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On Facebook people post photos of different Packards and don't put year or model. I know in person I can identify a 110 and 120 from a senior but the only thing I see from a photo is the bumpers. What else gives a junior different from seniors by photo only?

Richard

It depends on the year. From 1939-1942 the differences become smaller. From 1935-1938 (and 1939 Twelve) the differences are bigger; dash, fenders, hood louvres, bumpers.

You can go to the Packard Photo Archive here. Just look to the left of this and you will see the Main Menu. Under this are a number of items. Click on the photo archive and select the year you want to view. Some of the photos are not too good, but they will give you a good idea of the various senior and junior models from 1935 to the end. There were no junior models, per se, before 1935. 1935 is when Packard introduced its mid-priced 120 model line and expanded it in 1937 to include the Sixes. As BDC says it gets more difficult to discern the seniors from the juniors after 1939 and even more so with the Clippers. Hope this helps.

Thanks BDC and JW,
I am a 1930-1934 owner and only interested in senior cars.
I do like to look at all Packards and that is why I ask the question.
It's easy to tell a Vega from a Cadillac but I have a hard time telling a junior from a senior by photo only. In person I have no problem, motor, bumper, size, etc.
Richard

The difference in scale and detail of the 1935-1938 Senior and the 1939 Twelve, being completely different bodies and details from the Juniors makes identifying them easy.

Beginning with 1939, it takes a fair amount of looking at each year and model then comparing them to contemporary series to get a handle on the differences. The 115/Six/110 is easiest to identify by its short front end ahead of the cowl. Details such as bumpers and hubcaps help since they tend smaller and less detailed.

More difficult to identify is 1940-'41 120 versus the 160 since so much is shared, although the 1941 Senior bumpers and taillights are unique to Seniors. Studying which body styles were available in which series helps sort out the possibilities.

I initially learned how to instantly recognize favorite models and styles, worked my way down through the general production series. Its a fun exercise to become familiar with all they built...then have a custom-bodied Packard you've never seen before appear!

Steve

Edited 9-30-2020: When it comes to recognizing various Packard models by sight, as in the old adage about how do you get to Carnegie Hall: practice, practice, practice.

That was part of Packard's problem in later years, not enough difference between the lower cost models and the senior cars....

IF the car has fender spares, you can identify a '37 Senior by the chrome support bars....unique to 1937.

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In addition to the mentioned 41-2 differences in bumpers and taillights, the hood side trim (false vents and hood release) is much wider on a senior, and the running board (if so equipped) trim strips run the length of the horizontal surface on a senior. Then there are the model scripts on the hood and deck lid.

But it's not completely unknown to have senior trim on a junior, as it's bolt on stuff