Re: "Golden Anniversary" Model

Posted by Owen_Dyneto On 2014/10/6 8:14:11

The oval pedal pads were a feature of the 23rd series, whether titled as 1949 or 1950 models. And I also believe the Golden Anniversary owners manual printed for the 1949 models was carried over unchanged for 1950. The crest key was an accessory available from any Packard dealer. So these alone don't establish that Packard intended a 1950 Packard to be considered a "Golden Anniversary" car.

The question really boils down to what did Packard consider as their Golden Anniversary, the 1949 models, or all of the 23rd series cars which also embraced the unchanged 1950 models. On page 79 of Robert Neal's well-researched book he says the 23rd series was launched as the Golden Anniversary models; one could possibly construe this to include the 1950/23rd series models but personally I think that's a doubtful interpretation of his statement. Yet elsewhere on the same page he says the honor of being the Golden Anniversary car was placed on the 1949 23rd series cars rather than the 1949 22nd series. So it seems either interpretation has some basis, chose the one you like, but consider that 1950 models, essentially unchanged except for the vehicle number, represented their 51st anniversary, not their 50th.

I'll send Mr. Neal an email and ask for his take on the question.