Re: Packard versus the Rest

Posted by Rusty O\'Toole On 2010/12/8 13:40:30

The only one that bragged about their gas mileage at that time was Cadillac. The 1949 thru early fifties models with OHV 331 cu in engine were supposed to be good for 20 mpg or better, on a long hiway trip at a steady 50 to 60 MPH. This was better than most low priced cars at the time.

Earlier flathead Cad, Lincoln, Chrysler, Buick and Packards more like 15 MPG. Buick straight eight with Dynaflow transmission were probably the worst, and could easily dip to the single digits in traffic. Lincoln flathead V8 with overdrive, or OHV V8 with Hydramatic were pretty good.

In the early fifties Packard put a lot of effort into improving gas mileage but I don't think they ever were as good as Cadillac. But they were better than Buick. Buicks were the worst gas hogs, in fact General Motors cars usually got less mileage than competitive makes except for Cadillac.

From the late fifties on, 15 MPG was again the norm in spite of more efficient OHV engines. Increased power, heavier bodies, and many power sapping accessories like automatic trans, air conditioning, power steering were he cause.