1953 Packard Clipper Touring Sedan

Description

Ask the Man Who Owns One... That was the famous motto about Packard's quality, and the person everyone inquires about that could now be you, with this affordable 1953 Packard Clipper. Beautifully dressed in black, car crowds love to see these premium classic straight-eight sedans.

Packard has always been an ultra-exclusive marque, so even the "affordable" Clippers were nearing Cadillac levels of luxury, but sold in significantly smaller numbers. That's why this sedan looks so good. It's not just glossy black paint, but it's also all that brightwork that rivals for the shine in the sunlight. These Clippers had plenty of chrome, and this one is complete. Everything is there, including the stylized multi-piece grille/bumper setup, Packard swan hood ornament, trim that seamlessly runs the entire sides, and those distinctive chrome tailfins. This one feels original and bright right down to the Packard factory hubcaps.

Inside the premium feeling continues with a black and gray striped fabric interior that is obviously newer, because its exceptional condition could not possibly be 60+ years old. But the true investment in the seats and matching door panels was about making them new without making it look or feel out of place. That's because the rest of the interior goes directly for the '50s premium Packard style. You feel it the moment you sit behind the stylized factory wheel (with its jewelry-like horn ring), and gaze at the bright factory gauges. Even the heat/defrost controls are classically fashionable in with their chrome switches. In fact, there's an original style radio that comes with this sale so you can fully appreciate this '50s ambiance.

The 288 cubic-inch straight-eight engine fires up with the kind of quickness that tells you there must have been good maintenance. Packard's signature motor features impeccable smoothness, as you'd expect from the biggest name in inline eights. This is a luxury car, so it won't hot rod off the line. Instead, there's swell of torque at any speed, and the automatic transmission needs only to get into high range and stay there, letting the motor's low-RPM grunt do all the work. The engine bay has that honest, original, and driven appearance, which is the style people love to see today. The original downdraft carburetor with oil bath air cleaner still manages the fuel, and the single exhaust system has a pleasant eight-cylinder hum that's totally appropriate. It has all the perfect character for someone who appreciates vintage American luxury.

This is the whitewall cruising classic that will turn heads simply because so few of them are out there on the road anymore. It even comes complete with the owner's manual for those who like to show off paperwork. Who knew this kind of premium vintage could be so affordable! Call today!!