1951 Packard 200

Of America's prestige manufacturers during the pre-war era, Packard was the most prolific of the 'Three Ps' (Packard, Peerless, Pierce-Arrow) of upper-crust automobiles. Packard was the only one of the three to emerge from the Depression, largely on the strength of a line of medium-priced cars introduced in 1935. Dramatic new 'Clipper' styling in 1941 bolstered Packard sales, such that the more traditional 'Senior' series were dropped after World War II.

Packard resumed civilian automobile production following World War II with its entry-level Clipper Six, Clipper Standard and Deluxe Eight, the Super Clipper Eight, and the Custom Super Clipper Eight. The Clipper Six employed a 245.3 cubic-inch l-head engine developing 105 horsepower. The Standard and Deluxe Eight had a 282.04 cubic-inch L-head inline-8 with 125 horsepower. The Super and Custom Super Clipper Eight had an inline-8 with 165 horsepower. The Clipper Six, Clipper Standard, and Clipper Deluxe Eight rested on a 120-inch wheelbase, and the Super Clipper Eight had a 127-inch wheelbase. The Custom Super Clipper Eight used either a 127-inch or an extended wheelbase version of 148 inches. Prices ranged from $1,680 to $4,500. The Packard Clipper Six was dropped after 1947.

Most American automobile manufacturers introduced new postwar models with all-new designs between 1948 and 1949. Packard's prewar Clipper was a brand new design, introduced just prior to the onset of World War II, and as a result, the tooling had not been amortized, and Packard was forced to delay its new models until 1951 with its twenty-fourth series. Designed by John Reinhardt, they were fresh and modern, adopting the sleek-sided look that was spreading throughout the industry. The market responded, and sales doubled compared to 1950, the year that Packard slipped behind rival Cadillac in sales.

The all-new 1951 Models, known as the 24th Series, began with the entry-level Packard 200 in Standard and Deluxe trim, the 250, 300, and Patrician 400. The 200 and 200 Deluxe was powered by an inline-8 with a cast-iron block, solid valve lifters, five main bearings, a Carter two-barrel carburetor, had 7.0:1 compression, and delivered 135 horsepower at 3,600 RPM. The 250 and 300 had a 327 cubic-inch inline-8 with 150 horsepower. The range-topping Patrician 400 had a 327 CID inline-8 with nine main bearings, a Carter two-barrel carburetor, and delivered 155 horsepower at 3,600 RPM. An Ultramatic Drive was standard in the Patrician 400s and a $189 optional extra on the other models. With the Ultramatic installed, the Packard 300 received a higher compression setting of 7.8:1 and its horsepower rose to 155 bhp. The Ultramatic in the 200 received a 7.5:1 compression cylinder head and horsepower rose to 138 hp.

The Packard 200 came standard with a three-speed transmission with column shift, four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes, and a suspension system comprised of coil springs in the front and semi-elliptic leaf springs at the back.

The Packard 200 and 250 rested on a 122-inch wheelbase and had a length of 209-inches while the rest of the line used a 127-inch platform with a length of 217.75-inches.

The 24th Series was introduced on August 24th of 1950 wearing styling by John Reinhart. Period sales literature described them as 'Packards, for 1951, are only 5-foot 2-1/2 inches high, for in-the-groove roadability with 'hats on' headroom in front and back. New low bonnets (hoods) and high crown fenders give the outlook of a sports car.'

The Packard 200 was distinguished by a single stripe of chrome across the door and front fenders and a grille described as 'toothless.' The hood carried a low, single-fin mascot. Standard equipment included two sun visors, two variable-speed windshield wipers, bumper guards, jack and tools, twin horns, and horn blow ring. The optional equipment list was extensive, and a few of the items included two-tone finish, foam cushion rear seats, pelican hood ornament, windshield washer, Cloisonne wheel hub shell covers, heater and defroster, signal-seeking radio with electric antenna and rear speaker, whitewall tires, and door edge guards.

The Packard 200 Standard line included a two-door club sedan with seating for six and priced at $2,415. The four-door sedan had a base price of $2,470 and the two-door business coupe listed for $2,300. The Deluxe Line added chrome wheel rings and turn signal indicators. Body styles included the club sedan and sedan, with prices of $2,560 and $2,620 respectively.

The Deluxe line proved the most popular of the 200 series, with 47,052 examples built compared to 24,310 of the Standard line. The combined 71,362 units of the Packard Standard and Deluxe represented approximately seventy-one percent of Packard's total production in 1951.

New president James Nance strategy for success was soon implemented following his arrival in 1952. Nance's plan was to distinguish the entry-level series from the larger Packards, both visually and in prestige. The Clipper name was re-introduced and applied to the least expensive Packards, although his desire for a separate marque name was never fully implemented. Clippers had simple trim, smaller engines, and fewer amenities, while the uppermost Patrician series featured longer wheelbases, more elegant trim and a line of executive sedans by professional car builder Henney Motor Company. Alongside these, Henney was also known for their work in designing commercial and professional vehicles including ambulances and hearses.

by Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2021