Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

The 48-50 Customs were a nicer car in many ways than the later Patricians especially the 1951-52. The interiors especially were the highest quality of any car made in that era and the 356 engine was one of Packards finest efforts. I recall an article that I have somewhere written by Richard Langworth in Collector Car magazine comparing the very low mileage 48 Custom and 51 Patrician. I think he concluded that it was a tie considering design, quality and performance. I agree with Owen that the Clipper styling could have been kept through the 1948-50 period and with addition of a convertible would have been a better choice than the bulbous 48-50's. I never liked that big wide grille of the 51-54's either and think Packard could have incorporated the thin '47 Packard grille with tradition yoke shape and not lost this identifying feature that was a Packard trademark for almost 40 years or so. Oh well it's all water under the bridge so long ago but still fun to discuss.