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

I'm going to detail the engine bay on my 23rd series Deluxe Eight (late 1949). I've seen 22nd and 23rd series cars with the engines painted green and I've seen some painted light gray. Did the factory use both colors interchangeably? Or is there a correct color for my car? I hope to show the car this summer, so all help will be appreciated.

Steve

500th time this question has come up? Certainly a frequent one.

Lots of engines out there painted incorrectly. ALL 48 to 54 should be gray with the exception of the 1954 359 engine (bronze) and the faintly possible exception of very early 22nd series 356 engines in green.

Thank you! I'm sure there are a lot of engines painted incorrectly, and now mine doesn't have to be one of them!

Just a thought--if this question comes up a lot, is there space on this website for a section on correct engine colors, and might adding it be worth considering?

The problem with the engine paint is I don't think the vendors all agree on the colors and which models and years used a particular color hence the "some" notation which leads to confusion. Here are a couple of examples..

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A well-respected authority on this is the PI Engine Room Judging Guide, all 48-54 gray except the 54 359. I love our vendors, where would we be without them, but they're not always the impeccable authority and in this case they're waffling.