Here is the '51/'55 hybrid:http://www.imcdb.org/vehicle_265308-Packard-250-2431-1951.html

Also worth noting is that it has a Packard V8. I read elsewhere that it's a '56 engine. Looks like a fun car to me, and since my wife and three daughters love pink, they'd love it too.

http://pics.imcdb.org/0is132/tuesdaymorningride30.431.jpg

Precisely, '666! Whatever the narrowest part might be - usually in that area due to the convertible top mechanism.

I'd love a real-world measurement to confirm or deny what's in the literature.

Thanks fellas. It appears 49.5" should be adequate room for three hulking, modern child car seats.

Also, thanks much for clearing up the murky history of Packard's convertible models!

I just found a pink '51 convertible that someone grafted '54 Clipper quarters to. I assume it's ruined from a collector's standpoint, but it's kind of cool looking.

Can anyone tell me what the rear-seat hip room is on a '51-'54 convertible (non-Caribbean)?

The '53 and '54 convertibles are a bit confusing, since they were apparently part of the Cavalier series. Are they larger than the 250-series '51-'52 cars?

Thank you!

Regarding Caribbeans, don't I know it!

This one is about two blocks from me, and although it says "Call for pricing", I think the last time it was on eBay they had it starting at $42,500.

There was a regular '53 ragtop in the Packardinfo classifieds this summer that had an initial asking price of $26,000; and sedans I've seen in similar condition have all been advertised around $7000. I think your 3:1 ratio for the drop tops holds true.

Next down on my list is a '54 Pontiac Star Chief convertible, but from appearances, the Pontiac is about half the car for half again as much money as a Packard.

I'm patient, anyway. I can't even dig the Camaro out of the barn until we've moved, so it probably won't officially go up for sale until next spring.

Further updating: Recent conversations with my wife have us thinking of unloading both Falcons and the Camaro and trying to get into an early '50s convertible. Topping that list (for me) are the '51-'54 Packards. Conservatively speaking, we'll have about $20,000 to work with once the current fleet is liquidated.

I see lots of Number 1 or 2 cars advertised for big bucks, and lots of parts/project cars advertised for virtually nothing, but it seems Number 3 and 4 driver cars are hard to find. Nevertheless, the price guides are suggesting $18,600 to $19,200 is an appropriate sum.

Think I'm in range?

The '52 200 Deluxe that first kindled my interest in these cars is still around and still for sale:http://saginaw.craigslist.org/cto/3385827436.html

Unfortunately, when it disappeared, I bought a pair of Falcons and no longer have the liquidity I did when I started this thread. They're great commuters, but I've been wishing for a larger, road-trip car for my now-five-person family.

Just reviewing this thread and wanted to provide an update. I have a sense I may yet acquire one of these. My goals have changed, though, and I would probably be looking at a TH-700R4 swap now instead of a stick.

Argh! The car disappeared tonight. Unfortunately, I've caught the Packard bug. If this doesn't work out, does anyone know of a similar-condition, similar-price '53 or '54 Clipper for sale in mid-Michigan?

-Dave

Say, I like this shot, it's a more flattering angle than this one:




And the pink car looks better with all the trim on it.

-Dave

A couple points I can add to this discussion.

As nearly as I determine, the Senior Packard bolt pattern is 5 on 5" - same as B.O.P. (Buick, Olds, Pontiac) in the 1950s and the same as full-size GM station wagons into the 1980s.

The Junior Packards/Clippers seem to use the 5 on 4.5" pattern used by post-1948 Ford, Plymouth, and AMC (others too, I'm sure).

Those running "white stripe" tires or otherwise dissatisfied with their wide white options might consider carefully sanding away the black rubber on the sidewall of a white-stripe (what I call a "narrow whitewall") or raised-white-letter tire to reveal the wider layer of white rubber underneath. This is a popular trick with budget-minded nostalgia rodders (see the popular message board the "HAMB" for details).

Some have also had success painting their own whitewalls with Krylon spray paint, but I can't speak to the durability of such a modification.

-Dave