but the operation always seemed like it took a firm shove and was prone to not engaging.
This one is very cool.
Hi Jeff, You're right, the "gear selector" seem on most 1950's cars to be a "hopeful operation" transmission :-) Glad to share this one with you, Lou
@@loucostabile I’m going to use the “hopeful operation” phrase. Thanks!
Gorgeous! Last of the real Packards.
Hi JmzOne, Happy to read you appreciate this car :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing and I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
I had a 48 Packard and drove a 54 Packard,it had the best floating comfortable ride ever,I've had and driven Lincoln's, imperials and cads,to me Packard had the best ride. ..
Hi Barry, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your Packards :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you see many cars on this Channel you enjoy! Please Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
Lou, you were very diplomatic about the Dagmar bumpers. 😂😂😂
:-)
I don't know a lot about Packards and I can't wait to learn something from your great video. Love the look of this one. It must have been obvious to anyone that this was an upsclae car! Great color combinations. Love the interior and dash. I love that it's not a Packard 400. It's Packard. The Four Hundred. I've never seen that before. Thanks for the detailed vid, Lou. You are the best.
Hi Brian, Happy to read you're looking forward to learning something. I enjoy the learning from the CARetakers too. Only Packard "The Four Hundred" I have on the Channel, so glad to read you enjoy the looks of this car :-) I like the looks too. You're welcome, Lou
It's a good looking car inside and outside very sharp and I like how it self levels very fancy for that time period I also like that two-tone color on it
Happy to read you enjoy the looks of this car :-)
Thanks!
Hi David, SUPER THANK YOU FOR THE SUPER THANKS! It's appreciated. You're welcome, Lou
В Радянському Союзі було авто з назвою "Чайка", спереду дуже схожа на цей автомобіль.Дуже цікаво побачити цей Паккард! Дякую!
Hi Сергій, Thanks for sharing this car looks like the Russian car the "Seagull" :-) You're welcome, Lou
Pretty car.
Packard models in 1951-1954 were numbered 200, 300 and the 400 was the Patrician.
In 1955-1956 the numerical '400' was altered to 'The Four Hundred' as the designation for
the hardtop, alluding to membership in the FORBES 400 in order to afford a Senior Packard
Hi Jerry, Happy to read you enjoy this "Pretty car" :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing your knowledge. Hope you see many more cars on this RUclips Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
Another excellent video!
You might compare the Packard 400 to the Chrysler New Yorker 5th Avenue(when Chrysler was still Chrysler).
The self-leveling suspension is accomplished by electric motors adding or reducing twisting force on the torsion bars. Maybe that's where Chrysler got the idea to use torsion bars.
The thorns in the paws of this Packard is first the Ultramatic Drive and second, the pushbutton control of it. The higher end GM cars had the 4-speed HydraMatic and in 1956, Chrysler introduced the 3-speed Torqueflite on the Imperial.
The "H" pushbutton starts and remains in High, like a Buick DynaFlow in "D", except the Packards had lock-up torque converters, so after starting in High, you may feel when the torque converter locks up.
Hi Automated Electronics, Happy to read you enjoy this video :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing your knowledge, Lou
Fine car! Great work, Lou.
Happy to share this one with you James :-)
Pretty much Packard's Swan Song prior to Studebaker merge that ended them both...Bruce has such a CLASSIC Auto...Thanks Lou.
The 1955-56 Packards were built AFTER Packard bought Studebaker in 1954. These were officially made by the Studebaker-Packard Corporation.
Hi CJ Design, Happy to share this "CLASSIC" car with you :-) You're welcome, Lou
@@seanhoward8025 thanks Sean
Wow that’s a wonderful car.
Happy to read you enjoy this car :-)
Hey big bro Lou! WOW. Now that is one helluva refrigerator of a car, man. And a Packard?! WHOA. Can a working class JV baseball guy like me slide in the back, slip off his beat up floppy sneakers and bury his tubesocked baseball stockinged irreverent feet into that thick pile carpet? Huh, Lou? Too late, cause I already did, big bro. WOW...that feels nice, man. Don't tell Bruce, Lou. I am trying NOT to get knocked out in this one lol 🤣😵😵😵. Tricky doe, that lol 🤪. But man...this Packard is sweet. Just beautiful throughout, the dash and instruments are truly like fine jewelry....I could smell the leather and imagine the weight of this tank. My favorite view is the back, the way the exhausts peep though those chrome battering rams. Wild, Lou. Thanks for bringing us this upper crust slice of Manhattan and The Hamptons, circa 1956.....Truman Capote and his swans would love it.....JV Johnny boy ⚾⚾
Hey JV Johnny, Happy to read you enjoy this "sweet" car where you found a back seat for your stocking feet :-) You're welcome, Lou
Very cool car.... I'm still waiting to see the dual four barrel carburetor version of that engine.
Hi Gods own Drunk, Happy to read "Very cool car" :-) If I see the dual four barrel version, you will too :-) Lou
Packard: Precise Perfection For People Propulsion On Any Parkway!
Well said!
For some reason, I confuse this Packard with old Mercury sedans…..I’m a late 60s, and fwd guy, but for sure understand th3 passion for the 55-57 Chevys.
Hi Scott, Thanks for viewing and sharing, Lou
To me, the 1956 Packard is very similar with the MERCURY MONTCLAIRE of 1956. Headlamps, tail lights, two-tone trim. It's all very similar.
Thank you for sharing.
Very nice 😊
Hi Michael, Happy to share this "Very nice" car with you, Lou
Real american car. Powerful.
Hi Юрий Елевсизов, Happy to read you appreciate this "Real American car" :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing and I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
Chrometastic😁
NICE! Well said too.
The Packard Automobile was the American version of the British Rolls-Royce. It is too bad that Packard fell on hard times. Around 1950 Packard merged with Studebaker and became Studebaker-Packard. Not long after 1956 the Packard car was no longer made. Then in the 1960s Studebaker came to an end. All we have left of Packard and Studebaker are historical and classic cars.
Hi David, Thank you for sharing your knowledge. Lou
Nice car 5 stars 😀
Happy to read you enjoy this car :-)
The last all packard designed packard. The merger of studebaker/packard happened in late 55, and they were going to also merge with Nash and Hudson to make the largest auto manufacturer in the United States. Since Stude and Packard were in trouble the merger with nash and Hudson never happened, and it’s too bad. The packard 352 made an under rated 275 hp, and was also used in the 56 studebaker golden hawk. Great engine. Side note the visible v8 model engine was a clone of the packard 352.. the last hoorah from packard designers were gorgeous innovative cars.
Thank you Iowa Budget RC Bashers for sharing your knowledge.
I want one!
Hope you're behind the wheel of the right one for you soon.
Lou this is another great find. When I saw it in the introduction I thought it was a Lincoln. It also had Cadillac cues with the "Dagmars" and the decorative piece midway down the side. There was a brief moment during T&T where you showed the engine and I think it said 310 hp. Was that the hp of this car and did it have a four barrel? I was happy that during the ride you asked how he got into Packards. You also touched on when he found the car at a car show but then the clock caught your eye and you never got back to that part of the story. My only disappointment in this MCS.
Continue finding these rare old cars. It's good to know that there are people who enjoy and are caretakers of these beautiful classic cars.
Bill, Happy to share this "beautiful classic" car with you :-) Lou
I'm surprised this presenter didn't mention the leather wrapped dash and other leather trim installed throughout this one. You don't see that too much in American cars of that vintage.
Hi steeldan dansteely, Thanks for sharing what you notice, Lou
"Ask the man who owns one."
:-)
My dad had a black on black '57 Packard Clipper (Supercharged). He loved it. Put 100k on it and restored like new and gave it to the Ukrainian Catholic Church.
And l thought l was going to get it!!!😅
Hi Island Don, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your Dads car :-) Sad to read you did not get it :-( Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou
@@loucostabile It brought considerably more joy to the hearts of needy parishioners than it ever could to a spoiled punk like myself. That is the kind of selflessness I admire.
heavy and ponderous. it is wonder if moved at any speed.
Hi Bryan, Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you see many more cars on this RUclips Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
Fantastic car and great video as always Lou. Thanks!
At 15:45 the owner, in describing braking issues, says the car has "disc brakes all the way around". Did he mean to say "drum brakes all the way around"? Just asking.
Hi MDavid G, Happy to read you enjoy this "Fantastic car" :-) You're welcome. I'm guessing drums all the way around, however hoping a Viewer with knowledge can share. Lou
"The western suburbs of Illinois" Wouldn't that be Iowa?
Iowa is 323 miles from Chicago, so the Western Burbs would be from Chicago and about 35 miles out :-)
@@loucostabile You're describing the western suburbs of Chicago. I grew up in Melrose Park so I know where they are. I was just trying to make a joke about "suburbs of Illinois"
Torsion-Level is NOT "hydraulic"--it is strictly mechanical (and ingenious).
Hi theatreorganman, Thank you for viewing and sharing your knowledge. Hope you see many more cars on this RUclips Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
I am an oddball as I really like 50’s Packards. Any and all of them. Well, maybe not so much when it comes to the Packard Hawk. I thought I heard the owner during the ride mentioning the car had four wheel disc brakes. Shouldn’t that be four wheel drums? I suspect he misspoke.
Hi Jeff, Happy to read you enjoy the 50's Packards :-) Hmmm, I'm not sure. Hoping a Viewer with knowledge can share. Lou
This is one of the most beautiful luxury car , too bad it the Packard car company went out of business or bankrupt, it would have compete with Cadillac car today.
Happy to read you enjoy the looks of this car :-)
Did it have factory air?
Does not appear to have that.
Check out 56 packard in motion on yourube
Thanks for sharing.
What is the price??
I'm not aware of this car being for sale.
@@loucostabile ok
👍👍👍👍👍❤😂😅.
:-)
Beautiful!
Happy to read you enjoy the looks of this car :-)