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Hey all I've come to notice almost every patrician 400 I see has the winged hood ornament yet mine does not. Is it just a lower end ornament?

Okay the forum didn't post my pictures... weird..

Picture posting can be a little confusing. Make sure the steps are followed. Herehttps://packardinfo.com/xoops/html/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?post_id=71054#forumpost71054 are some quick instructions and believe there is more detail in the FAQ.

The vertical stretched out & up wings were thru 51 and undoubtedly were available later if an owner desired to get those. The laid back wings were introduced for 52 and for the most part, a version of those was used till the end. Some of the cormorant was still present in form but very stylized even on the V8's. They did have some "streamlined" ornaments thru the years.

When you get your pictures to work, someone can give more info.

This may help in visualizing the different ones:





These are basically all the Senior ornaments. Juniors could upgrade to the Senior ones. But putting an earlier Senior on on a later model would be technically incorrect.

Here's a true story:

Years ago I went on a pick up of a beautiful original 250 convertible with stick/OD. It was an estate car and the original owner's niece explained that her uncle didn't like the Pelican ornament and requested the Rocket. It was written up on the dealer invoice that came with the car.

How's that?

In BigKev's illustrations above the ornament marked '42-'50 is actually a '51 only with its long base. 1952 is a '52 Senior ornament which sits on the same long base as the '51, has the same cormorant body but has the horizontal wings., the 1954 is a '53-'54 Senior.

As far as the statement that earlier ornaments were available (on a new car) if the owner wanted one, sort of yes. If a dealer was asked to make a modification in order to sell a $3000 car I'm sure most would. However that does not make it correct or original.

Thanks Fred for pointing out my omission and the clarification. As usual, me being long winded and trying brief always leaves something out.

As I should have said, a particular part, accessory or color may not be correct for a certain year or model but if it could be obtained and successfully installed and was the difference between selling a car or not, there is very little -- short of wheeling and dealing as Nance complained about later on -- that a Packard dealer wouldn't do to sell. That's the part I neglected to say with "if an owner desired to get those".

I think the dealer installed GM Autronic eye (and the story behind it) that is on a V8 Packard tells it all.

Trying the pictures again...

Yes the bright red eclipse in the background is my other car, don't make fun.

Anyway, as bikev was saying if this is correct for the year then it stays, as much as I love the 54 style.

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Unfortunately she looks WAY better in pictures then she does in real life, but don't get me wrong not a single floor or spot in the trunk is rusted through :)

I saw that the "rocket" hood ornament was referred to as the "rocket hood ornament". Just want to clarify that it is actually called the "goddess of speed" hood ornament. Just to add some knowledge.