Re: top speed for a 21 super clipper with 356 cu. in

Posted by Joe Santana On 2020/2/29 18:38:43

You might need to find a 1992 issue of the Packard Club magazine Cormorant and the article in Road & Track 1950 with top speeds for all cars that says (according to someone memory) the 356 top speed was 99mph. Add overdrive, another 27% , and perhaps 125 mph.

"I reserected an old Packard Cormorant magazine issue of 1992 in which there is an article comparing the 1947 Packard Super Clipper with a 1947 Cadillac Model 62. Not surprisingly the top speed bias is in favour of Packard . The article states that in 1950 Road and Track rated all domestic (US) cars for top speed and it concluded that the Packard Custom with the 356" engine and Ultramatic was the fastest car in the US with a top speed of 99MPH, The Lincoln V-8 second at 98 and the ohv Cadillac at 97. The Packard mag article does not state how the tests were conducted however or whether the Caddy had a Hydamatic. One author Jan Norbye in his book " The 100 Greatest American Cars' claims a top speed of the 356" engined Clipper at 110MPH.
The 356 Packard was engine rated at 165HP and 292 ft. lbs. of torque at 1800r.p.m. With overdrive and 4.09:1 effective gearing is down to 2.95:1. I would suspect that a 1940's L-head Cadillac at 150HP and without overdrive would not approach this speed. A 165HP engined Buick might I suppose. I personally have had my Packard up to 85mph and it doesn't seem at all stressed but with bias ply tires and a 57 year old car I have not had the temerity to test the car beyond this speed. I once owned a 1947 75 Series Imperial limousine Cadillac with hydramatic and it was not as fast as the Packard in my opinion but it was a lot heavier car also!"

EDIT These guys might look it up for you. Then you could buy the issue. I think that's as official as one could get. I don't think Packard advertised top speed except by Speedometer (up to 120 on my 1940).https://www.ebay.com/itm/Road-Track-1950-to-1962-Back-Issues-Please-contact-for-specific-issues/122546118104?hash=item1c88515dd8:g:~ysAAOSwRXRZPt-W


Good luck researching.