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

I am a little confused about which models were considered a " clipper ". I just was given a 1952 Packard 3000 4 door sedan. Was it legitimate to call that particular model a " clipper "?


rhlevine

If the car has the horizontal 2 bulb tail lights like your 300, it is considered senior. Clipper types all had vertical tail lights till 54 when they went to the single large roundish one at end of fender. Not sure without looking when the Clipper name became the norm or official - 53 I think - but the 200 and 250's were juniors & could be considered Clipper types.

Wheelbase is another difference. Clippers were all shorter 122" wheelbase, seniors 127". 51-3 convertibles & HTs get into a gray area as they were all shorter based vertical tail light but considered by many or factory equipped & optioned to be more like seniors. 54 is the screwed up year. The convertible and Pacific were short base but had every senior bell and whistle thrown at them including mechanicals & styling cues and even the horizontal tail lights grafted on so they could be considered a full senior.

The 300 (not 3000) is a hybrid, senior wheelbase but not the senior mechanicals. In 1954 and perhaps in 1953 it was called both the 300 and the Cavalier, perhaps in 1952 as well. Without checking some original factory literature, I don't believe it was ever officially a "Clipper", but why not check some of the factory literature in that section of the website - the definitive answer may well be there.

The "clipper" was first a 1940's styling that packard adopted across the line after WWII.

If you know that the car given to you is a '52 four door, then your car is a 200, 300, or 400. The 200 is the smaller wheelbase and has a noticable smaller rear window. The 300 and 400 are the same wheelbase and body with a large three piece rear windows. The difference in the two are interior and exterior trim. What's standard in the 400 (Ultramatic, power brakes, more expensive uphostery, chrome trim, etc) would be optional and what previous owners would have added later.

The smaller 200 series was renamed Clipper in 1953 and for 1954.

If your is a '52 300 then you should see a three piece rear window and a lone chrome strip across the rear fender bulge about halfway as well as a two piece horizontal taillight treatment. Your car should have the 327 engine with 5 main bearings.

Good luck on your present!