Re: Abandoned Packard in a Mansion Garage for 40+ Years
Posted by HH56 On 2023/4/10 10:36:00
I would say the car is a 51 not only because of all the correct front end styling but also because of the two piece chrome trunk lid treatment. The 52 used the same plastic emblem but was a single piece casting with the bottom side more V shaped where they incorporated the plastic emblem. If the car can be considered mostly original it might answer another question that has come up here on the forum in years past -- was the Packard lettering color in the casting red or black and on this one you can see remaining bits of red paint.
It probably has dealer installed 52 louvers and I suspect dealer installed power brakes too. One of the articles I remember reading seemed to indicate a louver change was done more than a few times on 51s. They were inexpensive and had a sleeker look. When power brakes arrived in 52, Packard went all out to promote and make them available on cars that did not have them. Kits were offered to retrofit the units to 51 or already sold 52 models if an owner wanted them and encouraged dealers to install them on non equipped 52s already in stock. There is a service counselor article on how to install them even to the point of heating and using a hammer to bash in a clearance spot on the 51 frame it it was needed.
The car is well equipped and does have power windows. When the guy opened the front door you could see the switches.
Attach file:
trunk.jpg (77.90 KB)
It probably has dealer installed 52 louvers and I suspect dealer installed power brakes too. One of the articles I remember reading seemed to indicate a louver change was done more than a few times on 51s. They were inexpensive and had a sleeker look. When power brakes arrived in 52, Packard went all out to promote and make them available on cars that did not have them. Kits were offered to retrofit the units to 51 or already sold 52 models if an owner wanted them and encouraged dealers to install them on non equipped 52s already in stock. There is a service counselor article on how to install them even to the point of heating and using a hammer to bash in a clearance spot on the 51 frame it it was needed.
The car is well equipped and does have power windows. When the guy opened the front door you could see the switches.
Attach file:
trunk.jpg (77.90 KB)
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