1953 Packard Clipper Deluxe Club Sedan

Replica of AAA Stock Race Car driven by Cecil Hays in 1953.

Not all Packards were driven to church or to picnics on Sundays when they were new - some went to the race track to be raced! In the early 1950's the American Automobile Association (AAA - the same AAA that is in business today) sponsored automobile racing in the Midwest. AAA even sponsored the Indianapolis 500 Memorial Day race then. These stock car races were not for jalopies or modified race cars, the rules required the race automobiles to be a late model and 'strictly stock' as specified in the manufacturer's brochures. Only a very few modifications were allowed for safety: the rear seat, wheel covers, and mufflers were required to be removed, and beginning in 1953 a roll bar was required. No modifications to the engine, cooling system, drive train, or body were allowed, and stock tires were required to be used.

These well-attended races were held at many race tracks around the country. In 1953 AAA stock car races were held in California, Arizona, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania and at tracks in other states. Most of those tracks were dirt and many were mile-long horse tracks. One of the more popular tracks was at the Milwaukee, Wisconsin Fair Grounds, and in 1953 it was a mile-long oval dirt track. This track was paved in 1954, is still in existence today, and is known simply as the 'Milwaukee Mile'.

Two Packard racers, Cecil Hays and Don O'Dell lived in Blue Island, Illinois (a Chicago suburb) and drove in many AAA races at Milwaukee. O'Dell, who raced a black 1951 Packard 200 Club Sedan (no. 75) was more successful than Hays, winning two races at Milwaukee in 1953, and one in 1954. Hays also raced his 1953 Clipper in 1954. Two other AAA stock car races were also won by Packard's in 1954.

This car was restored as a Replica of Cecil Hay's Triple A stock car racer #87. Triple A sponsored racing in the Midwest. Triple A rules required late-model cars and strictly stock configurations as described in the manufacturer's literature. The only modifications allowed were the removal of the rear seat, wheel covers, and mufflers. Roll bars were added in 1953. No modifications to cooling, drive train, or body was allowed. Also, stock tires had to be used.

Ross Miller Restorations in Parkton, MD restored the car. It was originally owned by Douglass Hayes and is now owned by Rebecca Hayes.

Source - National Packard Museum