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Topic starter
16/08/2025 7:18 am
'56 Imperial or Packard?
Be sure to make your selection.
Of course, please “Reply” to share your comments.
If selection is greater than 2 rank them.
Click on the picture to enlarge the image.
John Bono
North Jersey
16/08/2025 7:53 am
I surprised myself and went with the Packard.
Retired in Dunedin, Florida.
16/08/2025 7:57 am
Side by side, the Packard is an elephant compared to the smaller Imperial. With but the exception of those warts on top of the rear fenders, the Imperial is more appealing to me. So IMPERIAL it is!
George Schire
Oakdale, Minnesota
John Napoli reacted
16/08/2025 8:27 am
16/08/2025 9:38 am
The '55 and '56 Imperials are absolutely gorgeous cars and to my eye the unique tail lights enhance their look. The Packard is very nice looking as well but IMHO is no match for the Imperial.
John Napoli and Tony Perrone reacted
16/08/2025 9:38 am
Packard, please.
I was a fan of the full-blooded "Forward Look" of the '57 Chrysler Corp cars so I find the style of the '55-'56 cars a bit disappointing and "old hat" by comparison (though I know some folks actually prefer them to the later big-finned look).
On that basis I rather prefer the styling of the Packard.
Incidentally, George S. described the Packard as an "elephant" compared with the "smaller" Imperial, and in the photos above it does look bigger and bulkier, but I did a quick check on dimensions:
Packard - Length 215" Width 78" Height 62"
Imperial - Length 230" Width 79" Height 61"
Not that that is going to influence anyone's choice, I was just having a nerdy moment.
Graeme.M. Ogg
London U.K.
16/08/2025 10:45 am
Packard please. Friend had a '55 or '56 Imp, didn't care for it.
16/08/2025 12:57 pm
Packard stylists did an amazing job with the '55 - '56 restyle of a 5-year old body. They managed to make Packard's "swan song" look contemporary. But still no match for Chrysler Corp.'s initial "Forward Look" styling! Imperial for me.
Barry Levittan
Long Island, NY
Topic starter
18/08/2025 4:00 am
When I thought about putting this comparison together I was favoring the Imperial until I got to view the two side-by-side. Packard for me.
Gents, thanks for your responses!
John Bono
North Jersey
Moe Parr and Tony Perrone reacted