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

Well, I think we have settled that the 1951 louvers were di-cast and 1952-53 were stainless. So far there have been 20 entries on this thread - and not a single VIN to help pin down the change from 4 to 3 on the 1951 cars. Any VIN is useful, by the way. It does not have to be known to close to the switch.

Also - anyone ever seen or have record of a 1951 250 with no louvers at all that actually reached customer hands. There are factory pictures of early cars so done, and the first Packard ad showing a convertible pictured one. Also the original dealer brochure pictured one.

On '53 I think that they started at the beginning of production year to have them on the Mayfair and Convertibles, but that was discontinued at some point. So only a the early cars got out the door with them before the were dropped.

Every '53 Mayfair and Convertible I have seen in person has NOT had them, even though the sales illustration literature shows them. But these were usually don't before the cars went into production, and don't reflect running changes that happened usually.

My '52 Mayfair has four stainless pointed "pop bottle openers" but I'm sure the dealer added the fourth. I DO like the look of the four as it continues the belt line to the rear better, amazingly giving the car a longer look.
I have never seen a Mayfair or Convertible without the "openers", but I suppose it is possible that very early '51's were without them as Packard was famous for their "evolution" of models. I once had a late run # '54 Clipper Deluxe with some Super trim pieces. I was told that some Super trim parts were installed on the late run Deluxes because of an overrun and they wanted to use them up.

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I noticed you have 1954 headlight doors on your 52. Looks great. Our 52 Mayfair came off the showroom floor and only had three louvres per quarter panel.

Randy, someone asked me why I have those cool, finned '54 headlight doors on my '52 and I just replied, "because I like them"! I love the styling and they match the rear fender fins perfectly! It slso has a '54 trunk handle (lower), hood ornament and senior cloisone wheel covers for the same reason. Actually it's a Pacific wanna-be as I could never find one of that I could afford, so... I'm happy.

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Big Kev - I looked at the owner registry at the 2677 and 2679 to see what was there. There are six 2677 cars shown. Five have no louvers and one has three. They seem to look proper but 2677-5978 has louvers (fairly high # car) and 2677-5943 has none. Neither do 3512 and 4570. One would expect louvers on early and not late cars.

There are five 2679 cars shown. One has three louvers (PACDON but no VIN) Four have no louvers.

Danny Z - Looking at your car I suspect you are correct that the dealer added a louver. The spacing seems to indicate it was added at the rear. Looks good.

Robert

I learned to drive in this car. I'm thankful Mom was a packrat.

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Found this while looking for something else.

packardinfo.com/xoops/html/downloads/SC/SC-VOL28NO3.pdf

It shows the front fender trim location.

Randy, I have the original sales recept for ours...it was still in the glovebox when we bought her!

This picture caught my eye. It shows 3 and 4 "bottle openers" on these cars!

packardinfo.com/xoops/html/uploads/photos/8896.jpg