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Hi,
What is the better material Broadcloth or Bedford Cord that was used in the 23rd series cars?
What is the difference?
Which one is more expensive?

Packard used broadcloth on all the closed 23rd series Custom models. Broadcloth seems to be the material of choice for all the top end cars through the early 50's.

Here are samples of Bedford Cord and here are samples of broadcloth. Bedford Cord is like a low profile corduroy. Broadcloth can be smooth or patterned.

I suspect broadcloth is more expensive but you can check with SMS fabrics or Bill Hirsch to be sure.

Here's my 22nd series recollections (not sure what changes for 23rd) for std offerings

Eight houndstooth broadcloth wool
Eight Deluxe striped broadcloth wool
Super Eight striped broadcloth closed cars
vinyl convertible (leather optional?)
Custom Eight shadow cloth with tan piping closed cars (pretty!)
all leather or
leather and bedford cord for convertibles

perhaps someone can carry on/correct for 23rd


IMHO, do not use polyblend, it is immediately apparent

"upgrades" = inauthentic, and actually cost more, so why bother

For the 23rd series Packard dropped the shadow cloth for the Customs and replaced it with a smooth broadcloth (same piping). They also dropped the quilting with buttons on the seat. The 22nd series was a bit more elegant than the 23rd series when it comes to upholstery (personal opinion).

The various available trim numbers by model number and descriptions of trim are outlined in the Parts Manual Introduction section.