FOR SALE: 1950 Packard Standard Eight Sedan

With its unique style, the '50s Packard Standard Eight Sedan certainly turns heads. This example is believed to be the only one of its vintage still running in South Africa and is in excellent condition given its age.

FAST FACTS

Year and Make/Model: 1950 Packard Standard Eight Sedan

Engine: 4.7L 8-cylinder petrol

Transmission: 3-speed manual

Mileage: n/a (restored)

Colour: Green

Location: Johannesburg

PRICE: R120 000 (SOLD)

The so-called bathtub Packards were well received in their day. Their style was right in fashion along with the similar looking 1946-1950 Kaiser and Frazer, the 1949-51 Mercury and Lincoln, the 1948-54 Hudson, and 1949-51 Nash.

Following WWII, America’s independent auto manufacturers worked feverishly to beat the ‘Big Three’ to the market with completely new designs, and Packard was no exception. Packard’s first all-new post-war car, the 22nd Series, debuted on 25 July 1947. They were styled at the Briggs Manufacturing Company, Packard’s body supplier, under chief designer Albert Prance, and the new style combined the slab-sided modern idiom with a horizontal version of Packard’s traditional grille.

The first model to enter production was the Convertible Victoria, which was a body style that had been absent from the catalogue since the war.

The new streamlined Packard received its share of accolades in the day. The Fashion Academy of New York deemed it the Fashion Car of the Year, and it was awarded prizes at shows in Caracas, Luzerne, Sofia, and Monte Carlo. The ‘bathtub’ Packards were somewhat polarizing in the period but are recognized today as some of the most beautiful and pure designs of the years immediately following World War II.

This example

This rare 1950 Packard Standard 8 sedan is believed to be the only 1950 variant still running in South Africa. This is a restored car, and the original owner is  believed to have been a wealthy farmer from Bethlehem in the Free State.

This car has the original flathead 288 cu in (4.7 L) straight-eight producing 135 hp (101 kW) at 3600 rpm with a 7.0:1 compression ratio. According to the owner, the engine is in an excellent condition for its age.

The clutch and drivetrain, too, are in very good, reliable condition. It has a 3-speed column shift manual transmission. The radiator has been re-cored completely. The car was converted to a 12-volt system from the original 6-volt positive ground system and all electric equipment (except the valve radio) is working. The exhaust system is stainless steel.
 
Although the paintwork needs attention, the chrome is perfect and there is NO rust or accident damage.
 
The interior is in very good condition with new, full leather upholstery and faux woodgrain of a high standard. The headlining is original. Although there is no carpet in the trunk, it is rust free. The original bumper jack is included.

Tyres (including spare) and brakes are very good.
 
It has the standard hood ornament -  the Goddess of Speed (popularly known as the “donut-pusher”).

NOTE: The above information was supplied by the dealer currently advertising this vehicle and has not been verified by SentiMETAL/Cars.co.za.