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

I recently came across a nice 1950 Custom Eight. I've really been looking for 22nd series cars with 3 speed overdrive but this one is otherwise exactly what I'm looking for. How practical is it to convert the car to an original 3-speed or to a different manual transmission and how will this impact it's desirability?

It is quite possible, but you will need a 22nd series Custom Eight parts car. There are so many parts that are different from a Super or Eight that these models will not suffice. The longer steering column is just one example.

The audience for the 23d series Customs is probably just as small now as it was then. I'm guessing it won't matter for most buyers.

I'm set on a stick shift Custom, so it seems wiser to keep waiting for a 22nd Series. Thanks!

1950 is series 23 or 24. Early 50s were left over 23s. 22 ended with the '48 and those splashed into early '49.

You'd most likely need a donor car with what you want to harvest.
It can be done from hotrod parts but won't be stock.
As far as value, depends if the buyer wants an auto, after you convert to stick. ie, Save the OEM parts you take off and keep with the car. That no permanent damage done
It's always best to wait for the right car than get anxious.

I'm not sure what that means but 1950 had nothing to do with 24th series. 1950 was 23rd series only, which started mid-1949.

Quote:

Jim, for the benefit of those who may read this in the future, I'd like to clarify your statement on Series.

The 22nd series cars were manufactured from 1947-1949 and were labeled as either 1948 or 1949 models. Some unsold 1948 models were re-labeled as 1949 22nd series models. The 23rd Series cars were manufactured from 1949-1950 and were labeled as either 1949 or 1950 models. Some unsold 1949 models were re-labeled as 1950 23rd series models.

The Station Sedan is an exception and was only manufactured as a 22nd series car but the unsold cars were renumbered as 1949 22nd Series, 1949 23rd series, and 1950 23rd Series. It was possible for a 1948 Station Sedan to end up having had 4 data plates ultimately showing '1950 23rd series'.

The 24th Series were all labeled as 1951 models.

There's something here.
But '50 not a 22nd as indicated.

The "model info" menu page by year lists the '50s all as 2300-5, which is the std designation for carry over vehicles.
The '49 22nd carry overs were 2200-9 numbered. I went through this when I got mine to verify it's a 23rd '49.
So either in '50, there were none carried over*, they all were carry over, or something else is wrong. I'll have to dig out the Neal book to clarify the clarifications.
* - not what I recall.

All 23rd series, whether built to be titled as 1950 models or leftover 1949 23rd series cars renumbered as 1950 models have -5- inserted into the VN. Exactly the same way the 22nd series cars were numbered with -9- as they carried over to 1949 22nd series vehicles.