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running change on dash trim sounds plausible - my car with chrome is a 1949 model year 22nd.

Were the taxi switch knobs painted too or is that one of the trim items you are missing and have substituted chrome for now? If that way originally, it seems a kind of in your face statement that to me looks out of place in the otherwise mundane dash. As to the brown, that is a rather nondescript color which it pains me to say almost makes the pinkish color in the bottom end Clippers look good. As Ross said, what were they thinking. At least someone must have realized bland is bad so they had the good sense to bring in Dorothy Draper when they did.

I think the switches were plated as was the glove box handle. They obviously were groping for any sort of trim stratification given the cars were so generic. It probably cost more to paint the parts, but those things happen. However, for a taxi who would even care? I know some of them had painted grilles, but I wouldn't be surprised if they threw whatever they had at the dashboard.

At Chrysler the low line tire pressure monitoring system cost more than the deluxe system. And they were proud of it. They thought having all those systems for government mandated crap was something to be proud of.

TIM, that is a good point. From what I have observed on the taxis that I have I believe that Packard was trying to use up any existing inventory that was on hand. The 46/47 taxis used 15 inch wheels and the 48 lwb taxi also used the 15 inch wheel. I also have a 49 taxi from the Chicago area and it uses 16 inch wheels. It would make more since to me to have used the larger wheel on the heavier taxi. I wish there was more information available on the taxis, but so far I have found very little.

Howard, The window switch and the door ajar warning light did not show any signs of brown paint on the two I have. The center dash grille was painted over chrome and I am not sure if the switch buttons were chrome or painted. the end caps for the switch push controls on the instrument bezel and the glove box door were never chrome but just painted. I purchased two new window switches and they were both chrome. I never realized how nice the stock dashes looked until I put the taxi dash together. UGH, UGLY

Don, I hope these pictures help.

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Hmm, this picture indicates the same layout as the base Eight. I see chrome pushbuttons and chrome glove box handle. I also see uneven brake and clutch pedals. But who knows what all they were doing. There are lots of documented variations in those taxi models. That is one area where the photographic records hold up.

Of course this is a prototype. Perhaps even a clay model. Note the lack of a rear door.

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I have seen people driving around with COVID-19 shields in their cars, not unlike the one pictured. Strange and difficult times...

I thought the same thing when I saw it!

Wasn't the shield separating the driver from the passengers something required in New York? Not sure the actual purpose as I doubt they worried much about virus pandemics in those days. Probably would not do much to stop a bullet but maybe it would slow down a less determined robber.