1948 Packard Custom Eight

At the top of Packard's model line for 1948 was the Custom Eight. Known as the 22nd Series, and sold as 1948 and 1949 models (as Packard did not adhere to a model year changeover system), the Packards had a longer hood, wraparound lower grille, simulated front bumper guards, and rounded and streamlined body lines. The Custom Eight had the longest wheelbase (not including the long-wheelbase Super 8 limousine and 7-passenger sedan) and length in the lineup and was powered by the largest and most powerful Packard engine available. Body styles included a sedan, club sedan, and convertible on the 127-inch platform, along with a long-wheelbase 7-passenger Limousine and Sedan. The engine was an L-head, 356 cubic-inch, eight-cylinder powerplant delivering 160 horsepower at 3,600 RPM. The front featured an egg-crate-style grille that was unique to these cars, along with an exclusive lower rear body panel that encased the taillamps with bright metal gridwork. Rear fender skirts were standard and double rocker panel trim strips range the length of the body. Packard models used two hood ornaments this year, the 'Goddess of Speed' and the pelican, with the Custom Eight using the latter. The Victoria Convertible body styles had an all-leather interior, while the closed bodies used cloth and leather combinations. Pricing ranged from $3,700 for the Club Sedan and rose to $4,300 for the Convertible Coupe. The long-wheelbase sedan was priced at $4,700 and the limousine was listed at $4,870.

1948 was the year that Alvan Macauley retired from Packard, having served as Packard president from 1916 to 1938 and chairman from 1938 to 1948. George T. Christopher served as his replacement.

by Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2006

When the Packard Company began automobile production in 1899, it was known as the Ohio Automobile Company. In 1903 the name was changed to the Packard Motor Car Company when it moved from Warren, Ohio to Detroit, Michigan. The move was the result of a majority stock purchase made by investors in the Detroit area.

Packard had sustained a Great Depression and a World War and was still at the forefront of vehicle production. Advances in automotive technology and design were making vehicles more and more exciting each day. During the early forties, Packard decided to compete in a broader market by introducing the Clipper, a vehicle aimed at higher production but lower cost.

The Briggs Manufacturing Company was tasked with building the Clipper bodies. This conclusion was made after the Briggs Manufacturing Company had stated and proven to the Packard Company that they could produce the bodies cheaper than Packard. Production of the bodies began and the price Briggs Manufacturing Company had quoted Packard proved to be too low, so the price was raised leaving Packard with the extra cost. It would have been cheaper for Packard to produce the bodies themselves.

The sales of the Clipper series were very successful, outselling Cadillac and LaSalle. The vehicles were stylish, durable, and elegant. The body of the vehicle had been designed by Howard 'Dutch' Darrin and sat atop the 120 chassis. The Packard 120 was the company's first sub-$1000 car. It was aimed at stimulating sales and increasing production.

The sixteen-valve eight-cylinder engine powering the Clipper was capable of producing 125 horsepower, a rather high figure at the time. The modern body, stylish interior, excellent performance, and Packard quality made the Clipper Series very desirable.

In February of 1942, the United States Government ordered all manufacturers to cease production of automobiles and shift their priorities to war-related efforts. Packard began the production of aircraft and marine engines, ambulances, and military vehicles. More than 60,000 combined engines were produced by the Packard factory during the war.

In 1945 the war had ended and Packard went back to automobile production. They had made $33 million through their engine and military vehicle sales, and $2 million was used to renovate and update their facilities. Packard was in excellent financial condition. Most of the automobile parts that had been created prior to the war were in bad shape. They had been put in storage in order to make space for equipment that was needed to design and build military vehicles. The storage was often subject to the weather and the elements. As a result, much of the equipment and supplies needed to be replaced.

Post WWII Era
When automobile production began, Packard decided to only produce the Clipper Series and abandon the other model lines. For 1946 Packard produced the Clipper Six 2100 and 2103, Super Clipper 2103, and the Custom Super Clipper 2106. The Super Eight and Custom convertibles were added in 1947. In 1949 Packard introduced the 23rd Series Eight and Deluxe Eight.

The Clippers were very unique and innovative for their time. They featured an alarm on the gas tank that would whistle as the fuel was pumped, stopping only when the tank was full. The running boards and door hinges were concealed adding to the smooth appearance of the body. The Clipper Series were also very wide. This not only gave passengers extra interior room but it gave the vehicle stability at speed around the corners. The width was a foot wider than it was tall making it the widest vehicle in production at the time.

For 1948, the Clipper name no longer appeared on the Packards; the models were now known as the Eight Series in Standard, Deluxe, Super, and Custom. Within these groups, there were standard wheelbases, long wheelbases which were mostly reserved for limousines. The standard/deluxe eight-cylinder engine was an L-head unit with a cast-iron block and displaced 288 cubic inches. Horsepower measured 130. The super eight had a 356 cubic-inch eight-cylinder engine and it produced 145 horsepower. The most powerful engine in the Packard lineup for 1948 was the Custom Eight L-head engine which had a 356 cubic-inch displacement and 160 horsepower. The Custom Eight was Packard's luxury line which required this powerful engine to carry its rather large and luxurious body. The rear wheels were given standard fender skirts, giving the car a clean and graceful line from front to rear. The front had an egg-crate-style grille insert design with a vertical cormorant or pelican mascot adorning the front of the hood. The price range in this category began at $3700 and escalated to nearly $4900 for the 4-door Limousine.

The Super Eight sat in between the Standard/Deluxe and the Custom Eight, offering excellent performance and style at a reasonable price.

The Eight Series, with names such as Deluxe, Standard, and Custom would adorn the Packards for many years. Packard had one of the more unique naming schemes for an American car company, with each year representing a new Series and did not follow a model year changeover system.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2007