1946 Packard Custom Super Clipper Eight

Packard resumed civilian automobile production in October of 1945 using a single body stamping along three different wheelbase lengths. Both six- and eight-cylinder inline engines were used to power the lineup consisting of the Clipper in various configurations and trim levels with body styles of Club Sedan or Touring Sedan. The top-of-the-line model was the Packard Custom Super Clipper Eight, resting on the longest available wheelbase, powered by the largest and most powerful eight-cylinder engine, and outfitted with the richest interior appointments.

The Custom Super Clipper Eight Club Sedan and Touring Sedan shared its 127-inch wheelbase with the Super Clippers, while the 7-passenger sedan and limousine rested on the extended 148-inch wheelbase chassis. The 356 cubic-inch eight-cylinder engine had a nine-bearing crankshaft, silent hydraulic lifters, Carter two-barrel carburetion, and developed 165 horsepower at 3,600 RPM.

Prices for the Club Sedan began at just under $3,000, while the Touring Sedan was listed at $3,050. The total sales for 1946 reached 1,472 for the Custom Super Clipper Eight, plus 1,291 for the long-wheelbase versions.

The Packard Clipper nameplate would cease after 1947 when Packard introduced all-new styling for 1948 with its 22nd Series. (The Clipper name was revived years later as a base-model eight).

During World War II, Packard engines powered allied forces by sea and by air. Over 13,000 Packard 12-cylinder marine engines were produced for fast patrol torpedo, or PT, boats and over 56,000 license-built Rolls Royce Merlins designated the Packard V-1650. The North American P-51 Mustang, British Spitfire, and Lancaster bombers used the supercharged V-12 Packard engines.

Mechancial Specificaiton
The Packard Custom Super Clipper Eight was powered by an inline eight-cylinder, 356 cubic-inch engine with nine main bearings, hydraulic valve lifters, a Carter two-barrel carburetor, a 6.85:1 compression ratio, and delivered 165 horsepower at 3,600 RPM. The transmission was a three-speed manual unit and braking was via four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes. The suspension was independent at the front, while the rear had a live axle and semi-elliptic rear springs.

by Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2020