Vehicle Description
Say the name "Packard" among car guys and you'll get two likely
responses: smiles from the guys who know the name and looks of
bewilderment from the guys who don't. If you're a Packard fan, then
you already realize that cars like this 1950 Packard are very
special machines that drive superbly and offer a level of quality
few other automakers could match. And if you don't know the name
Packard, well, maybe this car will fill in the details for you.
The fastback coupe, or club coupe, body style on this 23rd Series
Packard, is the perfect antidote to the frumpy styling of the
immediate post-war era. Smooth, sleek, and very streamlined, it
offers a glimpse into the future with a handsome period twist.
Accentuating the car's aerodynamic profile with what appears to be
code Y Astral Blue paint, and it's a period-perfect choice that
makes the car look elegant and correct. It's not a show car, but
the reasonably nice paint and good panel fit mean that you'll never
shy away from a show with it and with exemplary road manners,
you'll probably start looking for new shows to attend just so you
have someplace to drive. Restrained use of chrome and stainless was
a hallmark of Packard design, and the brightwork on this car is in
decent shape, perhaps even original. This car also wears
accessories like the windshield visor, driving lights, back-up
light, and bumper guards front and rear.
Luxurious yet conservative interiors were the name of the game for
Packard, and this car sports tan cloth bench seats that have been
reupholstered using modern materials and original patterns, so it's
appropriate-looking and comfortable. The gauges are arranged in two
round pods holding the speedometer and clock, with auxiliary gauges
tucked in between, all visible through the spokes of the very cool
steering wheel. This car is equipped a 3-speed manual transmission
with a column shifter, but with all that straight-8 torque, you
don't really need to do a lot of shifting. Secondary controls are
arrayed under the dash with big ivory-colored knobs and the
original Packard vertical AM radio is still in its original slot,
although it is sadly inoperable. The back seat is spacious enough
for real-sized adults and despite the fastback profile, the trunk
is spacious and includes a full-sized spare tire.
The 288 cubic inch straight-8 engine features nine main bearings
and impeccable smoothness, as you'd expect from the biggest name in
inline eights. It won't win any drag races, but there's a swell of
torque at any speed and the transmission needs only to get into
high gear and stay there, letting the engine's low-RPM grunt do all
the work. The engine paint is almost Packard Green, but the rest
appears stock, including the big air cleaner, downdraft carburetor,
and generator. The exhaust system has a pleasant 8-cylinder hum
that's totally appropriate and it's virtually silent at speed. The
unrestored undercarriage shows off years of clean living with
surface scale and grease, but no glaring issues, suggesting this
car has always been in a warm climate. Stock steel wheels and
hubcaps are surrounded by period-correct L78-15 wide whites.
This Packard represents a lot of car for the money and the
attractive (and somewhat rare) body style certainly helps. Call
today!