Clipper was a stand alone make of automobile produced by the Studebaker-Packard Corporation in 1955-1956 for the 1956 model year only. Clipper was aimed at the middle price field of American automobiles which included Dodge, Oldsmobile, and Mercury.
While first used as a an upscale model name beginning in 1941, attempts by Packard (and later Studebaker-Packard Corporation) President James Nance to spin off the Clipper name as a stand alone make began in the early 1950s when the Clipper name was used on Packard's least expensive line of automobiles. Nance believed that as a Packard model, the Packard Clipper was diluting Packard’s standing as a luxury automobile marque.
Clippers began receiving unique trim and rear quarter panels in 1954, and when Packard introduced its heavily redesigned model in 1955, the Clipper retained its older rear sheet metal while receiving two-tone combinations that were unique to its models. For model year 1956, when the Clipper was a stand alone make, the vehicles received new rear sheet metal and tail light treatments. Clipper’s logo was ships wheel. Clippers were sold through Packard dealers and some Studebaker dealers.
Following the closure of Packard's Detroit, Michigan factory in 1956, the Clipper marque was discontinued, although the Clipper name was applied to 1957 Packard's built at Studebaker's South Bend, Indiana factory.
Also see: Packard Clipper
Clipper Models 1956 & Production
- Clipper Deluxe
- Clipper Super
- 4dr Sedan (5,173)
- 2dr Constellation hard-top (3,999)
- Clipper Custom
- 4dr Sedan (2,219)
- 2dr Constellation hard-top (1,466)
Total Clipper production for 1956: 18,572 (excludes exports, if any)
References
- Langworth, Richard (1979). Studebaker, the Postwar Years. Motorbooks International. ISBN 0-87938-058-6.
- Gunnell, John, Editor (1987). The Standard Catalog of American Cars 1946-1975. Kraus Publications. ISBN 0-87341-096-3.
