Re: VERY Basic Packard model history wanted

Posted by HH56 On 2019/2/25 11:51:19

Others may disagree or have a better detail info but in a nutshell, my take is Packard went by series and for various reasons -- mostly because early on the same models carried over thru several years -- the series didn't coincide with calendar year until 1954. The basic model pricepoints remained essentially the same thruout the series changes but after 39 for the 1940 models the somewhat different senior cars kind of went away and the junior and senior lines more or less merged using the same basic body and structures with engine and trim levels differentiating the differences. Someone more versed in prewar years would need to elaborate on the differences prior to the shared body.

15th series was 1937, 16th 38, 17th 39, 18th 40, 19th 41, and 20th 42. Postwar the 21st series covered 46 and 47 which were almost identical to the prewar Clippers but with relatively minor differences in trim. The 22nd series was 48 thru mid 49 and the almost identical 23rd series -- again trim was the distinction -- was mid 49 thru 50. The 22-23 series bodies were heavily facelifted but was essentially bulked up 20 and 21st series Clippers. The large 356 engine remained thru 50 but the old 282 small eight and the six (still available in the 22nd taxi) was dropped for 48 and a new 288 small eight (5 main bearings) was introduced which became the block used for engines thru 54. The 356 was dropped for car use after the 23rd series and a new 9 main 327 based on the new 288 block took its place. The Ultramatic appeared during the 23rd series 50 production and carried thru late 54 with refinements only.

In 51 the 24th series body style and mechanicals was considerably changed but while the number changed to 25th series for 52 the cars were almost identical. 26th series 53s had quite a few trim changes but retained the same body styles and for 54 the decision was made that series and calendar year would coincide so the 54th series suddenly appeared.

For 54 even though the same earlier bodies were used Packard pulled out all the stops in trim and chrome use to make the hardtop and convertible which were based on junior bodies appear to be senior cars. The senior engine for 54 was a 359 which was a bored and stroked 327 9 main. It was also used on the hardtop and convertible still in the junior chassis but was a one year only engine as the V8 arrived in 55th series 55s. In late 54 a redesigned Ultramatic was introduced which added a new selector position with a second mode of operation -- the original no shift mode and a mode where the gears actually shifted from low to high when the car started moving. That was the Gear Start which in 55 was renamed the Twin Ultramatic.