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

Hi all, I recently aquired my first Packard, a 51' 400 Patrician. While 99% of the car is complete and original, I seem to be missing the truck lining, if my car was even equipped with one. I can see the sheetmetal, and springs in my rear seat, and it just looks....bare!! I was hoping to see if there was a supplier that made new "liners" or are they kind of...homemade now? I was thinking of picking up some thin mdf and gluing some auto carpet to it for now, and forming it to my trunk. I dont plan on having a "concorse" restoration car, but I dont want the trunk to look like c*ap either. I would appreciate any ideas...Thanks!

Jeff-

The back of the seat should have a cardboard like panel between it and the trunk.

The trunk itself does not have a liner, but was covered in a spray-on "flocking". As far as I know that flocking is not reproduced by anyone. That flocking really never lasted. Some people just paint the inside of the trunk to protect it, other have a carpet mat made to line the floor of the trunk.

If someone has other ideas, then I would like to hear them.

For what it's worth I just replaced the deteriorated backing panel on my rear seat also. It was falling apart with rot.

Go to Lowe's and get a 4x8 sheet of 1/8" masonite (they call it "hardboard"). Use a saber saw to cut it to size and mount it to the "X" frame behind the seat with 3 or four nut/bolt combos. Paint the back of it the same color as you're going to use inside the trunk.

I also covered mine on the inside facing side with some thermal barrier. Ought to cut down on noise from my whiny differential.

Thanks BigKev, I was kinda figuring it may have had the "spatter" type paint treatment from the factory, but I guess I still need to fab up a cover for the back of the seat. I know I saw a few pics of packard trunks with some type of vinyl, or fabric fitted lining that covered up every surface of the trunk, but it may have been specific to a different year?

Jeff-

Jay,
Thats a great idea, I'll have to go check out Lowes tomorrow...Thanks!
Jeff-

I believe 56s (and 55s?) had the trunk liner you are thinking of. But I will let the V8 guys speak to that.

Flocking material and application equipment is available however I can't speak for texture as compared to original and how much you'd have to experiment to get the correct color.
donjer.com/

my 55 had a liner and it was a checkered pattern, kinda black and white from what i could tell it was so dirty.

the sides were cardboard type material like the back of the seat.

my 55 had a liner and it was a checkered pattern, kinda black and white from what i could tell it was so dirty.

the sides were cardboard type material like the back of the seat.

Thanks everyone, I kinda figured after looking at several pics , that the only "true" liners available were on the 55 and later cars....I think i'm going to fab up a back for the seats, and a floor "pan", and probably upholster them with auto grade carpet, and just paint the remaining trunk walls.....thanks for the flocking link too....that will come in handy down the road when I want to do a true "show car" resto...

Jeff-