Vehicle Description
Legendary Packard prestige and luxury made affordable was the 250's
mission in 1951, and as this elegant, sporting convertible
demonstrates, it's just as true today. Only 2572 Series 250
convertibles were built in 1951, making this a rare car with
legendary straight-8 power and undeniable Packard presence.
The all-new 250 was designed to be a low-cost Packard, but
everything's relative, as it still cost as much as a Cadillac in
1951. The styling was conservative as ever, but with a handsome,
rounded look that would serve until 1956 when Packard merged with
Studebaker in a last attempt to stay alive. Wearing
period-appropriate white paint, this handsome convertible has a
look that commands attention beyond your average Fords and Chevys
and when parked next to a comparable Cadillac of the period, you
can see where the money was spent. Bodywork is quite good, with
straight bodywork and good panel alignment, suggesting that this
car, like most Packards, lived an easy life with people who loved
it. The finish is older and perhaps showing a few signs of age, but
like a movie star who is aging gracefully, it would be an insult to
try to make it better. Instead, it has a wonderful all-of-a-piece
look and feel, from the traditional Packard grille up front to the
optional chrome "fins" on the rear fenders.
The interior isn't entirely authentic, but they did work to get the
look right using a combination of pleats and flat panels, and the
upholstery is quite comfortable when the sun is overhead. Matching
red door panels were created at the same time, and there's plenty
of bright trim to make the Packard feel special inside. A big
steering wheel frames three gauges with all the vitals and simple
two-tone faces, as was the fashion in the early '50s. The shifter
controls Packard's "Ultramatic" automatic transmission and
operation feels quite modern, so getting this one out on the road
is easy even for first-timers. The center stack houses the AM radio
(not operational, which isn't surprising) and heater controls,
proving that nothing much has changed in the past six decades. The
upholstery is in very good condition with minimal wear, the carpets
look quite good, and like the exterior, everything looks about the
same age and condition so it's quite a pleasant place to spend some
time. The black canvas convertible top is a new replacement unit,
and it folds easily and seals up well enough to make this a no-fear
car on tour. And there's a giant trunk that's as neatly finished as
the interior and it includes a full-sized spare on a matching wire
wheel.
Packard's bulletproof 327 cubic inch straight-8 is as smooth and
torquey here as you'd expect. Thanks to a freshly rebuilt
carburetor and tune-up, it starts with a muscular 8-cylinder burble
and moves the car with an uncanny ease. The engine bay was
obviously well-detailed when it was restored and shows signs of use
today, but all of the original equipment is intact, from the oil
bath air cleaner to the accessory orange oil filter canister on the
side of the block. The Ultramatic automatic transmission shifts
almost imperceptibly and this car gathers momentum so easily that
you'll often find yourself going 10 MPH faster than you thought.
The underside is clean with no signs that this car ever lived in
the rust belt, and it appears to have a recent reproduction exhaust
system that sounds right. Flashy wide whitewall radials on gorgeous
chrome wire wheels add an expensive upscale look that suits this
Packard just fine.
Hailing from the Truett Cathy collection, this pretty Packard
offers performance and style in equal measure. Call today!