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

Hi Everyone,

I'm a recent "joiner" of this site and my previous postings have been about my search for a 55-56 Patrician or 400.
Well many things happen while looking all over and sometimes we trip over something right in front of us.
The upshot of all that is that I've stumbled across a '51 Packard 200 Deluxe Touring Sedan practically in my own back yard.
My question is how easy is it to get replacement items for a 6 volt system: Bulbs, batteries, voltage regulators etc.?
I'm really taken with the simple elegance of the car and am seriously considering going for it IF I'm not going to have to find a time machine to get parts. I notice there are a lot of pre-V8 Packard owners here so I figure I've come to the right place.
Any help/advice would be really appreciated.

Jim L. in OR

I've had no problems getting 6V parts for my '50. I get most of what I need at NAPA. Battery, bulbs, distributor cap, points, turn indicator flasher, etc. Then there's always Max Merritt and the Kanter Bros.

Napa has just about all the electrical items your would need. Most it stock. They may also have the batteries, but you can for sure find them at Tractor Supply Store as many agricultural machines are still 6v.

Bulbs and stuff like you mention should not be too much of problem. Most of those are universal although your local parts store may not have all of it on the shelf, they can get it. Vendors most likely will have anything out of the ordinary or Packard specific needed. Biggest problem is if you want to add AC, there is nothing that can be done for 6v cars without going thru extraordinary hoops such as full or dual voltage conversions . Radios, stereos whatever can run off an inverter but not AC.

Hi all,

Well, I went out to look at the '51 I mentioned at the start of this thread and was pleasantly surprised. For a 60 year old original, it's in pretty good shape. At some point there was a repaint in a "red" Packard never intended but it was obviously a top drawer job so if I get the car I guess I'll have to learn to like red on a Packard - at least for the foreseeable future.
I do have an interior question that all the photos in the archives failed to clear up. This is a 200 deluxe (trying very hard to be a Patrician, but more about that later) and I was surprised that the door panels, while showing the same pattern in the photos are actually devoid of cloth and the pattern is pressed into the door panel it's self. Is this the way the 200 Deluxe came?
About being a Patrician Wannabe. The car was either a Dealer show room order or ordered by someone who didn't have a garage big enough for one of the 127" WB models. It has the Cormorant Hood Ornament, the three jet louvers on each rear door and quarter panel, the Patrician's chrome fins atop the rear fenders and what really looks like carpeting through out that looks to be as old as the car & there is no evidence of there ever being the standard rubber floor covering anywhere.
I took it out for a drive and it drives well, the Ultramatic does everything it's supposed to do and the engine runs pretty smooth despite having what sounds like a stuck valve (a very rhythmic "chuffing" sound from the exhaust). It was too dark in the garage to see what engine it had and after the drive I simply forgot to check. It does have the oil bath air cleaner and oil filter and what sounded like valve clatter when it was first started, died away fairly quickly; so whatever engine it is, I'm pretty sure it has Hydraulic Lifters.
The temperature gauge stayed where it should have and there was nothing from the idiot lights once the engine started.
I'm thinking really hard about this one. I'd say more, but the last time I shot my mouth off before having the title in my hand, the deal evaporated. I'm not usually superstitous, but......
Any help about the door panels would be appreciated just to satisfy my own curiosity.
Thanks, in advance -

Jim L. in OR

Believe all those chrome items were fairly low cost options and if the purchaser had a chrome fetish, most items were also available from dealers after the fact but that indeed is well equipped. I don't remember what it was called but the pressed in pattern upholstery is correct. Some also had a piece or strip of thin chrome type patterned metal also pressed on the fabric.

There is not a 51 on site but here is a 52 fact bookhttps://www.packardinfo.com/xoops/html/downloads/52DataBook.pdf that might be worth downloading. Except for some fairly minor details, the two years are so very close in the comparable models.

There is also a list of 51-52 optionshttps://www.packardinfo.com/xoops/html/downloads/24-25th_Series_Options.pdf

Jim,
My 51 has the door panels as descibed by you. I'm not sure if it is the same model but my body style number is 2492 if that helps. Parts are pretty easy to come by. The best advice I can give you is Don't over pay.

OK, the one I'm pondering is the 2462 - also a 4dr Sedan. That is real good to know and it probably was used for all the 200's - whatever their trim level. At least I don't have to worry about replacing something that wasn't there to begin with.

Thank you, because of you there is one more point in its favor.

Jim L. in OR

Hi Jim in OR., I live right across the river in Vancouver WA. I have a '51 also and some parts. My cars are stored in Woodland 20 miles north. If I can help you with parts, information, leads, etc., contact me off this forum and we can talk.

Steve Fisher

It seems I have a little bit more to learn about this website. I wrote a reply to Steve's kind offer then tried to upload a picture and it disappeared.
So, without the picture, I'll just say I put a deposit down today on the '51 Packard I've been mentioning. It is in amazing original condition for being 60 years old especially the chrome. As I've said before, I'm not wild about the repaint (almost fire engine red with white top) but someone really spent a lot of money on it whenever it was done and it's held up very well. I did find the original paint in the very back of the trunk. It appears to be "Matador Maroon" which I think would be stunning on this car. When/if I do go for a repaint that is the color I'll try for.
But first it will be making sure the mechanicals are up to par and then enjoying it as a "Fair Weather Sunday" driver.
I forgot to get the VIN when I was out there so when I take possession at the end of the month I will add it to the Registry and work on uploading some pictures.

Cheers,

Jim L. in OR