1951 Packard 250

Description

Legendary Packard prestige and luxury made affordable was the 250's mission in 1951, and as this elegant, sporting convertible demonstrates, it's just as true today. Only 2,572 Series 250 convertibles were built in 1951, making this a rare car with legendary straight-8 power and undeniable Packard presence.

The all-new 250 was designed to be a low-cost Packard, but everything's relative, as it still cost as much as a Cadillac in 1951. The styling was conservative as ever, but with a handsome, rounded look that would serve until 1956 when Packard merged with Studebaker in a last attempt to stay alive. Wearing period-appropriate burgundy paint, this handsome convertible has a look that commands attention beyond your average Fords and Chevys and when parked next to a comparable Cadillac of the period, you can see where the money was spent. The exterior is very good, with straight bodywork and good panel alignment, suggesting that this car, like most Packards, lived an easy life with people who loved it.

The interior isn't entirely authentic, but they did work to get the look right using a combination of pleats and flat panels, and the cloth upholstery is quite comfortable when the sun is overhead. Matching door panels were created at the same time, and there's plenty of bright trim to make the Packard feel special inside. A big color-matched steering wheel frames three gauges with all the vitals and simple brushed metal faces, as was the fashion in the early '50s. The shifter controls Packard's "Ultramatic" automatic transmission and operation feels quite modern, so getting this one out on the road is easy, even for first-timers. The center stack houses the AM radio and heater controls, proving that nothing much has changed in the past six decades. The upholstery is in excellent condition with minimal wear, the carpets look almost new, and like the exterior, everything looks about the same age and condition so it's quite a pleasant place to spend some time. The convertible top is an older replacement unit, but it folds easily and seals up well enough to make this a no-fear car on tour.

Packard's bulletproof 327 cubic inch straight-8 is as smooth and torquey here as you'd expect. It starts with a muscular 8-cylinder burble and moves the car with an uncanny ease that was surely engineered into it. The engine bay was obviously well-detailed when it was restored and shows minor signs of use today, but all of the original equipment is intact, from the oil bath air cleaner to the accessory oil filter on the side of the block. The Ultramatic automatic transmission shifts almost imperceptibly and this car gathers momentum so easily that you'll often find yourself going 10 MPH faster than you thought. The underside is clean and covered in satin black for a low-maintenance look, and it appears to have a recent reproduction exhaust system that sounds right. Flashy H78-15 wide whitewalls with traditional Packard wheel covers give it an authentic period look.

Compared to other luxury cars of the era, this Packard is rare and powerful and offers tremendous value for the money. Call today!