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

I've got a question for the group.
I have a 22 series 1949 Custom Sedan with a 356 engine. From what I've gathered on this site the original color was either green or gray. When I look at my engine I can tell both the head and block were red.
I've found only one reference to red engines in the literature and it says that red engines were factory rebuilds.
My question to you is if I'm restoring the car should I take it back to the factory colors (green or gray) or represent "this" cars history and make it red?
What do you think?

Good Morning...I would leave it red to reflect the car's history. Most likely the engine number may not match your registration due to the engine switch, unless the dealer put the original engine's number on the rebuilt engine. The other option, if the numbers match, is that the original engine was removed, rebuilt, and re-installed. Just one of the opinions you are apt to receive. Ernie in Arizona

Personally I would paint it the factory colour. As much as possible I try to keep my car original.........it's a slippery slope once you start changing things.

Someone else can confirm, but I'm pretty sure your engine would have been green, battleship gray came later. "If" what you found is correct, that your engine is red because it's a factory rebuild, then I would make it red because that's original and cool. I can't speak to that one way or another, but I know there are others here than can.

Thanks Ernie, I appreciate what you said.

Thanks 53Cavalier, I like hearing what the group thinks.

To the best of my knowledge, all the 22nd/23rd series cars had gray (or grey if you are British) engines. The exception was some very early 22nd series convertibles with the 356 engine which were green. All three of my 22nd/23rd series 356 engines were gray from the factory. One has been re-painted green since it was transplanted into a 1941 180 limo.

I agree with JD with the exception that the very early 356 engines perhaps being green may not have been limited to just some of the convertibles. My very early 2252 had a green engine with no evidence that it had been overpainted in later years.

Thanks JD and Owen.
I dont think I can go wrong with either gray or green. But do you think I should respect the history of "this" car and paint it red. As red engines were "factory rebuilt" engines. And Packard did the rebuild.

Since you asked and if it were mine, I would paint it gray. That's my two-cent's worth.

The red painted engines were not factory rebuilt but rather new replacement long blocks with no stamped serial number.
I have one of these that came out of a 22nd Series Custom 8 sedan.