The mechanical specifics of the two-speed Ultramatic transmission stand out as a highly unusual detail in this project. The maker has kept the 1954 Packard Clipper in its unrestored state, which presents a fascinating study of preservation versus modification. This light blue four-door sedan shows 37,000 original miles and retains original Quaker State stickers in the door.
The build highlights the commitment to preserving the original driving experience rather than turning the car into a performance vehicle. A key addition is the aluminum radiator, sourced from a 55-59 GMC truck, which the maker fabricated a mount for. The vehicle runs manual steering and manual brakes, and the original engine fan operates without a shroud. The maker has even kept original gear start Ultramatics, though they noted that shifting low to high can smoke the transmission bands according to a service bulletin.
One notable trade-off mentioned by the maker is that the car is very slow when in high range off the starting line. The maker is also noted to be working on some improvised fixes since parts are difficult to acquire. It is worth noting that the original radiator was destroyed by an accidental throttle sticking neutral stop incident. Looking ahead, the maker intends to spend money on restoring the original radiator someday.
This project clearly prioritizes originality, especially given the engine still retains incredibly pronounced crosshatching on the cylinder bores.