Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

Want to purchase the four piece (I gather) front bumper for 1948-49 Packard.
I've been told that they are 4 pieces, but I don't know if that includes the bumper guards.
Mack @ 208-880-2167 or aprazer@cableone.net

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The front bumper is one piece? The uprights/bumperettes, etc. are separate/bolt ons. Has several attaching brackets.

48-49 would be 22 series, which has the painted middle insert.
The 23 series '49 is unpainted but I think is the same part number.(? - have to look up) Just repaint the middle.

FYI; Would cost a small fortune to replate one of these. My plan was to slim down/light weight on my hot rod project, sitting under the bench...
Check the usual places.

ps: post on the "parts wanted" forum.

The earlier 22nd Series production have the main bumper with the open air-take with painted side recesses, later 22nd and all 23rd Series changed to the solid type.

Steve

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The painted center was applicable only to the junior 22nd series Packards and was discontinued as a running change even before they changed to a solid bumper.

The 22nd series open bumper was not one-piece, and the connecting brackets are not the same as the solid bumper.

The 22 series bumper has over twenty different parts, and yes very expensive to plate. I have done three and have some extra parts. If you don't plane to show the car you might consider looking for a complete 23 series bumper with the supports.

Here's an early '48 22nd Series Eight that was for sale this year, note the front bumper is missing the inserts between the blades, shows best on the driver's side.

Wonder why they went to such a multi-piece, labor-intensive bumper construction type? Seems if Christopher would have nixed that idea from the 'get-go'.

Steve

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My surmise is that the original design, the open gap with painted inserts (and painted insert on the rear) was visually trying to "Float" two thin bright bars, which line up with the side stainless strip(s). I find it the most visually appealing.

The designs get heavier and shinier - first the all chrome open gap, then the solid bumper, to add more bling.

The inserts in the bumper applied only to the Custom and complimented the egg crate motif.

Here they are on my 22nd series Custom.

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Good afternoon JD...Do you suppose that the grill design also had to do with some additional cooling air helping to cool the big 356? Ernie in Arizona

Interesting thought. The opening does direct air to the lower portion of the radiator helped along by the splash pan. But for whatever benefit it provided, it was done away with on all models before the 22nd series had ended.