1949 Packard Eight Club Sedan

by

Model number: 239

Review of the model:

The cars of the late 1940’ and early 1950’ have a special vibe over them. A look forward to; hope, prosperity and futuristic living. All that reflected in the design of the different car makers and a start of competitions among the sale departments. Many small seeds were planted, that later became hallmarks of design features, such as jet and space age technology. Yes the future was just around the corner.

The German owned model maker Best of Show aka BOS- Models is a brand that is willing to make the small and quirky models of cars that maybe not always first comes to our minds, but have something to say in the history of the motorcar both in Europe and in the United States. This is very true for the resin model of the 1949 Packard Eight Sedan. This pretty yellow model is a gem of its own, and if you collect US model cars like me, I will say The 1949 Packard most have a place on the shelf.

The range of different models from BOS had been increasing at the start, but now here in 2022 the models have been a lot more difficult to purchase all over. It can be because of Covid and the global shipping crises. I think it can also be the high and lows of the company Chinese quality control that has been very very poor. My 1:18 resin collection from BOS is growing, but when I open the Styropor inner box my reaction is sometime more of relaxed joy over the model is okay, than the excitement of the new model to the collection! – This can be a nerve wrecking experience – and may also hold fellow collectors from buying from this maker. I will say to this date I have only received one of thirteen models from BOS that had to be sent back due to missing parts etc. However some of my models had loose parts like bumpers lying around the box. But the worst issues BOS-models can have are the unglued or misplaced fragile windows; luckily I have not any models with this failure! The model body is not easy to dissemble as the process of assemble are made with the use of hot-gun glue!

But after all the concerns of the above – when the model is perfect, it’s a joy! The casting is perfect and the paint is flawless and shines like a real car. The chrome parts are very realistic, apart from the trim around the windows and a lower trim on the body. As a resin model no parts can be open and there is no working suspension as well. However the lights, emblems, hubcaps and wheels are second to none. The interior is well made too, with a tasteful color to the yellow exterior. I am very glad of my 1949 Packard Eight Sedan and look forward to have it with me, in some photo session out in the open.

I will give this model 5 out of 6 stars  ******

Below here are pictures of the model, historical description, old brochures, technical data and a little movie clip for the real car. So please enjoy!

- you just did!

Very clear windows with no distortions 

History and Technical specification:

By the end of World War II, Packard was in excellent financial condition with assets of around $33 million, but several management mistakes became more apparent with time. Like other US automobile companies, Packard resumed civilian car production in late 1945, labeling them as 1946 models by modestly updating their 1942 models. As only tooling for the Clipper was at hand, the Senior-series cars were not rescheduled. One version of the story is that the Senior dies were left outdoors to rust and were not usable. Another tale is that Roosevelt gave Stalin the dies for the Senior series, but the ZiS-110 state limousines were a separate design.

The Clipper became outdated as the new envelope bodies started appearing, led by Studebaker and Kaiser-Frazer. Had they been a European carmaker, this would have been immaterial. They could have continued offering the classic shape similar to the later Rolls-Royce with its vertical grill. Although Packard was in solid financial condition as the war ended, they had not sold enough cars to pay the cost of tooling for the 1941 design. While most automakers were able to introduce new vehicles for 1948–49, Packard could not until 1951. Hence they updated by adding sheet metal to the existing body (which added 200 lb (91 kg) of curb weight). Six-cylinder cars were dropped for the home market, and a convertible was added. These new designs hid their relationship to the Clipper. Even that name was dropped for a while.

The design chosen was a "bathtub" type. While this was considered futuristic during the war and the concept was taken further with the 1949 Nash, and survived for decades in the Saab 92-96 in Europe, the 1948–1950 Packard styling was polarizing. To some, it was sleek and blended classic with modern. Others nicknamed it the "pregnant elephant". Test driver for Modern Mechanix, Tom McCahill, referred to the newly-designed Packard as "a goat" and "a dowager in a Queen Mary hat". Packard sold 2,000 vehicles for 1948 and 116,000 of the 1949 models. In the early post-WWII years, the demand for new cars was extremely high, and nearly any vehicle would sell. Attempting to maintain strong sales beyond this point would prove more problematic.

Cadillac's new 1948 cars had sleek, aircraft-inspired styling that immediately made Packard's "bathtub" styling seem old-fashioned. Cadillac also debuted a brand-new OHV V8 engine in 1949 which gave their cars a reputation for performance that Packard's dependable, but aging inline eight engines couldn't match. The lack of a modern powerplant would prove an increasing liability for Packard as the 1950s unfolded.
 

1949 Packards - General
Both model year and calendar year sales totals were 59,390 vehicles for Series 23 - which was introduced in May of 1949 and sold as "late" 1949 cars. Another 53,975 Series 22 cars were sold in the 1949 year - for total annual sales of 112,865. Packard also celebrated its 50th year as an automaker in 1949. As part of the ceremonies surrounding this anniversary, 2,000 cars were finished in non-standard custom gold paint and were later part of a parade at the Packard Proving Grounds to honor the company's accomplishments.
In October 1949, George T. Christopher retired from the company. Hugh Ferry was elected to fill the open post in December, 1949. He would attempt to hire James J. Nance away from General Electric Company to assume the Packard presidency.

Packard Models -

1949 Standard Eight and Deluxe Eight (8-CYL) - SERIES 23
The twenty-third Series "Golden Anniversary" models were available in May, 1949. They looked much like the previous cars, but had some noticeable differences. The front bumpers had chromed centers, instead of the painted type used in 1948. A thin spear of chrome ran down the middle of the body sides, stopping just forward of the tail lamps on base Packard Eights. Above this molding, on the front fenders, Packard block lettering appeared and was underlined in chrome. The taillight lenses were set in protruding, oval-shaped bright metal housings, except on station sedans.
The size of the rear window was enlarged 33 percent. Inside, oval clutch/brake pedals were used. A "Packard" nameplate was placed between the speedometer and clock. An illuminated switch turned the engine on. The DeLuxe Eight had chromed 13" diameter hubcaps, as compared to the Standard Eight's 10" type. A "Goddess of Speed" hood ornament was standard on both levels of trim. An automatic transmission was introduced in November 1949 for all models. The 120" wheelbase was continued.

1949 Super and Super Deluxe Eight (8-CYL) - SERIES 23

The Super Eight was trimmed somewhat like lower series cars, sharing the same horizontal grille, "Goddess of Speed" hood ornament and a chrome molding below the windows that stopped at the rear fender center. However, it had a slightly longer body side spear molding, which overlapped the tail lamp housings. The Super Deluxe was a new model. It was, much like a short "Custom Eight". For example, it had front and rear egg crate grilles; cast chromium extensions from the upper belt molding to windshield wipers; bullet type bumper guards; pelican hood ornament and ivory-colored Tenite steering wheel with plated, inlaid hand grips.
Seats were upholstered in rich, pin-striped wool cloth with bolster type back rests and door panels. The instrument panel, upper seat back panels and window frames had wood-grained finish. Standard equipment included fender shrouds; wheel trim rings; day/night rear view mirror; "Select-O-Matic" spring cushions and added acoustical insulation. The Convertible Victoria was appointed in similar fashion, but limousines had the standard Super type bar grille.

1949 Custom Eight (8-CYL) - SERIES 23

On Custom Eights, the chrome molding below the windows extended completely down the rear fenders and around the trunk lid. This was the only major external distinction over Super Deluxe Eights, along with the use of cloisonne hub cap medallions as a standard feature. Color-keyed Bedford cloth and leather upholstery combinations were exclusive interior trim found on Custom Eights. Ultramatic automatic transmission became standard equipment on this model. After November 1949, it was made an available option on other Packards.
Engines
• Standard and DeLuxe Eight. Inline, L-Head Eight. Cast iron block. Displacement: 288 cid. Bore and stroke: 3.50" x 3.75". Compression ratio: 7.0:1. Brake horsepower: 135 @ 3600 RPM. Five main bearings. Solid valve lifters. Carburetor: Carter Type WDO two-barrel Model 644S.

• Super and Super Deluxe Eight. Inline, L-Head Eight. Cast iron block. Displacement: 327 cid. Bore and stroke: 3.5" x 4.25" inches. Compression ratio: 7.0:1. Brake horsepower: 150 @ 3600 RPM. Solid valve lifters. Five main bearings. Carburetor: Carter Type WDO two-barrel Model 643A.
• Custom Eight. Inline, L-Head Eight. Cast iron block. Displacement: 356 cid. Bore and stroke: 3.5" x 4.625". Compression ratio: 7.0:1. Brake horsepower: 170 @ 3600 RPM. Nine main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Carburetor: Carter Type WDO two-barrel Model 531S or 531A.

Powertrain Options
• Overdrive ($92).
• "Electronic" clutch with overdrive ($128).
• Ultramatic Drive ($225).
• Oil bath air cleaner (standard on Super and Custom).
• Rear axle ratios: 3.54:1. 3.90:1, 4.09:1, 4.1:1 and 4.36:1.
Significant Options
• Heater and defroster.
• Six-tube radio.
• DeLuxe eight-tube radio.
• Roof-mount radio antenna.
• Cowl-mount radio antenna.
• Custom sun visor.
• Traffic light view finder.
• Coat hooks.
• Dual vanity mirrors.
• Emergency brake alarm.
• Cormorant hood ornament (unless standard).
• Rear wheel skirts (unless standard).
• Tissue dispenser.
• Road lamps.
• Fog lamps.
• Rear seat draft deflectors on four-door sedans.
• Cloisenne hub cap medallions (except standard Customs).
• "Vent-I-Shades".
• License plate frames.
• Gasoline filler panel guard.
• Door edge guards.
• Spare tire valve extension.
• Outside rear view mirrors (right or/and left-hand).
• Plaque with original owner initials.
• Vacuum type radio antenna.
• Fuse kit.
• Trouble light.
• Exhaust deflector.
• Wheel blocks.
• Curb feelers.
• Under hood light.
• Spotlight.
• Wheel trim rings.
• Rear bumper guard and protection rail.
• Select-O-Spring seat inserts.
• Two-tone finish.
• White sidewall tires.
Chassis
• Wheelbase: Series 2301 = 120"; Series Series 2302, 2332, 2306 and 2333 = 127"; Series Series 2322 = 141".
• Overall length: Series 2301 204.6875", 2332 = 225.6875"; Series 2302 and 2332 = 211.6875"; Series 2206 and 2233 = 215.625"; Series 2306 and 2333 = 213.25".
• Front tread: Standard/DeLuxe and Supers = 59.594"; Custom = 60.094".
• Rear tread: All = 60.719".
• Tires: Station Sedan 7.00 x 15; Eights and Supers - 7.60 x 15; Super DeLuxe 8.00 x 15; Super Convertible and all Custom 8.20 x 15.

This model car is the:

2275-9 - Super Eight Club Sedan
The Super Eight models have large belt line molding, and no trim on the hood. The tail lights are flush mounted in the rear fenders. The cars also have a horizontal bar style front grille. All Super Eight models have the 327 engine. *Total for all Super Eight (120 WB) Models Combined

SERIES: 22nd
YEAR: 1949
WB: 120
MODEL/CHASSIS: 2202
CARBURETOR: Carter WDO 643S
ENGINE: 327
CYLINDERS: 8
HP: 145
WEIGHT: 3,790
MSRP: $2,792
TOTAL PRODUCTION: 1800
PASSENGERS: 6
GND VOLTAGE: +6
TIRE SIZE: 7.60x15


 

Old brochures of the car

1949 Packard promo picture

1949 Packard promo picture

1949 Packard promo picture

1949 Packard promo picture

Video of the real car from YouTube

1949 Packard Eight

If you have any question or comment your are free to contact me at: aeronautic@stofanet.dk

Dealers are welcome to get their models reviewed too.

Aeronautic Jan. 2022

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