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

One of my neighbors collected what I think is a 51 Clipper that looks very origional, although a bit weathered from sitting lots of years. It is a 327, 3 speed, 4 door with 3 rear fender scallops. I was bit surprised to see it waring 16" wheels. I'm not too well versed in the post war packards prior to 53 but I don't recall any other 50's American car with 16's. The tires are 700 / 16 Contentals that were probibly there since the 60's. It didn't come with hubcaps. My 52 bodied Henny Jr has 15's. I would have suspected that, if any Packard used 16's it would be the commercial chasses.

Maybe I should trade? Thanks,Tom

G'day Tom,

A quick check of the Packard Model Info here on site, shows either 760 or 800 x 15". But unfortunately it doesn't show any commercial chassis data. Also, from my quick look, there weren't any Clippers in '51 or '52 but there are in '53.

Tom, to add more confusion to the topic, my 141 inch wheelbase 1948 taxi has 15 inch wheels, but my 120 inch wheelbase 1949 taxi has 16 inch wheels. I think the longer wheelbase cars would have used the larger diameter wheels. Maybe Packard had a warehouse full of the 16 inch wheels after production changed over to 15 inch wheels and management decided to use up the 16 inch wheels wherever they could. Packardtaximan