1956 Packard Patrician. Purchased from Delbert Schroder in Sibley, Iowa, this is what is considered the last "real" Packard, a company that for years had held the distinction of being among the mightiest luxury automakers. The Patrician had minor changes that were mostly cosmetic including the hood bird streamlined to the max. Just below, a crest replaces the letters formerly used with the 55 Series. Front fender headlamp brows are extended forward, increasing the appearance of overall length. Grille is restyled with larger openings, backed up by a mesh panel that was initially made of chrome-plated steel, but Packard quickly switched to a gold-anodized aluminum material to keep up with Cadillac. Front bumper guards are moved outboard, air opening in lower valence is enlarged and also includes a mesh panel. Ribbed stainless side trim (aka - Reynolds Wrap) is extended all the way to the taillight. New gas door molding features a concealed finger cove. Window finish moldings are eliminated from top of sedan doors and center pillars in favor of a wider molding for the roof drip rail. Brushed stainless side roof trim and corresponding sheet metal gusset allow for a more streamlined roof pillar & former circle-vee ornament was replaced with a crest here. Fender skirts and lower body moldings are standard. Trunk lid is squared off, and circle-vee ornamentation replaces former trunk handle. V-shaped ornaments on taillights were replaced by a hexagonal red reflex. All exterior script plates are now gold-plated. New electric door locks were available with electric (power) window lifts, but on sedans only. Torsion-Level suspension becomes standard equipment in May of 1956. This car runs, powered by Packard's 374ci 290 horsepower engine and it drives nicely but will need brakes.