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Looks like all of the golden cars had whites. On my 48, I've discovered the attractive look of the chrome hubcap and beauty ring on a freshly painted wheel, surrounded by a clean blackwall tire.

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WRT Packards of the 50s, the Trade Letters that I've examined, thus far, show white sidewall tires as standard equipment only on:

55-56 Caribbean
54 Caribbean (suspect same for this model in 53)
52 Convertible (suspect same for this model in 51)

Seems they were optional on all others, but I'd bet that was a very popular option on nearly all but the least expensive models.

(We're still looking for Trade Letters with full detail on equipment and pricing for 22nd, 23rd, 24th, and 26th Series.)

Both my Packards (22nd/23rd series) left the factory with 4" white wall tires, so I'll keep them white wall. In my opinion (just an opinion) the 22nd/23rd series look good in either white wall or black wall. I just prefer the white wall look on most cars built in the late 40's through the 50's.

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While not period correct, I like the "Thin" white walls on Barrie's bathtub that he recently posted. Also they are inexpensive and readily available.

@JD- they both look good.

BTW, the longer wheelbase cars like yours- was the length added between the front wheel opening and the door? It sure looks that way compared to mine. And why would they add it there instead of to the rear seat passenger area?

@BH- those trade publications would be very interesting to see!

@BigKev- I think the '54 Clipper looks fantastic with BW tires! I'm negotiating to buy one right now, so my wife can have a Packard to drive. The '54 Clipper is actually my favorite model.

The additional length is all forward of the passenger compartment (the engine compartment). I suspect the cost of producing 2 different bodies for an additional 7" wouldn't be justified. I don't think you can get a 356 with its larger radiator into the space occupied by a 288 (I don't know this as a fact).

JD

The Packard practice of putting the same body on two different wheelbase cars and charging a lot more for the longer one goes back to the twenties

The late Dan Malmphy was a restorer in Connecticut. After his retirement he was apparently looking for somethng to do. He had a very nice 23rd series Eight, and a 356 that that he thought needed a home. The 356 found its way into the Eight, along with a Packard power steering unit, I believe. My understanding is that this took a fair amount of effort.

I never drove that car , or rode in it. I asked him one tine what it was iike. He said "it's not like anythig else that I have ever driven" He claimed that the supspension wasn't overwhelmed, but the car did't exactly sit high off the ground either .

Needless to say, I don't know where that car is today


Regards

John Harley

Joey, I like the look of the blackwalls on your car. I think some body styles and some years do look better with blackwall tires. I do know that the blackwalls are a lot less trouble to keep looking nice. I have 2 with wide whitewalls and 3 with blackwalls. Roger

Thanks, Roger. I'm surprised that I like them so much. Yes, much easier to maintain, and about $150 less per tire new than whites.

Joey

I like the whitewalls but it is difficult to keep clean and impossible to get in Africa. In my case I had to settle for thin white wall radials as it is all I can get locally! I also have the later 54 style hubcaps as they were cheaper on e-bay. Sometimes I have to sacrifice originality for the sake of having the car driveable and at least look like something. Are you running radials? I find mine very comfortable.
Regards