After WWII Packard’s Chief George Christopher promised both his dealers and consumers that production would see a huge increase and the all new post war Packards would be newly designed from the tires on up. Unfortunately Mr. Christopher wasn’t able to keep his promises and the new Packard for the 1948 model year was new looking, but really only skin deep. Head designer at Briggs body company Al Prance took the prewar Clipper design and reworked it trying not to save as many of the old panels as possible, but when he was done the car was completely changed in appearance and the all new “Bathtub” design was created. Mechanically Packards trusty flathead straight eight engines were still used in its super 8 and custom eight models and the chassis design stayed largely the same as its postwar predecessors. By 1950 Packard was ready for another re-design, but even with the 3 year run of this “Bathtub design,” very few Super and Custom Eights were produced in convertible form and they are a rare sight today indeed. Especially rare , there are only 3 known existing custom eight convertibles. These “Bathtub” Packards have really aged well and have come into their own today and have quality and looks that really surpass the normal Ford or GM products that are so much more common today. Also worth noting that the character of Doc Brown in the 1985 film “Back to the Future” drove a yellow 1948 22nd series convertible which makes these even more identifiable with many today.
Offered here is probably one of the most sought after and rarest post war Packards in existence; a 1950 Custom Eight convertible, one of only three in existence today. Originally sold in Massachusetts and then making its way to a great private collection out in California. Still retaining its special Custom Eight chrome trim around the trunk as well as its original Custom Eight egg crate grille in the front and rear. Equipped with its original and larger 160hp 356 cubic inch straight eight engine paired with its original automatic transmission. This car is fully restored finished in black with a red leather and tan cloth interior, an extremely handsome combination especially paired with its period chrome wire wheels. Top of the line and fully loaded, equipped with power windows, power top and power seat this car is really comfortable and a real joy to drive. If you are looking for a really high quality postwar American car than this car should certainly be considered.
