1948 Packard Super Eight

Packard's designers and stylists continued to create new designs during World War II for Packard automobiles, even though they had to wait for the bombs to stop falling before they would see the light of day. Packard's traditional radiator shells with the high, upright, and narrow stance were favored among the stylist, however, management preferred a smoother design similar to those being built by post-war automaker Kaiser-Frazer. As a result, much of the styling for what became the 1948 models were created at Packard's body supplier, Briggs, under chief designer Albert Prance, featuring a rounded and streamlined profile with a shortened, bolder Packard grille.

On July 25th of 1947, Packard introduced its all-new post-war car, the 22nd Series. The first model to enter production was the convertible victoria, Packard's first open car since 1942. The styling was well received and was deemed the Fashion Car of the Year by the Fashion Academy of New York. It was awarded prizes at shows in Caracas, Luzerne, Sofia, and Monte Carlo.

Packard's 1948 model lineup included the Standard Eight, Deluxe Eight, Super Eight, and Custom Eight. The Super Eight was the middle offering and came with an L-head 327 cubic-inch inline eight-cylinder engine with five main bearings, 7.0:1 compression, solid valve lifters, a Carter two-barrel carburetor, and 145 horsepower. It was paired with a three-speed manual transmission with overdrive, and braking was via four-wheel hydraulic drums. The suspension was independent at the front with coil-springs, and the live rear axle had semi-elliptic leaf springs.

Wheelbase sizes measured 120- and 141-inches (standard and long wheelbase configuration). Body styles included a sedan, club sedan, Deluxe Sedan, Limousine, and Deluxe Limousine. The 6-passenger sedan ($2,690) and the 2-door club sedan ($2,665) rested on the 120-inch wheelbase platform, and the 7-passenger sedan ($3300), 7-passenger Deluxe Sedan ($3650), limousine ($3450) and Deluxe Limousine ($3800) used the longer 141-inch wheelbase. The two-door convertible coupe priced at $3,250 used the shorter platform.

Approximately 1,740 examples of the long wheelbase Super Eight were built in 1948 and 12,929 on the standard wheelbase. Additionally, a total of 4,750 examples of the convertible coupe were produced. Total Super Eight production for 1948 was nearly 20,000 units, at 19,419. Approximately 10,986 examples of the Super Eight were produced in 1949, a significant decrease as Packard closed out the 1940s.

The Super Eight models used the 'Goddess of Speed' hood ornament, similar exterior trim to that of the Standard Eights, except the Super Deluxe sedan which was similar to the Deluxe Eight models. Fender skirts and a single rocker panel strip were standard on the Convertible Victoria.

by Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2019