Beautiful frame-on restoration. 356 cubic inch straight-8, 3-speed with overdrive. Stunning fresh interior. Top-of-the-line Packard at a very reasonable price.
The Custom Eight was the top-of-the-line model in 1948, sitting on a long 127-inch wheelbase and powered by what is arguably Packard’s best engine, the 356 cubic inch straight-8 introduced in 1940. Finished in black, it looks expensive from any angle and the high-gloss paint seems appropriate on a car that cost almost as much as a house in 1948. This particular car was treated to a quality frame-on restoration about six years ago, and that included a full cosmetic makeover that results in a glittering 4-door that whispers to you about a forgotten age. The clean, straight bodywork strongly suggests that this was never a rusty car and all four doors open and close with a solidity that is hard to describe but very impressive in person. The two-way hood opens from either side and fits quite well and the long strips of chrome along the rocker panels don’t permit any carelessness with final assembly, and you can see that they line up just right. And speaking of chrome it appears that most of the bright trim on the car was restored at the same time, from the traditional Packard “eggcrate” grille to the matching tail panel out back. This car shows many signs of considerable investment in its cosmetics.
Likewise, the beautiful brown broadcloth interior was fully restored and it’s simply stunning. The button-tufted patterns are correct, offering pleasing details without being too ornamental, and the contrasting white piping adds definition. You’ll note the door panels were accurately reproduced as well and the carpets are new throughout. Garnish moldings and the dashboard were all refinished with correct woodgraining and that big, ornate steering wheel was re-cast in correct cream-colored plastic. Gold-faced instruments are fully functional save for the clock. The original radio powers up and hums but does not pull in any stations, which isn’t unusual for radios of this period, but it does have a neat look. In back, there’s massive legroom and more ornate moldings and bright chrome details, along with a fold-down armrest that makes it feel almost sinful to be there. The large trunk is equally well-appointed, offering matching tan carpets and a full-sized spare with jack assembly.
With the demise of the Twelve in 1940, Packard introduced a new 356 cubic inch straight-8 powerplant that was more than a match for the biggest engines of the 1930s. With nine main bearings, it’s impossibly smooth and with legendary Packard torque behind it, it moves the biggest cars without effort. We believe this engine was rebuilt when the car was restored, but then it was driven and enjoyed so it shows a few minor signs of use. The Packard Gray engine enamel still looks clean and aside from a few touch ups (that look far more noticeable in our photos with a flash than they do in person) it shows well. A recent tune-up and choke adjustment means it runs well and pulls the big sedan around with real authority. Aside from an electric fuel pump that really isn’t even needed except for priming, it remains completely stock with no questionable modifications. The wiring harness is new, there are proper decals in the usual spots, and the only other item that seems to not belong is the coil, but correct reproductions are readily available.
The three-speed manual transmission shifts so smoothly and effortlessly that we believe it has also been rebuilt. The overdrive is invisible in normal operation, so we just leave it on all the time, and the big car gathers momentum with ease on the road. The undercarriage is largely original (this was a frame-on restoration, remember) but shows no indications of structural rust or other maladies. Recent brake lines and shocks mean that it drives like it should and the single exhaust has a muted 8-cylinder hum that suits the car perfectly. 15-inch steel wheels carry 8.20-15 Firestone wide whites that look great and have lots of life left in them.
We like this car a lot more than we expected to. It’s handsome, powerful, and someone clearly spent a great deal of money restoring it to this level. It is not a show car, but if you want one of the best road cars of the late-40s, you can scarcely do better than a big Packard like this.
For more details and photos, please visit www.HarwoodMotors.com
