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

Found this bit of information on a new eBay listing this morning:

"1948 was also the first year for the 327 cid Packard straight eight that would see the company through to the end of the straight eight era. The engine produced as much horsepower as the larger prewar 356cid engine, so Packard under rated it's horsepower in their literature. The fact was that the lighter more powerful Super Eight outperformed the heavier and more expensive top of the line Custom Eight."

I'd never heard this claim before. Has anyone else? Is it just more eBay amateur marketing misinformation?

Having driven both, I'd say the Super is slightly faster, but dont have any timed runs. The Custom is noticably creamier in feel. But if the road has any corners in it, I would take the Super, and come to think of it, would also prefer it in town. The 327 powertrain is some 150 lbs (?) lighter.

The 327 puts out about 56 hp on a dyno at 1950 rpm, while the 359 puts out around 73 hp. So if the compression is dropped in the 359 the hp probably drops around 10.

My guess is the Su 8 feels faster because the hood is shorter, but my impression is they are a pretty even match.

Both the engine and the car are lighter than the Custom 8 so it was probably faster.I read somewhere that the 48 super 8 had the best power to weight ratio of any car built in 1948.