1949 Packard Super 8 - $44,900 - Orange Village, OH - Nice older restoration with functioning power windows, top, and seat. Factory overdrive. Rust-free, great driver that’s welcome at almost any event.
This Super 8 Deluxe convertible victoria is an older restoration in the original color of Egyptian Sand. It’s somewhere between gray and tan, and is a subtle, low-profile contrast to many of the more flamboyant colors of the period. The body is completely rust-free and solid, with no evidence that this was ever a rusty car—even the trunk, which is notorious for being a trouble spot on these models, is in excellent original condition with no signs of patching. The paint itself is in good condition, with a nice, soft shine that looks period correct, not hard and shiny like modern urethanes. Much of the chrome, including the rear bumper and taillight housings, has been recently refinished with great results.
The tan vinyl interior is not 100% correct for 1950, but it looks appropriate and is far more weather-resistant than the original fabrics must have been. However, it’s a good guess that the door panels and seat backs are original brown leather, and the contrast looks great. All four power windows work, the power seat slides back and forth with the touch of a button, and the power top raises and lowers itself without incident. Matching tan carpets with brown leather bindings tie it all together, although it appears that the rear carpets were stained, perhaps by a hydraulic top cylinder leak many years ago. All the gauges are functional, although the clock and radio are not, which is common in cars of this period. The trunk is also finished in matching tan carpets, and includes an ancient spare tire on a color-matched steel wheel.
The 327 cubic inch straight-8 in this car starts quickly using the accelerator-pedal-mounted starter, and settles into a smooth, humming idle that has an incredible feeling of mechanical precision. The 3-speed manual gearbox slips through the gears easily, and this one is equipped with factory overdrive so highway cruising is easy at today’s speeds. The engine bay and chassis are not detailed for show and show evidence of age and use, but there are no warning signs, no damaged components, and everything works as it should. Suspension movement is supple but controlled, and the 4-wheel hydraulic brakes are smooth and confidence-inspiring. It carries four L78-15 wide whitewall tires of indeterminate age, but a new set of rubber might be a smart investment if your intention is to enjoy this Packard on the road.
In 1949, the big Packards were still the envy of the industry, and showing up in this convertible is still an event. Nothing else drives like a senior Packard, making this a no-compromises hobby vehicle that is welcome at a multitude of events and will always delight the driver as much as onlookers. Handsome and unique, it’s one of those vehicles where if you like the color, you’re going to love the car.
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