Vehicle Description
1946 Packard Super Clipper 8 Limousine
When Packard resumed production after World War II, it debuted its
Twenty-First Series cars, which would be built for 1946 and 1947.
This series included many different models, the top of which is the
Custom Clipper Super 8 Limousine. The car boasted the largest
engine capable of moving down the highway at over 100mph with 7
passengers seated comfortably.
For consignment, a 1946 Packard Super Clipper 8 Limousine. This is
a largely original car with an earlier frame off restoration that
polishes well and has some patina. In 2010 an engine inspection was
performed and all OEM parts were obtained to overhaul the
drivetrain . Full documentation, and invoices are provided and it
holds Milestone Status in the Vintage Motor Car Club of America,
(VMCCA), and is approved a Full Classic by the AACA and Classic Car
Club of America, (CCCA).
Exterior
This regal classic Packard has all the look of the Art Deco period
utilizing plenty of horizontal ribs of chrome trimmings, long
straight steel with well minded gaps, bulbous aero look, fade away
fenders and long hood. The flying swan leads the way and it is
large enough to nearly have this limo take flight! Perfectly
apropos black paint is slightly patinaed and the chrome presents
like new throughout this exterior. A split glass front windscreen
is on this car and like new trimmings are surrounding all the
glass. On the bottom is a wide rocker panel with thin trimmings
which flares slightly outward from the body work. The car has a
148-inch wheelbase and this offers up plenty of interior comfort
space. 4 doors give access to the interior and rounded fenders on
the back melt into a gently and tastefully curved rear trunk. This
limo floats on ultra wide whitewall tires that have chromed dog
dish wheel coverings with a red badge in the center.
Interior
Literally 2 sides of the coin for this interior in that the front
is reserved for the driver and a passenger who sit in a black
leather padded bench seat. This bench shows in deep bolsters and a
smooth back all which sits within a leather covered tub. Art deco
design is reserved for the front door panels which are covered in
black leather with burl faux painted wood grained sills. Some
chrome is framing the armrest and window crank and the actuator is
also chromed and has plenty of ribbing in the style. This burl and
faux straight grained wood continues for the dash which is also
dripping in Art Deco with rectangular horizontal gauges in a
chromed panel with a round sweep speedometer. In the center is a
lineup of chrome thick styled toggles for lighting and climate
controls, as well as more horizontal ribbing in chrome for the
speaker covering. On the passenger's side is another round gauge in
the form of a clock. More burl is in front of the glove box and a
heater is below. The steering wheel is original and equally as
impressive with its cream bakelite rim and 3/4 straight topped
circle horn ring and central gold shield badge. Very clean thick
pile black carpeting is flooding the floor in front. Just aft of
the bench a roll up glass and steel partition is separating the
rear passengers from the front. For the back, the other side of the
coin presents with wonderful tan stitched and padded broadcloth
door panels, more painted burl edges and Art Deco styled levers. 2
thinly padded tan flip chairs rise out of the divider bottom and
present seating for 2, but are nice and wide. When in the down
position, gold carpeting covers these floors and a foot rest
resides in front of the rear bench. This big bench is wonderfully
padded tan broadcloth with cream piping on the edges. Armrests are
in and an ash receptacle is inserted into the broadcloth covered
side panels. A wonderfully preserved cream headliner is above all
the passengers. Definitely the have and have nots for this
interior.
Drivetrain
Under that long hood in a black engine bay resides a green painted
block which specs out at 356ci and is an inline 8 cylinder engine
which is known to be famously smooth running. It has a single
2-barrel carburetor feeding it and in back is a 3-speed manual
transmission with overdrive. A 3.92 rear axle is noted on the back.
Beautifully preserved and running smooth as silk.
Undercarriage
Plenty of steel under here showing some paint chip off and surface
rust although its very light. Independent coil springs are in
front, and leaf springs are on back providing the signature ride
and drum braking is on all 4 corners. A like new exhaust is running
rearward.
Drive-Ability
It's nice to see how the other half lives and my partner in crime
played the driver and I was the bossy rear passenger, keeping the
divider glass open so I could jaw at him the entire time! The car
ran smoothly, shifted with no hesitation, and braking was very
good. The car has no radio, and the clock does not work. Also the
driver's side rear door glass is cracked. All else was just
perfect.
Back in the day there were a select few that could have access to a
car like this and those who did took full advantage of its luxury.
A regal Packard from the immediate post war era which would be a
nice addition to proudly display and garner attention in any
collection of post war finery.
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our
showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just
1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The
website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888)
227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come
see the vehicle in person.