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Yes, the steering column (and the parking brake) are correct in chromium plating - unique to the 23rd series Custom 8. It looks to me like an extremely outstanding example of what many would say was one of Packard's finest postwar cars, along with the 22nd series Custom 8 and the Clipper Custom Supers.

Owen,

Just by looking does everything looks correct? I really like the car as well, maybe I'm being harsh on the price but I haven't seen any of these cars bringing that money. Then again, you don't see too many of them out there for sale!

For the most part it looks quite outstanding but I'm uncertain about the upholstery, the blue wool looks a lot brighter than I remember, and I thought the seats and door panel materials should match. I also don't recall if the 23rd series Customs used "shadowcloth" wool on the seat cushions and just what the pleat/button pattern was.

Time to get out Bob Neal's book and check out the details of the upholstery, I suggest you do the same if you're interest is sincere. If the seat cushion were to be shadow cloth and they've been redone, I guess you can't fault that as shadowcloth was only reproduced once by Bill Hirsch in all the colors, sold out, and almost certainly will never be reproduced again.

PS - sent Mr. Neal an email, I'll comment back on this post when I hear from him.

Per Mr. Neal, the door panel material (wool) should be beige and not match the seat material which is plain wool without the buttons. I agree with prior comment that the piping is too "white", should be beige. But still quite an exceptional car IMO, I'd think $25 - 30K would be a reasonable price range assuming mechanicals in excellent condition.

Just spent 1/2 hour going through all the 22nd/23rd series photos on the website trying to get a handle on the steering column.

My observations are that the upholstery material is correct for the 23rd series... only the 22nd series used shadowcloth. I am of the opinion that the door panels and carpet should be blue to match the seats. The piping on the seats is too white but I understand the original tan/beige piping is extremely difficult to find. The steering wheel has been painted white and the chrome accents aren't fitting very well. It looks like the speedometer has been replaced with one out of a 22nd series... gold vs silver (subtle but noticeable). Both my Customs (22nd and 23rd series) have a painted steering column. I can't find an example of a chromed column anywhere but I defer to Dave's experience.

All nits unless you want a show car... it's really quite beautiful and would be a big hit at the local cruise-in but I agree the price may be optimistic.

Friends

Maybe I should buy a lottery ticket tonight. I tried to buy an original 23rd series Custom Eight over 20 years ago but didn't have the money. It is in not as nice shape now as it was. My memory is that the upholstery was something other than shadow cloth but I didn't know as much about them as I do now.

Price? Try to find one in that condition. Try to find one at all. 22nd series Custom Eights are not plentiful, but there are a heck of a lot more them around.

Regards

John Harley

I called the seller and he said $28K was bottom dallar. I told him IMO he'll be hard pressed to get over $20K unless someone that doesn't know Packards just doesn't care and has more money than brains. Again, JMO. I like it myself but would pay no more than $18K.

A1948 that runs for $1150

http://portland.craigslist.org/wsc/cto/4333956778.html

The more I look at that 1950 Custom 8 sedan and discuss it with folks who own/follow the 48-50 Custom 8 cars, the more I think the asking price isn't that unrealistic.

Image from factory brochure (courtesy of Robert Neal) of a 2352 with blue interior. I note the steering column isn't chrome-plated, yet it was on my 2352 which was a low-mileage funeral service car when I purchased it in 1960. Of course images like this were created considerably before the cars actually went into production. Note the kick panel on the door and the arm rest are blue, but neither the door panel itself nor the carpets are.

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That's very interesting to me. My '50 has a 501 interior (all tan) so I can't use it as an example. There are photos, factory photos, and brochure renditions of 21st and 22nd series Customs that definitely have matching (dark) door panels. I have the original door panels from my 22nd series Custom and they are dark green broadcloth to match the green shadowcloth on the seats. I guess that must have changed with the 23rd series. Live and learn.

Here's an illustration from the 1948 Fact Book of a 22nd Series Custom Sedan interior:

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Here is a photo of the driver side front interior in my Custom Clipper. I also agree the piping is more of an ivory or cream color not white. The interior of this car is original except for the heel panel the previous owner had sewn in to cover carpet wear.

(o{}o)

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