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I recently came across this photo on eBay and I am now wondering how high a gloss finish the original Custom bathtubs had on the pearwood door inserts. My 23rd series door inserts are in good shape but are not high gloss while my 22nd series is going to need complete refinishing.

I think the high gloss in the picture looks really nice but was wondering if anyone knows for sure what level of gloss came from the factory.

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Seems awfully glossy but it is a custom after all. Guess it's conceivable Packard would pull out the stops. The few I remember from shows, didn't seem near that noticeable. I know it's apples to oranges but just for kicks, this apparently NOS but slightly shelfworn frame from a lowly standard 8 is nowhere near as glossy in comparison.

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Going back into the 60s and 70s I had two Custom 8s, a 23rd series that was in funeral service and a 22nd series bought from the son of the original owner. Neither showed any signs of anything other than good care of the original features. The pearwood laminate was lacquer covered (which was starting to peel here and there) and both were glossy, though certainly not to the degree shown in that photo.

I've got some pictures of an AACA HPOF 22nd series Custom 2252, this car is extremely well preserved and I'll enclose one of many photos I took of the interior for Mr. Neal's upcoming book. Many more interior photos if you're interested.

Before refinishing yours, you also might wait for Mr. Neal's book and see if any photos or commentary there are useful.

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Thanks Howard and Dave. My '50 looks more like the 22nd series example Dave posted. As Dave suggests, I guess I will wait till my Robert Neal book arrives next month before I make any final decisions. I just thought it didn't look quite right (although very nice).