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

Hello. I am new to forums and this is my first post. I have started restoring a 1954 packard cavalier and am currently removing the trim. The question I have is about the clear plastic piece around the trunk lock. Mine does not have any color. It's just clear. The same goes for the two circle pieces just next to the rear door near the top of the car. Did these have color at once and faded over time or were they always just clear? It just seems kinda plain being clear. Thanks for any info anyone.

Welcome.
Your plastic pieces have long since faded - originally they were red and gold, lovely detail. Search around some on-line pictures, for example just google images for 54 Packards and you should get the idea. I think they are reproduced, but I'm not 100% certain, someone else should chime in to confirm.

DAF

Welcome,

I believe the trunk plastic was used on the 53, 54, and 55 models.

The ones by the door maybe just a 54 year only.

I have painted the inside of one of the trunk ones, that was clear, like yours. It worked until I bought a reproduced one.

I haven't had much luck with painting them because every paint I've tried when applied from the back appears dull on the finished side -- even if the plastic is still in decent condition and not crazed or cloudy -- but it is better than nothing being done.

You might try the vendors --Kanter or Max Merritt --to see if they still have any but it is doubtful. IIRC, the last time someone mentioned the plastic emblems and checked they were not available. Emblemagicemblemagic.com/packard.htm reproduces some of them but they are not cheap. The trunk piece is out of stock so it would be order and wait. They build in batches which means a long delivery time.

There is Emblemagic or someplace like the spelling on the web that had reproductions. They are not, repeat N-O-T cheap. I think a brand new grill emblem was around 4-5 hundred dollars. Just the plastic piece!

The grill used the same from 52-54.
The trunk was the same from 53-55 (senior series).
The 54 side pieces were that year only as the 55's had a chrome V holding onto the rear panel (for hinting not to subtly at Packards' first v-8)

I'll be definitly going Let The Ride Decide route of repainting my emblems and that will be that.

G'day smashburn,

to PackardInfo, and I invite you to include your '54 Cavalier in the Packard Owner's Registry.

Thanks guys. Great information. I knew I was in the right place.

Oh. Cheaper than I thought. Around 200-275 for some of the Packard plastic emblems.

for including your '54 Cavalier Touring Sedan in the Registry.