Vehicle Description
Last of the straight-8 Packards. One of 863 built. Older repaint,
new interior, great color combination. Smooth, torquey 359 cubic
inch straight-8 with 4-barrel carb. Automatic, power steering,
power brakes. Nice chrome. A big Packard convertible that's just
right to drive.Only 863 of these handsome Packard ragtops were
built in 1954, and they were essentially the same as the vastly
more expensive Caribbean. The look is conservative by 1950s
standards, but there's still plenty of ornamentation to make it
look like the high-end car it is. The color could safely be called
Packard Cream, a popular choice on pre-war Packards and just as
handsome on this 1950s ragtop. The familiar Packard grille is still
very much in evidence, so nobody will mistake it for anything else,
and it's actually a much bigger car than it appears to be in
photos-a clever trick by the stylists. The paint job is probably 25
years old at this point but it's in good order and shows nicely
with a soft gloss that seems entirely appropriate for a car of this
vintage. There's no evidence of major metal surgery or rot and the
doors swing closed with a reassuring thunk. The bright work is a
combination of original and restored pieces, all of it looking
right at home here with nothing standing out as too nice or too
deteriorated. The famous 'cormorant' hood ornament was an option
and looks appropriate out there leading the way. You also get
bright stainless and a set of vestigial fins out back that show
Packard hadn't quite committed to following trends. From any angle,
however, this is a handsome car.The beautiful red interior has been
recently restored and looks fantastic. Correct patterns give it a
1950s look and the fresh padding makes the seats all-day
comfortable. It also features new carpets with floor mats, new door
panels, and a repainted dash, which matches everything else. We
don't know why they didn't refinish the steering wheel, but it has
no serious cracking or delamination, so that would be an easy
detail to remedy. The gauges are big and easy to read and all
appear to work except the clock, which isn't a surprise. Same with
the original AM radio, which powers up but doesn't make sounds. A
few bright chrome bits brighten things up and yes, the power
windows work although the rear quarter windows sometimes need a
little help due to fresh weather seals that are a little tight.
Overhead there's a tan power convertible top that stows itself
slowly but surely and it looks sleek with a matching red boot
installed. A good-sized trunk shows no rot or other issues and
includes a full-sized spare tire.The big news-literally-is under
the hood where the previous year's 327 cubic inch engine was
replaced by a 359 cubic inch straight-8, the biggest ever fitted to
a Packard motor car. With a 4-barrel carburetor, it makes a rather
stout 212 horsepower, which was near the top of the pecking order
in 1954 and more than enough to make the Packard feel effortless in
everything it does. Dressed in correct Packard Bronze paint with an
oil bath air cleaner, it looks right under the hood and shows signs
of conscientious maintenance, including recent belts and hoses and
a recent tune-up. It starts easily, idles nicely, and has that
smooth Packard straight-8 hum that nobody else was quite able to
replicate. It sounds expensive. Power steering makes this massive
ragtop easy to handle around town and with Packard's rugged
Ultra-Matic automatic transmission, anyone can get in and look like
a million bucks. We don't believe the body has ever been off the
frame, so the undercarriage has 70 years of grime on it, but
there's no sign of rot or structural issues, the body mounts are
good, and the floors are solid. Even the spare tire well is 100%
intact with no perforation. This car was obviously not used in the
snow and salt. It looks like the power steering system has been
recently serviced with a new cylinder and hoses, and the exhaust
system is appropriately muted for a luxury car like this. It
cruises easily at 65 MPH and feels well-assembled, as is frequently
the case with cars that haven't been completely blown apart. Steel
wheels with Packard hubcaps are outfitted with recent 235/75/15
Coker wide whitewall radials.Big, unusual, comfortable, and
elegant, this Packard offers the right enthusiast the opportunity
stand out without making a lot of noise. Essentially the last of
the Packard-engineered Packards, it reminds us why these cars are
cherished by their owners. It's not a perfect car, but it drives
well and offers the kind of quiet elegance that was a cornerstone
of Packard's ethos for decades. If '50s flash is getting a little
tiresome, perhaps this handsome Packard would be a good
alternative. Call today!Harwood Motors always recommends and
welcomes personal or professional inspections of any vehicle in our
inventory prior to purchase.
