1946 Packard Custom Super Clipper Eight Extended Wheelbase Limousine

The Custom Super Clipper Eight Limousine was the largest and most luxurious Packard of the 21st Series. Its pre-war styling remained mostly unchanged, although designers and engineers were able to incorporate some of the refinements made possibly by newfound knowledge from the company's wartime manufacturing efforts. During the war, they produced over 13,000 12-cylinder marine engines and over 56,000 license-built Rolls Royce Merlins designated the Packard V-1650. These supercharged V-12 aircraft engines powered the North American P-51 Mustang along with British Spitfire fighters and Lancaster bombers.

This Packard rests atop the 148-inch wheelbase extended chassis and its 356 cubic-inch straight-eight engine was factory-rated for 165 horsepower at 3,600 RPM. It has a nin-bearing crankshaft and hydraulic valve lifters that aid in its near-silent operation. There is a Safe-T-Flex suspension with a fifth shock absorber that quelled side-to-side oscillations.

This Packard previously participated in Antique Automobile Club of America and Classic Car Club of America (CCCA) events as an approved Full Classic. It has been given a comprehensive body-off-frame restoration and engine overhaul. Additional work was performed in 2010.

By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2022