What engine is in a 1955 Packard?
The 1955 Packard used a 352 cubic-inch overhead-valve V8 engine—the postwar Packard V8 developed within the Studebaker-Packard alliance.
Historical context
During the mid-1950s, Packard operated under the Studebaker-Packard umbrella, adopting a shared platform strategy to keep model lines competitive in a tightening market. The 352 cu in V8 was introduced in the early 1950s and became the standard powerplant for most Packard passenger cars that year, signaling a shift from the older inline engines toward a modern overhead-valve V8 configuration.
Engine specifications
Below are the core specifications commonly associated with the 352 cubic-inch Packard V8 used in 1955 models.
- Displacement: 352 cubic inches (approximately 5.8 liters)
- Configuration: 90-degree overhead-valve V8
- Fuel delivery: carburated, with a standard two-barrel setup and a four-barrel option on higher trims
- Construction: cast-iron block and heads
The 352 V8 was designed to offer smoother, more refined power than the era’s inline engines, and it served as a hallmark of Packard’s postwar modernization efforts, even as the company faced broader industry challenges.
Model integration and impact
In 1955, the V8 powered most Packard passenger models, including the Clipper line and other upscale offerings. The engine’s adoption reflected a broader industry trend toward larger, more versatile V8 powertrains, but Packard’s market position at the time was influenced by corporate restructuring and competition from broader-market brands.
Summary
In short, the 1955 Packard was powered by a 352 cu in overhead-valve V8, a quintessential postwar Packard engine developed under the Studebaker-Packard partnership. This V8 represents the era’s push toward modern V8 power for luxury and mid-range models, even as corporate and market pressures shaped the car’s ultimate reception.
