Packard Forum Index » Pre-War (1899-1942)

Can anyone tell me what type of wood originally would of been used in a 28 533? I currently have a metal dash with vinyl wood grain paper over it. The car was originally modified by Dietrich.

Thanks,
Gar

Hi,
I am by no means an expert on the late 20s cars. I have an unmolested 1929 model 645 7 passenger sedan (virtually identical to the "big" limo for '29). The instrument panel is metal painted in a woodgrain pattern. there is a strip of wood for the dashboard. I seem to recall either hearing, or reading somewhere that Packard used carpathian elm veneers for the wood trim on the late 20's cars, but I refer back to my opening statement.

John Wogec

Here is a picture of a 426 dashboard.

By 1929 Packard was putting some fancier patterns. They were done by lithography the same way as toys. What I have never seen is two same series original cars next to each other and whether the dashboards had identical patterns.

If the panels were decorated and then stamped they would differ by car. Packard was the king of fake wood, but given their penchant for expensive finishing processes, I doubt it was cheaper than paint or actual wooden parts.

I would classify the pattern for this car imitation mahogany and it probably lost some redness over the years.

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