For Sale: 1948 Packard Eight in Rogers, Minnesota

This 1948 Packard Eight Station Sedan is an absolutely stunning, award-winning post-war Packard that was the beneficiary of a comprehensive, documented frame-off restoration. Few American automakers came through the Great Depression with their reputation intact, but Packard did. While rival luxury marques folded, Packard found a lifeline in 1935 with the One-Twenty, a smaller, more affordable car that still carried the Packard name and quality. It put the company in competition with Buick and Oldsmobile rather than Cadillac, and the volume it generated kept the Detroit independent alive through the Depression and into World War II. When civilian production resumed after the war, Americans were hungry for something new. Most of the industry, including General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler, kept building warmed-over prewar designs through 1946 and 1947, because new tooling was enormously expensive. Packard saw an opening. Rather than wait, it invested heavily in reworking its prewar Clipper into a fuller, smoother, thoroughly modern shape, and it reached showrooms ahead of the Big Three. The result was Packard's 22nd Series, introduced in August 1947 as the 1948 model. Its slab-sided "flow-through" fenders ran uninterrupted from headlight to taillight beneath a crisp beltline, the hood sat lower and flatter for a longer stance, and a new ox-yoke upper grille sat above a wide, wraparound lower grille. Some critics poked fun at the rounded profile, nicknaming it the "inverted bathtub," but the Fashion Academy of New York disagreed, naming the 1948 Packard its Fashion Car of the Year. New to the lineup that year was the Station Sedan, Packard's take on the woodie wagon. The name was deliberate: "station sedan" sounded more refined than "station wagon," and this was no farm truck. Built on the Packard Eight chassis and powered by the 288-cubic-inch straight-eight, it paired an all-steel body for strength and durability with genuine two-tone wood framing across the doors, window surrounds, and rear tailgate. The long steel roof swept gracefully down to the tail, which looked superb but cost cargo space, and the price sat well above a typical family wagon. That combination of beauty, expense, and limited practicality made the Station Sedan a slow seller. Packard built it from 1948 through 1950, and fewer than 3,900 were produced in total. Today the Packard Station Sedan is one of the most distinctive and collectible woodies of the postwar era, and surviving examples like this one are rarely offered for sale. This particular example comes to us after it was the beneficiary of a meticulous, comprehensive, and documented frame-off restoration that won a National Senior Award from the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA) just a few years ago. Powering this '48 Packard Woody is a 288 cubic inch L-Head inline 8 cylinder engine fed by a single 2 barrel carburetor, together said to have produced 130 horsepower from the factory. The 288 Straight 8 is mated to a 3 speed manual transmission that is shifted via a column-mounted "3-on-the-tree" shifter. Exhaust exits this Packard's smooth-running powerplant via a super quiet single exhaust system that makes for a truly elegant driving experience. Being that this Packard Station Sedan was one of, if not, the most luxurious station wagon of its day, it comes loaded with wonderful options. Both the front and rear bumpers are each equipped with a pair of chrome-plated bumper guards that elevate the exterior look of this award-winning automobile. Additionally, both the driver's side and passenger side sport a chrome side mirror that greatly improves visibility down the sides of this superbly restored Packard when you're squeezing into a tight parking space and while making an occasional lane change on an afternoon cruise. Above the windshield is a body color-matched auxiliary sun visor that not only adds to the look of the car but also helps keep the sun out of your eyes. Riding on a set of wide whitewall tires mounted on steel wheels and accented with full Packard wheel covers and beauty rings, this '48 Packard 8 Station Sedan has a magnificent look. From the grille and door handles, all the way to the front and rear bumpers, the exterior chrome and brightwork is absolutely exquisite, further evidencing the high quality restoration of this gorgeous Packard. Like the brightwork, the craftsmanship that went into the exterior wood paneling is also a major highlight of this incredibly well-restored Packard Eight. In addition to the exceptionally appointed woodwork and brightwork on the exterior of this Packard, the body has been refinished in beautiful Cavalier Maroon paint that completes the strikingly restored outside appearance of this Station Sedan. Like the exterior, the interior of this 1948 Packard Eight Station Sedan was meticulously restored and presents exceptionally well. The front and rear bench seats have been tastefully refreshed with two-tone rich Tan upholstery complemented by distinctive woven seat inserts. The matching stainless-trimmed door panels, complementary saddle tan carpeting, simulated woodgrain dash, and steering wheel all remain in remarkable restored stock condition that adds an unmistakable touch of vintage elegance. Furthermore, the rear cargo compartment has been meticulously refreshed, sporting refinished wood paneling accented with gorgeous stainless steel "no-mar" strips. The driver and front seat passenger are also treated to upholstered sun visors for additional sun protection, with the external radio antenna adjustment knob mounted between them. The driver's compartment features a "Console Key" instrument panel comprised of a 110 MPH speedometer and clock, along with gauges for engine temperature, generator function, oil pressure, and fuel level. The dash is finished off with various lighting controls, heater controls, cigar lighter, a locking glovebox, and a push-button AM radio with integrated speaker. Whether you're buying your very first classic car or station wagon, or you're an established collector seeking to add only the highest quality pieces to your collection, this 1948 Packard Eight Station Sedan would make an excellent choice. Give Ellingson's a call today at 763-428-7337!

*288 Cu. In. L-Head Inline 8
*Single 2 Barrel Carburetor
*3 Speed Manual Transmission
*Factory Rated at 130 Horsepower
*Wide Whitewall Tires w/ Full Packard Wheel Covers
*Comprehensive Documented Frame-Off Restoration
*Recent AACA Senior Award 1st Place Winner
*Refinished in Cavalier Maroon w/ Real Wood Paneling
*Two-Tone Woven Tan Bench Seat Interior w/ Wood Trim
*Push-Button AM Radio & Heater
*Stock "Console Key" Instrument Panel
*Odometer Reads: 298 Miles
If an inaccurate automobile price is inadvertently listed on this Website, Seller reserves the right to NOT honor the erroneous price. All vehicles over 20 years old are sold "mileage exempt."

For more information and a current list of vehicles, call 763-428-7337.