`56 Clipper Super Race Car by Paul Delaney

In the late 1950's, I read a couple of articles about a

1/4 mile straight lines).

Packard Race Car in Hot Rod magazine. Now, admittedly,

Over time a 374 cubic inch "warranty" motor

I have always liked the Packard marquee and particularly

replaced the original 352, with the same standard Hot

fast Packards. I knew then that I wanted a car like that but

Rod treatment. Finally, a bored out 374" motor of about

never dreamed that I would one day have the exact same

420" was tried. Throughout this 3 year period, Chevrolets,

Packard race car. Here is the story of the '56 Clipper Super

Fords, Dodges, Chryslers, Oldsmobiles, Cadillacs and

Race Car.

more, ate Clipper exhaust with regularity.

Purchased new, from Elsner Motors in Salem,

I read about the car in Hot Rod in 1957 and waited

Oregon, by 23 year old Everett Hatch, its only significant

in vain for any news until about 1998, when I decided to

option was a Wonderbar

write a brief history of

radio w/electric antenna.

Hatch and the car for the

The car was equipped

Cormorant Magazine.

with stick/OD and a 4.10

Hatch had been killed in a

rear. It was black exterior

plane crash, but Glen Volz

with blue interior. Hatch

was still operating the

noticed that it was pretty

Salem Speed Shop and he

fast in stock form, winning

provided much info about

most stoplight drags

the car, its owner and the

and gaining a pretty hot

Clipper's whereabouts.

I was ultimately

reputation for the Packard.

able to purchase

Tom Delon, the Packard

Zone manager and the

the vehicle (in very

Trowbridge brothers (racers of a Packard powered Fiat

poor shape) and have it brought East, to Ross Miller's

Speedwell Garage in Parkton, Md. It was a sad sight but

Topolino) encouraged Hatch with parts and advice and

Ross brought it back to life in as "period correct" a fashion

he and his boss at his part time job, Glen Volz, owner of

as was possible. Its first show was the PAC National in

the Salem Speed Shop, prepared the drag racing Packard

that became the stuff of legend in no time flat (about 14

Des Moines and it garnered a 1st Place in its class and got

far and away the most attention of any car in the Packard

seconds, if you're counting).

parking lot. It currently has a 374" engine that closely

Improvements included an Isky cam, solid lifters,

approximates the second Hatch/Volz version. It is very

stronger, doubled valve springs, two 4bbl carbs, magneto

tractable on the street and, yes, it is quite fast.

ignition, lightened flywheel, Willys truck rear (4.88) and

Thanks to Bill, Helen and I made our way to Des

the usual porting, polishing, etc. The immediate result was

Moines in his Chrysler Aspen tow car. A real fine service

a car that beat all comers from its first appearances and

vehicle with all the comforts of home and Mr. J. is an

for several years thereafter. Hot Rod Magazine featured

experienced, top notch tower. Des Moines, in particular,

the car several times in articles by Peter Sukalac. "Beware

and Iowa, in general, are beautiful. Probably it is the

this Clipper!," became a byword in Pacific Northwest and

prettiest part of the Midwest.

Northern California drag racing circles (ok,ok...not circles,

These folks do first-class

powder coating.

They are just off Liberty Rd.,

MD 26, about 5 miles west of

MD 32, and 1 mile east

of MD 97.

Please mention to them that

you saw their ad in the

HEXAGON!