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

Since you are seeking to make a tribute car, changing the appearance to that of a pre-war Clipper is a simple: remove the heavy bumper ends and replace the center grille with the fine bar unit from a '41-'42 model. No one is going to recognize the dash and interior pattern differences, except maybe Packard folks. I'd recommend you don't do anything that's not easily reversible later. Military-spec'd 1940's cars appeal to a very limited group of collectors,

Remember, the first thing anyone did who bought an Army drab surplus staff car after the war took it immediately to an Earl Schieb paint shop for a quick re-spray to an appealing 'civilian' color.

Steve

IMO, you would be better off keeping it as a 47 for resale if nothing else. Trying to make it a prewar staff car would just make it another obvious fake of which there have been several.

Finding the prewar grill and reverting some outside changes should not be that big a task but those who know Packards would spot the harder to change differences such as the dash and obviously the numbers right away. Without proven documentation or a buyer who just absolutely had to have your particular car I would expect you would take a financial hit when you try to sell although as was mentioned there are people who it would appeal to.

Completely agree about the interior if you do go the prewar route but strongly suggest it be listed as a tribute for a 42 because of the dash. Packard did not build that many prewar Clippers and since they are a desirable model there are not too many decent parts cars sitting around. Mechanically many parts carried over and were used for several years on all the models so are not that horrible to find but depending on what trim is needed many items are one year and some even one model only. Parts chasing for interior and some trim items to try to make it a prewar Clipper could be very interesting and expensive.

Aside from all the above, your 1947 Clipper is seven inches shorter than the 1941 model.

Thank you all for the opinions and suggestions. I understand completely to limit the revisions to those that can be unrevised by another owner or collector. My experience level is military vehicles from WWI through Korea with jeeps and tracked vehicles. I have stayed away from "normal" steel body cars due to my limited ability to work and paint metal.
OD lusterless green is very forgiving.

So, tribute 47 Packard staff car. Limited, if any, modifications and keep restoration costs down to a minimum and upon completion, the satisfaction will be with myself and the military vehicle community. If some Packard enthusiasts can appreciate keeping at least one more on the road, than that would be added value to me.

So, any interest if I start a restoration thread for this project? Or will it be perceived by this audience that I am wasting a perfectly good Packard.

Attach file:

---

  (30.25 KB)

Some pic's taken at the Dayton Ohio Packard Museum in 2012.

Attach file:

---

  (48.98 KB)


  (45.86 KB)


  (40.96 KB)


  (37.46 KB)

By all means build your tribute car. I am all in favor of any means to keep the Packard name before the public.

The PO has a 41 grill that is "pretty rough", but as it will get painted OD green and not chromed, if it will fit the existing space, we will consider using it and saving the original grill. I think we will leave the interior differences alone. Again, if we can make some changes that do not drastically alter the sheet metal, and it makes sense financially, we'll give it a shot.
Looking forward to having the actual car in our stable in mid October. Right now, dealing with photos and on site third party inspection.
But excited.

Good Morning...You should start a restoration thread as many of us will be interested in what you are doing. It may not be stock, but it does mean that another Packard is on the road...Just my humble opinion...Ernie in Arizona

FWIW, my vote follows Ross' & Ernie's... a Packard on the road is multiple times better than one at the crusher!

Returning another Packard on the road again is the best reason to pursue this project. Its very presences will expose those to whom Packard was previously unknown, especially true for younger people.

Please start a project blog to document your progress and share it with us. Its also a good place to ask questions and keep track of answers. You'll also find the 'search' function very useful as many of the problems you'll encounter have already been dealt with and are well documented.

Welcome and good luck with your new Packard project:

Steve