Packard Forum Index » General

Yup, I know the obvious answer...because they didn't produce many of them...

But in all seriousness...there seem to be MANY more '48-'50 2-door cars out there. And while they have their own charm, IMHO, the Clipper 2-doors are MUCH more attractive (one of the loveliest Packard body styles EVER!).

So, why? Steel shortages? 4-doors are more practical? People didn't like them?

Thoughts, opinions, comments, facts?

You can ask the same question about the coupe-victorias or coupe-sedans or whatever you want to call them, all the way back to the early 30s, perhaps earlier. When is the last time you saw a 1941 conventional-bodied 2-dr sedan (other than in the current issue of AACA's Antique Automobile)? Rare as can be. How about senior ooupe-victorias in the mid-30s? Very rare, readily outsold by convertibles and sedans.

In the lowest priced cars the 2-dr sedan had reasonable popularity, perhaps because it was a way for a family man with limited means to get a car with seating for 3 or 4 without the added expense of a 4-door car. But in the middle and upper price classes they simply didn't have popularity; if you could afford a Packard or Cadillac or similar and needed seating for 4, you bought a 4-door sedan because that's what middle and upper class families rode in. At least that's one way to look at it. I'll be interested to see what others say, good topic.

O_D makes good points. Tho' i believe he's right, also agree with him that it's an interesting topic, and hope to see more on it. Don't forget, club sedan, while in the 1930s, referring to a close-coupled, yet still elegant four door, in Packard's Clipper use, was intended to upscale market the otherwise less-expensive, "entry level" two-door Clipper.

The Duesenberg 120, um, uh, 1936-37 Cord similarly used "Phaeton," which meant an open four door, for their 1936-37 two-door convertible. Whenever you're offering less, a model name suggesting or harking to more helps.

I'm biased, as owner of a '47 Super Clipper four-door, but in my 'umble opine, the 1942-47 two-door club sedans look better on paper. In person, they look a mite man-the-harpoons humpy from the side or rear. This was one (1) time the upper echelon GMobiles got it right. The Cadillac and Buick sedanettes had a sleeker roofline, as did the Bentley R- and S-Type Continentals.

Meanwhile, wonder why the 1942 160 Clipper club and touring sedan are listed with only a 20 lb. shipping weight variance (3,985lbs. vs. 4,005) with the same 20-lb. difference between the '42 180 Clipper club and touring sedan, while their postwar versions are separated by 40 lbs. Obviously the postwar editions are heavier than the '42s because of the clunky bumper extensions and heavy front license plate bracket. But why would the shipping weight variance between postwar club/touring in both Super/Custom Super be twice that of the '42s?


? Anyone?

The factory illustrations of two door sedans looked great thanks to artistic license, but in person they were pretty dowdy. About the only reason to buy one would be to keep suicidals from trying to jump out at speed.

The extra two doors only cost $30 in 1941 (around $750 current). Low priced cars like Chevrolet and Ford sold proportionately more two doors than high priced brands. The survival rate for 110 Packards is pretty low, but that is still were most Packard two door sedans show up.

2 door cars were popular in the lower priced makes because they were a little cheaper. Usually around $50 cheaper. This did not apply so much to cars like Packard, the typical Packard buyer could afford the 4 door sedan easily.

The main market for 2 door sedans and club coupes would be nervous parents who did not want to risk their children accidentally falling out of the car, or childless couples or individuals who seldom carried passengers. Obviously a much smaller market.

I believe the 4 door sedan outsold the 2 door about 5 to 1. Convertibles and station wagons were even less popular.