1953 Packard Clipper Deluxe

In the immediate post-World War II era, Packard resumed automobile production in October 1945, fielding a range of models that were almost unchanged from that on offer for 1942, as did nearly the entire U.S. auto industry. By 1951, the Packard lineup solely consisted of eight-cylinder cars available in four series: 200, 250, 300 and 400. The base 200 Series was renamed 'Cipper' in 1953, reviving a name from the 1940s. Introduced mid-year in April 1941 and manufactured through 1947 (including the Six, Junior Eight, Deluxe Eight, and Super Eight), 'Clipper' became a household name. The top-of-the-line Clipper (Super 8) cost more than and is reported to have outperformed corresponding Cadillacs. Reintroduced in 1953, the Clipper was Packard's bottom-line model through 1956. In its final year, it was considered a standalone make, and not a model of Packard.

The Clipper model was offered in Special and Deluxe variants, equipped with the 288 cubic-inch (4.7 liter) and 327 CID (5.4 liter) engines, respectively.

1953 Packard Clipper
The 1953 Packard Clipper was offered in Clipper Special trim consisting of a sedan, club sedan, and sportster, and the Clipper Deluxe - a four-door sedan and two-door club sedan. The Special came standard with a glovebox light, clock, turn signals, and a 288.6 CID L-head inline eight-cylinder engine. The Deluxe added chrome wheel trim rings, so-called 'fishtails' (fin-shaped rear fendertop chrome blades), and a 327 CID eight.

Styling elements of the Clipper Special and Deluxe included a jet plane hood ornament, bumper guards (front and rear), chrome molding, wraparound and angled front and rear window, and elegantly rounded bodies. Standard equipment included a pair of visors, horns and wipers, a horn ring, and a jack and tools.

The Clipper rested on a 122-inch wheelbase and had an overall length of 213.1 inches. The tires measured 7.60 x 15. The L-head engine powering the Clipper Special Eight had 7.7:1 compression, solid or hydraulic valve lifters, a Carter two-barrel carburetor, five main bearings, and produced 150 horsepower at 4,000 RPM. The Clipper Deluxe Eight was motivated by a 327 cubic-inch engine with 8.0:1 compression, five main bearings, a Carter two-barrel carburetor, and produced 160 horsepower at 3,600 RPM. The transmission was a two-speed Ultramatic automatic. Among the list of optional equipment included Easamatic power brakes, power steering, two-tone paint, fresh air heater and defroster, and tinted Solex glass.

The Clipper Special sedan was priced at $2,590, the two-door club sedan at $2,535, and the Sportster at $2,800. The sedan was the most popular with 23,126 examples built, followed by 6,370 of the club sedan and 3,671 of the sportster.

The Clipper Deluxe sedan was priced at $2,740, and the Club sedan at $2,690. A total of 26,037 examples were sedans and 4,678 were club sedans.

The combined Special and Deluxe total was 63,882 units, approximately the same amount of Packard vehicles produced the previous year. With 89,730 vehicles produced during the 1953 model year, and 81,341 calendar year sales, Packard ranked 14th among automakers in the United States.

Due to mounting company losses, a buyout-merger with Studebaker occurred on October 1, 1954. This drastic move did little to help either company, and Packard's demise was swift, with the final Packard badged automobile rolling off the production line on July 13, 1958.

by Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2024