1950 Packard Eight, Ask the man who owns one!

[@TheSpritz0]

THESE cars must have been AMAZING to go in to a Drive-In movie theater back in the day!!!

[@What.its.like.]

Oh for sure =)

[@williamschoemann4209]

That large round knob under the dash to the right of the steering column is for the overdrive. Pull out to disengage (only when stopped).

[@What.its.like.]

Thank you for the correction I totally messed that up it was right after I said there wasn’t a cow vent on the outside too lol

[@geebs76]

I'm one of the people that thinks Packard lost their way. Their pre-war cars were so beautiful! I never acquired the taste for these so I never paid much attention to them. But it was nice to see your review to understand what I've been ignoring. It looks like it was a comfortable car for the era. In the Would You Rather I would like the 1950 Cadillac and the 1950 Imperial.

[@What.its.like.]

Sweet choices thank you so much for sharing that insight

[@alanbrophy3163]

I have to agree with you I think Packard lost its way post World War II. But that being said I think the 1954 Packard was a gorgeous looking car simple classic lines they seem to have gotten their act back together again but yet by 1956 they were producing oversized Gooney Birds. They just couldn't seem to get it right.

[@philipciaffa6643]

My great-uncle had a 1948 Packard Custom Eight 4-Door Sedan in Black with the folding jump seats, windshield visor and grey wool upholstery. He replaced that vehicle with a 1961 Chevrolet Impala 4-Door Sedan with the slab top and Powerglide automatic transmission. How I loved the Packard! At eight years of age, passing it along to me was not in the cards, and I have always missed it.

[@What.its.like.]

Thank you so much for sharing that story =)

[@MonsterHobbiesModelCarGarage]

@4:17 - I discovered something interesting in an article about the 1948 Packards..... When designing up the 1948 Packard, Packard took a 1941-1947 full sized production car and stuck the red clay that they use for sculpting in the design studio onto the sides, top and rear of the car and then sculpted out the 1948-1950 design right on top of the 1941 car. - For the side profile @4:57 , Packard filled in the area from the top of the fenders where they begin to curve downward and extended the line straight back into the top of the rear fender. They then filled in the area under that line to make the door panels flush to the outer edges between the two fenders. If you notice the roof shape above the trim line where the bottom of the glass and side posts are, it's the same roof for both years of Packards. This also makes sense for the front view profile of the hood shape. 1941-1947 is taller and more slender while 1948-1950 is more rounded. This is the shape you would get if you piled clay along the hood sides and then scooped it out with a round tube or roll for a scooper. You can really see this from looking at your two pictures of the rear of both cars. The 1947 and 1950 practically have interchangeable trunk lids. You can see the shape of the rear fenders starting from the rear bumper on both cars come to the same curvature until they meet the door crease. From there, the 1947 rear fender line curves downward in a typical 1930's style, while the 1950 Packard rear fender seems to "Get Absorbed" into the body sculpting, much like it would if it was filled with clay at those points. If you look at the 1948 tail lights to the 1947, you will see that they are the same light in the same location. The 1950's tail lights are more of a "Stuck on" extension, but the 1948's are the same rectangle. - Also, you can see the same "horizontal line" along the door handles for both cars, but the 1947 vertical lines sink down into the car sides whereas the 1948 vertical lines curve outward to meet the filled in fender lines and then falls down flat to the car sides, as if this area was filled in and smoothed out. So once Packard had the new shape from 1947 to 1948, they transferred the "1947 car with clay on it" to full on sheet metal press molds to produce the 1948-1950 cars. - i found that interesting.

[@What.its.like.]

Awesome information thank you so much for sharing that

[@MonsterHobbiesModelCarGarage]

@@What.its.like. you are welcome. Can you see it though, in the 1950?

[@DL24StaS]

Almost a twin of the Packard owned by an acquaintance of mine until late 2010s. Same colors inside & out, the only noticeable difference is that the one in this video has a manual transmission, and his was equipped with Ultramatic. Looked much better in real life and was a cool classic to drive, but too large for his liking. Wish I bought it when I had the chance !.. Some people tend to strongly dislike the "inverted bathtub" shape that was characteristic of many cars designed during or immediately after WW2, but I like them... well, most of them. The Lincoln is probably the most iconic one, though, and it also has unusual suicide doors in the rear. But that is a tough choice, indeed !.. Chrysler and the "bucktooth" Buick would be a close second.

[@P_RO_]

I like your description of the Buick 😁

[@What.its.like.]

Bucktooth Buick hahaha nice Awesome choices as well as insight =)

[@davidlogansr8007]

The 338 cubic inch Lincoln pulled it pretty good! That Chrysler probably had a first Gen Hemi. And excellent semi automatic

[@ironcladranchandforge7292]

Those flathead straight eight engines were smooth runners. If tuned right, you can stand a nickel up edge wise on the head with the engine running and it wouldn't fall over!!

[@stevelee5724]

Straight 8's sounds so neat. Smooth ! They must be neat to drive ! Could you take us for a ride in one, one day ? Cheers from New Zealand 🇳🇿

[@jsat5609]

Naugahyde was invented in 1914(!), and first sold under the name "Naugahyde" in 1936. You're right; these late 40s through 50 Packards kinda grow on you. They're definitely an acquired taste. I liked them once I got used to them. I think the 51-56 Packards were quite nice, and would hold their own with any other car of the era as far as styling.

[@What.its.like.]

Great information thank you so much for some reason I was thinking Naugahyde was invented in the 50s I didn’t know if it went back that far

[@alanblanes2876]

I'm curious how an automatic transmission car also had a clutch...@@What.its.like.

[@jeffreykurth2703]

The Lincoln then Packard. Nice video.

[@ThomasWBaldwin]

Gorgeous!Worth "28 grand" all day long!

[@neildickson5394]

I like the larger Custom 8 better. Better appointments, longer wheelbase, more stately car. A not altogether successful continuation of the 41 Clipper design, but a big seller. I also personally like the fastback, but I like them all as I'm a tried and true Packard man. When the Packard President George Christopher wanted to put out a revised 51 model based on this design, the Packard Board revolted, and the all new 51's were the result. And, Christopher was retired, and given a copy of his "Pregnant Elephant". That said, Lincoln, Mercury, were similar. And especially the King of bloated roundness of them all Nash. the Packard grill is very similar to 42-48 Lincoln's. Don't forget that famous hood ornament, and most famous of all, that grill shape, on every Packard since 1904. Druthers: Packard in any form, or year

[@What.its.like.]

Awesome insight and information I’ll definitely have to look for a more higher up on the pyramid Packard custom line =) great choices

[@dRockOhio]

I am looking at a 48 Custom and a 49 Super (the long wheelbase). I adore the Custom but the 49 is a better buy and in better condition

[@alexkalish8288]

I have a 49 super, a 55 clipper constellation and a 56 executive in my post war collection, all restored in my shop - Nance killed Packard but Christopher was an idiot as well.

[@neildickson5394]

@@alexkalish8288 I really love Executives, and a close second the Constellation. You have excellent taste. I think Nance tried very hard, but not sure his methods were the best overall. Agree completely about Christopher. Every time I see a Packard taxi in an old movie, I cringe.

[@winstonelston5743]

I saw a '49-'50 Custom Eight for sale at a repair-restoration shop in Hiram, Georgia last week. NOTHING sounds like that big nine-main straight eight. It wasn't running to the balance a Franklin silver-dollar smooth idle, but it was still smoother than anything else I've ever seen from that period. It needed interior work and could benefit from a paint job, but what a ride!

[@pcno2832]

The most fascinating thing about Packard in its last years was the "Torsion Level" self-leveling, active-suspension system, which came out a few years after this car was sold. With all the trouble air-based self-leveling system have had, it's too bad no automakers have re-visited Packard's approach.

[@What.its.like.]

Totally agree 55 and 56 Packard’s are ones that I’ve been holding off on to find a private owner that has one to talk about how the torsion bar suspension works I just found out this year that the Packard offered it across the board I thought it was only offered on senior cars

[@DSP1968]

What a pretty example of a wonderful car! The maroon color really suits it. Thank you for featuring it, Jay. I'll take the Lincoln and the pass on the second choices.

[@What.its.like.]

Cool choice =)

[@JeffreyLepak]

I have owned two Packards from the bathtub era, though both were the earlier 22nd series cars from 1948 to early 1949. The car which is the subject of this video is a 23rd Series introduced in May 1949. These Packards do have a lot to offer. If I were interested in buying one, I would look for Club Sedan(two door fastback)or one of the more expensive models like the top of the line Custom Eight. Check carefully for rust in the trunk and floor pans as these are problem areas with these cars.😊😊

[@What.its.like.]

Awesome thank you so much for sharing your experience with the car as well as sharing what our trouble areas greatly appreciate it

[@middleclassretiree]

Beautifully car jay in the wyr I’ll take the Lincoln and for the second choice it would be the Packard but hopefully it would be the custom eight with the 356 and longer wheel base, thanks for putting these videos together they are greatly appreciated

[@What.its.like.]

Glad you dig this channel man =) Great choices

[@charlesdalton985]

I'm in the minority that likes the bathtub Packards. Like you said, there really aren't any ugly Packards, just some I like more than others. WYR: The first one is tough with the Caddy in the mix, but I'll go Packard (B.I.A.T.P.), the second is a little easier for me - and it's the Packard. Thank you as always - great work putting these together ~ Chuck

[@What.its.like.]

Sweet choices =)

[@nsidor1234]

I've always been a huge Packard fan. They also refered to this era as the "bathtub" Packards. My personal favorites are the Club Sedans. (fastback coupe) Those straight 8s were a bit antiquated by the 1950s but I've been told that they were bulletproof in terms of reliability. In choosing, I'd pick the Packard both times with the Lincoln a close second. (similar styling and i dig the suicide doors) I'd like to find a reprint of that Packard model lineup someday. Thanks for another great video...👍🏁

[@What.its.like.]

Glad you dig this one Definitely going to hit this year again there was a few things that I missed it was super dark in there I need to get a light I’m gonna look into getting one of those halo lights that goes around your camera.

[@nsidor1234]

@@What.its.like. One of those l.e.d. flashlights that clips onto the brim of your ball cap would probably suffice...

[@LarcR]

Ultramatic transmissions could be a real problem, especially resulting from aggressive driving. They got out of adjustment easily and could be real nightmares without aid from the rare Packard mechanic who had mastered the art of adjusting them properly.

[@stephenholland5930]

There are at least 6 of those fold-out brochures available on eBay currently.

[@stephenholland5930]

​@@What.its.like.It looked like the battery was connected on that Packard. Should have tried putting on the running lights so we could have seen the dashboard lit up. 😉

[@philpartin8618]

My brother has that same model car. Wish I had it. He never drives any of his classics anymore.

[@What.its.like.]

He should it’s so fun to drive with a see of plastic.. and you sort of feel like a celebrity I was driving my 52 Chevy 1 ton the other day and I passed somebody and they pulled out their phone and they were just videoing me felt like a celebrity lol

[@stephenholland5930]

Won't he sell it to you?

[@NeedtoSpeak]

My uncle had this model (grey, as I recall). At the time, it was a nice design….conservative. The interior was much nicer than my dad’s Chevrolet! Rode smooth as silk. Very comfort interior. In 1955 he traded it in on a Cadillac, which was a real step up.

[@What.its.like.]

Awesome thank you so much for sharing your uncles car with us =) 55 Cadillac is a nice car as well

[@hedgehog5001]

Packard. A fine brand for the descerning buyer. Lovely motor cars.

[@wallyfronzaglio372]

I love that Packard but I'd choose the Lincoln first and my second choice would be the 50 Packard

[@What.its.like.]

Awesome choices =)

[@Drmcclung]

Packards had the best sounding straight-8 out of everybody, the iconic Packard warble.. Dont know how they did it, but all their displacements have that characteristic Packard warble!

[@tigre7739]

I think is an interesting design and the interior looks amazing, i think I'd sway towards the Lincoln in the first scenario, even though I do like the Caddy also. I'd go with this in the second.😎

[@johnboydTx]

50 Cadillac ❤❤ Buick is good But a 47 Packard 2 door 👍 all day long ❤️❤️❤️👏👏👏 Great Episode 😋 Happy Motoring ✌️🤠

[@jerrycallender7604]

1946 & 1947 Custom Super Clipper Coupe were Packard's Crown Jewels.

[@What.its.like.]

Personally I like the 55 or 56 Caribbean that to me was your swan song car.. and in my opinion best post war packard

[@johnboydTx]

@@What.its.like. Packard Caribbean is a fantastic car 🤔 The Tri color cars are a little to much??? They didn't blend well 🤷.. But that's my only complaint 😊👍

[@retrobilly1719]

I like the styling of these,The Fastback Real Nice

[@What.its.like.]

I totally agree I hope to find a fastback one day

[@kennethanway7979]

The straight engines seem to have very good torque.

[@dancahill8555]

My father had a '50. Drove it for 9 years.

[@towgod7985]

Another gorgeous car, I'am really enjoying your videos. Cheers from Toronto.

[@What.its.like.]

=) glad you dig this channel

[@hunterfalkenberg2837]

I actually really like this era of Packard. Packard gave up some of their prestige to appeal to a larger consumer base (sort of like what mercedes did in the 2000's,) which was one of the reasons for the sort of loss in oppulance with these models, themselves looking more akin to the Ford and Hudson offerings of the time, very much embracing the pontoon almost cartoony cloud like appearance. Personally being a big fan of the 49-51 ford and hudsons I find the These packards very charming, very smooth and curvacious while not sacrficing too much chrome trim or being obnoxious to look at. I do think they could've been more generous with the grille like on the 47 but thats neither here nor there. I'm also a sucker for straight 8's so these being some of the last to be made puts them in a special spot for me. Great video man love to see it

[@What.its.like.]

Thank you so much for all of that personal insight this area of Packard is growing on me to the point where I would potentially buy one I just like the Golden Era better into me the Golden Era is 1934 to 1942.. I also wouldn’t mind a 55 or 56 those are really nice but like I said these are growing on me I definitely dig the fastback version definitely need to cover some of those on the channel as well as wagon Glad you dig this episode =)

[@hunterfalkenberg2837]

@@What.its.like. Like you said, they never made a bad looking car. Definitly make a video on it if you end of up getting a packard someday, we'd all like to see you put one to the pavement I bet

[@ernielaw]

I would make the Packard my top pick from all cars shown, although I would place the Imperial as a close second. I also like the suicide doors on the Cosmopolitan as that sets it apart.

[@What.its.like.]

Sweet choices =)

[@ernielaw]

I'll just make clear that Cosmopolitan was top of the Lincoln line in 1950.

[@kretonslovechild7999]

Cool car but surprised a Packard of this era would come without a radio.

[@jeffmckie7300]

Love that high hood way out front standing proud really classy.

[@johnjackson3800]

The problem with Packard was that it's was saddled with a straight eight engine, not a V-8, like Cadillac, dumpy styling, and no cash.By the time they tried to turn things around, it was already too late for a recover of their former glory. The merger with Studebaker, made the situation even worse, because Studebaker made decisions that contrary to what was happening in the automotive world at the time, this also applies to Hudson. The reason why Nash survived, was because of George Mason running the company.

[@P_RO_]

These weren't prosperous times with the returning GI's having already spent their mustering-out pay and with most now saddled with a home mortgage and growing families. That effect was similar to the depression in most of the less-well-funded car companies merging with whoever would take them on whatever terms they could get. This filtered down to the start of "The Big Three" coming to prominence in the US car market mostly because they had deeper pockets.

[@jsat5609]

@@P_RO_ People wanted new cars after the war, because no new cars were produced during the war. But they didn't want pregnant elephants. They wanted smaller more stylish and more affordable Fords and Chevys and Plymouths, etc. Lack of cash was always a problem with the independents. One can't help but wonder what would have happened if Packard had gone with Nash and Hudson, and become a part of American Motors, instead of merging with Stude.

[@8176morgan]

Packard actually had plenty of cash. As late as the summer of 1953 they had 45 million dollars in market capital. But it went rapidly down hill from there. Poor sales, a very expensive V-8, and a merger with an economically bleeding Studebaker quickly led to its demise as just three years later the company was flat broke when the last Packard left their assembly line in the summer of 1956.

[@jsat5609]

@@8176morgan That makes sense! What I said was based on assumption, and you know what they say about "assume." Packard should have had some kind of cash reserve; they made the Merlin V-12 aircraft engines under license from Rolls Royce for the USAAF's P-51 fighters in WW II. I've heard a lot of bad things about Studebaker over the years from various sources. My dad lived in the Detroit are in the 1940s, and knew an automotive engineer who worked for GM. The engineer had nothing good to say about Studebaker, but spoke well, sometime very highly of some other makes, and not just GM, either. Studebaker should have had some kind of cash reserve from the War years too;' they built umpteen thousand military trucks for the government, many of which went to the USSR under Lend Lease. Packard spent 'way too much on the said V-8, and wound up using it only 2 years! Packard should have left Studebaker strictly alone! Stude was poison.

[@seven_hundred-seven_hundred]

Very nice. Thank you.

[@What.its.like.]

You bet glad you dig this video =)

[@BillofRights1951]

Congrats on your 400th episode....love you guys!!!

[@What.its.like.]

Thank you so much =) can’t wait to see where the format is in the next 400 glad you still dig this channel

[@stanleycostello9610]

I like the cars from say, 1948 to 1952. Nash, Hudson, Packard. They're not Art Deco per say, and they don't have a lot of "gorp" (That's what my Dad used to say. He was a Ford man.) The chrome, especially. More chrome and more chrome...

[@asteverino8569]

'Moon Dance', forgot the artists name. 😢 I like the bloated look with the fastback. Very 40's interior styling, to me. But likable.

[@What.its.like.]

The song is Moondance but Who is the artist

[@phantomforester9337]

I prefer the '50's dash, the Cadillac, and the Imperial. That Ultramatic gave trouble--it was so troublesome, that the Packard club accepts replacement transmissions. Those "pregnant elephant" Packards looked better in the "flesh" than in photographs--their 3D shapes filled put their space impressively.

[@phantomforester9337]

Management at auto companies seems to be continually blind to their own history. @@ericruud9328

[@dRockOhio]

The twin-Ultramatic on V8 cars was the problem; the earlier shiftless Ultramatics were actually pretty bulletproof. Also, Packard never used anyone else’s automatic and were the only Independent to develop their own

[@phantomforester9337]

Okay--you are right--Google says the first Packard automatic transmission was their own, introduced in 1949. Sorry about that--obviously, the Packard I saw with a Hydromatic had had it as a replacement. Gotta be careful there. Thanks for the information.@@dRockOhio

[@mmi16]

Dad had a 49 Packard - recall the radio antenna was a knob at the top middle of the windshield and rotated to raise the antenna or stow it at the breakpoint between the left and right portions of the windshield.

[@stevelee5724]

I Love you Jay dont be disappointed by my previous comment. You deserve big sponsorship Jay ! Please find someone who can get you paid well for these Awsome shows. We love them. A big sign fore and aft of these vids is ok . Just stay cool mate ! Lol Cheers from New Zealand 🇳🇿

[@allenwayne2033]

Sounds like a Sinatra song! Yep, agree, postwar Packards have grown on me but I prefer the 47 (which I assume is a carryover from 42?) over the 50. WYR: 1. Lincoln 2. Packard. Congrats on 100 Jay!!

[@allenwayne2033]

400, I mean. Damn this little keyboard!

[@What.its.like.]

Awesome choices it is a Frank Sinatra song but it’s a cover The music was changed.. I think it might be slightly up beat as well

[@patrickschorre2143]

The next Packard you need to do is a Series 22 Packard Custom Eight Victoria Convertible.

[@What.its.like.]

I totally want to cover that car so you bet =)

[@bparksiii6171]

Love to see that one too.

[@davidtimberlake8812]

Very good video Jay. Nice job. One “miss” you have: you omitted identifying the overdrive engage handle just to the right of the steering column. Very important.

[@What.its.like.]

Happy you dig this video thank you so much for pointing that out

[@ronkemperful]

The styling of the 47 year Packard had better, more purposeful curves and lines. But I liked the taillight design on the 50 better. The flathead engines might not have been as efficient as the later V-8 but flatheads were known as being virtually indestructible. Too bad that Packard dropped the old engine in 55.

[@winstonelston5743]

Changing times, but Packard could have jumped the competition with an OHV twelve. I read one source (many years ago) that indicated Packard was finalizing a 440 cubic inch version of the V8 for the planned 57 models, and that the engineers were studying the feasibility of building a 90-degree twelve-cylinder based on the V8 architecture, using the bore and stroke of the 1955 320 V8.

[@31847448]

I never looked closely cat this vintage Packard. Pop rettyvcool car !

[@What.its.like.]

We try to feature the overlooked cars on this channel

[@MonsterHobbiesModelCarGarage]

When you open the rear door @15:34, you can see the shape of the 1941-1947 front portion of the rear fender and on the door, the big filler piece to cover it for the 1948-1950 body sides.

[@calbob750]

Back in the day every town had a Ford or Chevy dealership. You might have to go to the city to find a Packard dealer.

[@What.its.like.]

Very true

[@umbriago9575]

Had one back in the late 70's, still had the original spare a 16" B F Goodrich super balloon deluxe. smooth ride but don't expect to take more than one fast curve, your not going to finish the first one.

[@What.its.like.]

Awesome thank you so much for sharing your experience with the car what did you think of it did you like it would you own another one?

[@draggonsgate]

Most of the cars of this era followed the pregnant whale styling cues. Some a bit more pronounced than others, It wasn't until around the '53 model year the cars became more slabsided. No blanket hanger! I'm surprised! Other than the ability to have a shorter snout, is there an advantage of the V8 over the Str8-8? Tuneups and basic maintenance is much easier on a str8-6 than a V6, and I would think the same would apply to an 8. Of course, I don't see where many Packard owners would be changing their plugs, points and oil... WYR: 1) Lincoln (I know... shocking, right?!?! lol) 2) Strangely, and I surprised myself, the Imperial... HAPPY 400th!

[@What.its.like.]

Great choices =) 400 episodes in just over two years is kind of crazy..

[@a.leemorrisjr.9255]

Infamous "bathtub" Packards are an acquired taste. '47 styling wise may've been a postwar rehash as it looks similar to a '40-'41 model. I'd likely prefer an early '50s model, perhaps a Carribean convertible.

[@chuckkottke]

1950 Packard 🎉😊!

[@What.its.like.]

Cool choice =)

[@P_RO_]

WYR I absolutely love this style of Caddy, so it gets my vote. Almost any other car instead and it would have been this lovely Packard fastback which is tops for the second choice. This Packard has great and well-balanced styling perfect for the period, and while it may look 'bloated' to some it carries the shape well; large-radius curves were the style of the time and those require space to execute. All these early 'automatic' transmissions were generally somewhat weak and inefficient, which is why most people opted for standard transmissions, not trusting these 'slush-boxes'. As an aside DeLorean got his first taste of mechanical designing with Packard's automatic transmission department, and he made note of their refusal to compromise on doing top-quality work. I like the dash of the 50 better than the 49. My favorite car of 1950 is the Ford, though this Packard is sweet too and I could be happy with it instead.

[@What.its.like.]

Sweet choices and insight =)

[@bparksiii6171]

First choice the 50 Cadillac, the second the 50 Packard, like the 40's style Clipper better in 2 door fastback. Dig this one, nice Packard, best of all it is still original, with its straight 8 and Ultramatic, no hideous wheels, LS engine or "i done it" steering column, or 4L60 automatic.

[@What.its.like.]

I try to find the most original ones as possible.. I concur I don’t like it when people put those hideous wheels on but then of course it depends on the car like 67 mustang with mags is OK or Crager SS on a mid 60s Mustang is acceptable but Craggers on a 50s Packard is not OK as well as any modification wheels on the 30s Packard isn’t cool either..

[@bparksiii6171]

@@What.its.like. Appreciate you finding the original ones that is what the channel is all about. Looking at the auto mall listings at the vehicles, wish I could buy that 60 Buick 2 door, if I could buy it the first thing going in the dumpster is those ugly wheels, and put the correct Buick wheels and small Buick hub caps, and black wall tires and it would look super. Hope you video that 56 Road master, and the 63 Le Sabre 2 door hardtop before they get sold, those I wish I could buy too. Seen plenty of 55-56 Road masters back in the day I called them the poor man's Cadillac.

[@What.its.like.]

That Buick is something they also shave the doorhandles I never got that why do people do modifications that hinder driving experience? I absolutely hate hot rods I think it’s the stupidest concept ever conjured up think about it and say it out loud I am going to cut the roof off my car but put another one on with a windshield it’s only 2 inches tall I’m also going to put a big blower sticking out of the hood so whatever visibility I had is completely gone.. you can’t see anything behind you it’s a really stupid concept that I never got into But I’m not a purist either like I don’t care if people put different engines in their vehicles to make them roadworthy or change out the rear end so they can go faster and get better gas mileage.. and enjoy these cars for more than recreational use hahah

[@ctd92dad]

I love the '47 model ... Its just so classy. These hippos are too large.

[@8176morgan]

I have always considered those post war Packard cars to be the one ugly dog in a great litter of new designs. They sold well at first when there was still a shortage of cars and for car makers it was a seller’s market. But by 1950 when supply had finally caught up with demand the situation rapidly changed, for as the dealers would then proclaim “ You couldn’t give them away!”. The most glaring problem, like the one featured today, was in its’ grille. The Custom however looked alright. I am sure that sales would have been much more brisk if all Packard cars that year had the same grille as seen on the more expensive Custom 8.

[@What.its.like.]

Great insight this era is growing on me I’m not fond of the 51-54 packard either 55-56 to me are the best postwar packards

[@JefferyHall-ct2tr]

Hi Jay!: First thing I want to say is is really DON"T hate the design of these cars, but I think it was not an effective redesign. If the actual cars looked more like the pictures in the brochure, (Longer, Lower, Longer) it might have been better for Packard. The picture on the first WYR shows exactly what I mean. The Lincoln, sure it has kind of weird headlights but it is a more modern looking design than the Packard. The Caddy, while still reminiscent of their models of the last few years is still a better design than the Packard. Those Caddies were SO popular at the time they were out, that a number of folks got together with either neighbors or friends and all went together and bought one and they would share the car on alternate weeks, etc!! That's how popular the postwar Caddies were. They also had that fantastic for the time OHV V-8. The bathtub Packard's stodgy/frumpy design, and the lack of a modern OHV V-8 killed Packard in my opinion. By the time they had a really decent design and their V-8, it was just too late. All that being said. If they were making these cars as well as they did in the day, even with the funny design and the straight eight engine, I, among MANY others would be RUNNING down to the local Packard dealer to buy one for $28,000!! You can't even get crappy modern cars for that nowadays! I would really like to drive one of these bathtub Packards! I bet they ride and drive GREAT and SMOOTHLY! WYR#1 Going Lincoln here (I LIKE it's weird design!) #2 I wanted to pick the Packard SO BAD, then you put in the 1950 Buick!! AAAAAAHHHH! I guess I would really rather have a 1950 Buick!

[@What.its.like.]

Sweet choices yeah totally agree I personally can’t wait to find a fastback model those look really cool

[@dRockOhio]

Thanks for this!! I’m in the market for one of these (plus or minus on generation) and there are SO few “younger” enthusiasts of these cars. (I say that getting ever closer to 40….) Great review. Actually looking at a few of these soon!

[@What.its.like.]

You bet we need to get more young people in the car hobby I think a lot of it has to do with these cars were not shared with people. Unfortunately they don’t understand what they’re missing. One day I hope to have a 30s car I wanna share it with as many people as I possibly can whether that be a Packard or a Chrysler airflow or a Hupmoblie I’m 34 but I’ve always loved the cars that never got talked about this channel is all about covering cars that often times get overlooked .. When I get in a packard sometimes I get watery eyed because it’s the American equivalent to a Rolls-Royce they were made with such quality. It’s not like the appliance cars of today. When you touch the dash it’s made of quality material. It does not move it does not feel like it’s going to disintegrate in your hand . Welcome to this channel/community

[@dRockOhio]

@@What.its.like. love this! You do a great job. My first foray into the orphan car world was a basket case AMC Eagle that became my obsession for the better part of 10 years. My summer daily now is a Mark VII LSC, but I’ve always wanted something 40’s/50’s and always loved Packards. I’ll have to let you know if I pick something up!

[@What.its.like.]

That’s awesome. Did you have a four-door or two-door? I love those they are like the first car to have symmetrical all-wheel-drive. A lot of people think Subaru started that with the outback but that predates it. The lsc is a cool car that I’ve never been in I’ve owned close to 30 cars. My favorite car riding car driving car that I’ve ever owned was an 88 Lincoln town car signature series. If you hit a pothole in the car, you didn’t feel it I might do nostalgia this year if I can find one cheap 160 hp on paper doesn’t sound like a lot but you could have a lot of fun in that car if you know how to drive it =) What do you think of the 55/56 packards

[@dRockOhio]

@@What.its.like. I had a wagon. Actually had two…the first was a pure project though that never materialized. The LSC is such a cool eighties yuppy machine. Mustang GT powertrain, air suspension, multi contouring seats, tire hump. Super weird lol. I like the 55/56’s a lot, particularly styling. Also saying that as a Dick Teague fan. However, I do really want a manual transmission which is hard to find on those. Also, I am stretching my mechanical abilities to begin with, and that doesn’t include learning how to work on a leveling torsion bar suspension 😂

[@What.its.like.]

I really dig the sixes from 1937-1942 they are said to get good gas mileage 20 mpg so you could drive it everyday The only problem is even though that’s a basement level Packard they sell for about the same price as a super eight generally in the 30s and up you might get lucky on Facebook marketplace and find one cheaper. And the other cool thing is people that don’t know Packards will still think that that is a pretty exquisite car even though it was only about $100 more than a Chevy or Ford at the time.

[@stephenlawson2546]

My uncle had a packard near that year looked the same.It was a standard trans. It is not the prettiest. I remember going on a trip with it. It seemed to drive very nice. It is a very nice comfortable ride one of the best I know of. The packard straight 8 is so smooth it is unreal. You missed the best part Jay. You should have taken out for long drive. If you could stay awake the seats are like you said.

[@What.its.like.]

I don’t get to drive a lot of these cars it’s more about the history for me one day I would love to drive some more of these but it’s not an absolute necessity because pretty sure that they all drive different because they all wear out different thank you for sharing your uncles car =)

[@stephenlawson2546]

This is one of those cars that the ride says it all. The running gear is so quite and smooth as silk. Some times I really think Packard was the american rolls royce. I thought about it today allot of standard transmissions were select a noise. The Packard was not.@@What.its.like.

[@stephenlawson2546]

Look at just the doors you have a foot of thickness using the air to insulate from out side noise.

[@What.its.like.]

I totally agree I believe Packard was better than Rolls-Royce was back in the day Rolls-Royce felt very dainty Packard has a very solid feel

[@fredwiley3731]

This is a three speed manual with overdrive. The knob on dash that was pulled out was the overdrive engagement control not the vent knob.

[@What.its.like.]

Thank you so much for the correction that’s generally where the cowl vent is, there isn’t even a cowl vent on this car

[@kenpruvit1037]

jay not my favorite era of packard but still a beutiful car ,It just didn't look as good as the artists renditions (they look swollen ,bulbous overinflated )I wonder if someone took a photo of a real car (same angle)and superimposed it on an artists paintng how far out of wack it really is? another GREAT show thank you P.S. why dont they make big luxury "cars" anymore ??? I WOULD BUY ONE

[@What.its.like.]

I would buy one as well I can’t wait to cover a fastback version of this car

[@LarcR]

you identified an inside handle as a cowl vent control, but had already shown there was no cowl vent. I like the '50 Packard, but definitely prefer the Custom model. The Custom convertible is especially nice.

[@What.its.like.]

Haha You’re right you’re the only one that caught me on that it lol

[@markward6076]

I can't hardly believe a car that old is in complete condition.

[@hcombs0104]

I like the hood ornament...very classy...and the maroon color, but I would go with the Cadillac, then the Buick, for WYR. I kind of like the grille, too, but the overall styling for this and other cars from this time period were a little...stout?

[@luisvelasco316]

WYR: Cadillac, Buick. A fastback would have made Packard my choice. Unfortunate that this car has so much orange peel in the paint, though for some reason just the front half of the car. I like the '47 better for all but the steering wheel.

[@P_RO_]

Not sure if that is orange peel of the paint or if it's rust pitting. Either way it's a shame that the paint looks so bad.

[@timothyhh]

The Packard marketing team seemed really set on making "tramp down" be a thing.

[@allenwayne2033]

Something from Count Basie??? yeah, I know, that's a stretch. Dig the Big Band sound though!

[@What.its.like.]

Great guess not that song or band it’s a cover song of the Frank Sinatra song I guess it’s been covered a lot of times I didn’t realize how many times this song is been covered

[@allenwayne2033]

Sidenote: you obviously are into vintage music so I recommend you learn about the Count Basie Orchestra if your not already familiar. And Sarah Vaughn! She did a killer cover of "April in Paris" with the CBO behind her. A little wine and some candlelight with Sarah and CBO in the background, I guarantee you will have a lovely night with the wife! Ha! Sorry if I'm being inappropriate here!

[@What.its.like.]

Nobody will get it I did a couple vintage songs and nobody got them for the live show I’m gonna go back and see which ones people haven’t gotten and give the answers to anybody that wants to go back and plug them in because if I don’t I’m not gonna remember what they were next year...

[@dwderp]

Nice car with a shameful paint job. It looks like somebody put it on with a roller. Anyway, these really are fantastic cars. And the Ultramatic is a dream on the road. I had a 1951 300 with an Ultramatic and it was incredibly smooth. First round, Packard. Second round, Packard, maybe Imperial. That’s a tough one. At any rate, I find GM’s postwar styling is wearing thin as time goes by.

[@What.its.like.]

I think the paint jobs older somebody else commented and said that it looked like somebody painted over the original and that’s kind of sort of what it looks like in person it’s not a bad car at all it’s pretty original aside from the paint. Sweet choices =)

[@winstonelston5743]

I had a '54 Cavalier with overdrive, beautiful car, great ride, and air conditioned.

[@wallyfronzaglio372]

The song almost sounds like the honey drippers rockin at midnight

[@What.its.like.]

Great its not that song or band

[@8176morgan]

An interesting presentation of what most people considered to be quite an ugly looking car that soon became very unsellable in the car market. Since I would take any car over the bathtub Packard, including a Crosley, for WYR I will choose the 1950 Lincoln, and the 1950 Buick with its big toothy grille. 😁

[@What.its.like.]

Thank you glad you dig this episode you’ve been with the channel for a while you know we go after the ones that get overlooked =) Sweet choices

[@jerrycallender7604]

This car does not have Ultramatic Drive. as advertised, rather 3-speed with Over Drive. When so equipped Ultramatic Drive script would replace Packard script on the trunk lid.

[@What.its.like.]

Great information =)

[@philipfrancis2728]

It also would not have a clutch or a column gearshift!

[@jerrycallender7604]

Without a column gearshift the transmission couldn't be operated.@@philipfrancis2728

[@ralphl7643]

Not a good sign for them if 40k of 42k are the cheaper line. That was how they survived the Depression, but it cost them in the long run.

[@BakedRBeans]

The Ultramatic transmission sounds a lot like the Buick Dynaflow. Am I right?

[@MyHumanWreckage]

Packard was one of America’s greatest manufacturers and one of my all time favourites. So sad they were scammed by Studebaker and met an untimely demise.

[@What.its.like.]

Totally agree on of the three Ps

[@ColtonRMagby]

WYR: All of them.

[@andrewhowarth4578]

Hi Jay. I recently binged on a series of old Packard commercials and dealer training videos and took the opportunity to rewatch this episode. Like you, I was not initially a fan of the "pregnant elephants" but I've come around to the point where this series is one of my favorites. I'd take the Packard in the first "Would You Rather" comparison, but the second is harder - three of my favorite models of the era. I do have one question on the source of your information that the engine is a five-bearing model - some of the Packard ads from the era tout the straight eight as a nine-bearing design. Do you know whether it changed over time? Your channel is one of my very favorites. Andy

[@What.its.like.]

Packard offered different engines.. the best packard engine had 9 mains Thank you andy happy you dig this channel www.conceptcarz.com/s15361/packard-eight.aspx#google_vignette

[@CJColvin]

I would've imagine what Packard would've been like had Ford bought Packard and use it as a division to compete with Buick.

[@What.its.like.]

I think they could’ve still been around one way or another if they would’ve just merged with a better company had they merged with Pierce arrow and peerless things could’ve been way different they could’ve been three peas under one roof

[@CJColvin]

@@What.its.like. Agreed

[@goldenboy5500]

as much as I like packard I would have to go with the chrysler

[@What.its.like.]

Sweet choice

[@jack3inflesh]

These were also known as the “bathtubs”. Definitely not Packard’s best although beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Not very fond of the next generation either. The “Reinardt’s” were named after their designer who came over from Ford……..and brought the styling with him. The last generation was a tad better, as they finally introduced an overhead valve V8 that was very overdue and the torsion bar engineering was a genius idea that gave them a riding edge over the competition. Unfortunately it was too late to save the company.

[@What.its.like.]

Thank you so much for sharing all of that information and insight greatly appreciate it =)

[@robertwatkins364]

I have no idea on the song, is it Mack the Knife Bobby Darrin?

[@What.its.like.]

Great guess it’s not him or that song

[@eddiebennett2994]

These always looked to me like the design team just gave up when they got to the rear of the car. WYR, the Cadillac and the Buick

[@What.its.like.]

Sweet choices =)

[@The1cdccop]

Still elegant, but Packard was circling the drain at this point, being one of the few independent auto manufacturers coming out of the "Great Depression". She built aircraft/boat engines during WW2, but couldn't keep up with GM, Ford and Chrysler after the War. Packard was part of the conglomeration of the other Independent Mfg.'s, Studebaker, Nash and Hudson, in the mid 1950's, which ultimately became AMC.

[@P_RO_]

War production work didn't always pay well, and that ended up killing a lot of the companies involved afterward who had over-expanded to do that job as their investments quickly became nearly worthless in the glut of production facilities now looking for buyers.

[@danielulz1640]

Packard bought Studebaker, but NEVER joined Nash and Hudson in American Motors.

[@What.its.like.]

Packard was better financially than Studebaker the only reason they went under is because they chose the wrong company to merge with..

[@troygoggans5495]

By the time I became old enough to appreciate automobile design the mid 1950 Chevys and Fords had came out. I think the Packards were a dull design with to much chrome and simulate wood to try and compete with the Cadillacs and Lincolns but no where near the quality. They had a reputation as they got older as being expensive to keep running. The in-line 8 was out dated and Hudson stayed with it for too long. I know at one time the Hudsons were popular on the racing circuit which never made it big in rural Texas. There were very few Hudson dealers in my area of Texas so consequently I saw very few as a kid. They do look like the Mercurys of the time period from the side, but then I was never a fan of the bathtub Mercs.

[@aaronwilliams6989]

That's the oldest body style I really like.

[@What.its.like.]

You don’t like anything older than the 50s? They had some stellar designs in the 30s

[@aaronwilliams6989]

@@What.its.like. I do, but I just tend to prefer later designs with some car. And, no, It's not the size, just the body style I like more.

[@winstonelston5743]

@@aaronwilliams6989 The '48-'50 designs were somewhat clumsy compared with the graceful pre-war Clippers designed by Dutch Darrin, but with the notable exceptions of Studebaker and Graham-Paige, just about all the legacy manufacturers stuck with the hippo-mastodon-bathtub school of design until '48-'49. The head of Buick (as it Harlowe Curtice?) is said to have had a nightmare that the senior '49 models would be received less enthusiastically than the Chrysler Airflow had been a quarter of a century earlier, and hedged bets by retaining the prewar styling for the entry-level _Special_ model through 1949. The 1951 Packard "high-pockets" design was as modern as anything on the road, though the grille was somewhat polarizing. The designers were going for a lower. wider version of the three-cusp tiara that had been a Packard trademark since 1904, but it came out looking more like something out of an invertebrate paleontology lab, and tell the truth, doesn't it look like a trilobite's head? Many potential buyers discussed this styling matter with the dealers ("agents") and wrote to Packard marketing requesting a more formal grille so that Packard would stand out alongside the plebian Cadillacs and Lincolns. Packard stylists came up with several proposals,, including _The Predictor_ show car, and "Black Bess," the prototype for the '57 senior cars, carried a vertical blade front-and-center, but (in my not-so-humble opinion) the best looking fusion of a classic Packard grille to a fifties design was Dick Teague's _The Request_ which was based on a '56 Packard Four Hundred coupe.

[@winstonelston5743]

@@What.its.like. have you reviewed the '48-'50 Packard Station Sedan?

[@carlmontney7916]

50 Caddy 50 Packard I love Packard automobiles but.... That hood ornament looks out of place on that car. Just looks too big for the car. That glove box might be the largest one I've ever seen. It's absolutely cavernous. Maybe it's actually for storing boxing gloves? The interior is also super roomy. Good for families. Surprised there's no blanket rope in the interior for the back seat passengers. Pretty cool Packard though. I think the styling is pretty nice on these but many would call it stodgy.

[@What.its.like.]

Great choices I totally agree with you that hood ornament looks a bit out of place I can’t wait to find this in the fast back version these cars are definitely growing on me I think the ugliest Packard are still the ones that come right after this one and the Packard bakers at the end.. The 55 and 56 Packard in my opinion is the most gorgeous Packard they made after the war

[@markchandler1130]

1950 Packard for both

[@What.its.like.]

Sweet choices

[@waggitnshaggit6592]

50 Packard and Chrysler and Artie Shaw no clue lol!

[@What.its.like.]

Nope great guess tho Sweet choices too =)

[@snuffa.luffagus7588]

Caddy then the Lincoln

[@What.its.like.]

Great choices

[@livewire2759]

I gotta go with the GM's again... '50 Cadillac and '50 Buick. The song sounds like something from the "Rat Pack"... I'll take a wild guess and say Sinatra, but I don't know which song.

[@What.its.like.]

Is the cover of a Frank Sinatra song somebody just got it it was Moondance by Michael Bublé

[@livewire2759]

@@What.its.like. Oh... Yeah, I'd have never guessed that... LOL

[@What.its.like.]

It’s a great song

[@amishguy54]

i have to say I am feeling a bit disappointed that you completely ignored describing any thing about the ultramatic drive trans ,this has to be one of the first years available possably 49 but it was big news at the time plus did you even look at the buttons on the dash how many cars do you know of with a clutch button on the dash? could have done better recherching this one

[@winstonelston5743]

WYR PACKARD!

[@hot88s23]

Ok, would it be Michael Buble's version of Moondance ??

[@What.its.like.]

Yep that’s the one Eric beat you for title.. After using it I remembered why I never used it and that’s because I didn’t realize how many covers of that song exist

[@andreamills5852]

Frank Sinatra --Mr Cool ?

[@What.its.like.]

Great yes but no, it It might be a Frank Sinatra song but it isn’t Frank Sinatra singing it

[@drcandor]

Got to like Jz style: the stand-out is the '50 Lincoln, for me, then Chrysler * i'll take the '47 Packard over the '50 on design not mechanical / engineering advancement. . . :>/

[@What.its.like.]

Sweet choices and reasoning behind the choices

[@johnboydTx]

Corrupting your daughter 😱😂👏👏 be careful those convertibles aren't cheap 🤔👍✌️🤠

[@What.its.like.]

Haha she asked to do it most of the time it’s already done =D

[@ROXSTARCorvette4371]

Packard styling was pretty much in line with what a lot of the luxury cars looked like at the time. A chubby if you will and rather dated in the overall presentation with aging technology such as a straight eight engine. It's shame how quickly Packard went downhill.

[@What.its.like.]

Packard to me as one of those companies that died during the war they just like you said lost their way went downhill fast and by the time they figured out how to make a decent car in the 50s it was too late Packard swan song to me is the Caribbean in 55 and 56 vastly underrated car for the longest time they’re just now starting to get some sort of recognition because Leno featured one on his channel 10 years ago.. he might not be the only cause for catching on but he has done a lot for this hobby =)

[@andreamills5852]

Cadi---Chrysler

[@What.its.like.]

Sweet choices =)

[@user-ts1fp4nm9y]

1950 Packard,1050 Imperial

[@What.its.like.]

Sweet choices

[@anthonypopola5773]

Too bad Cadillac dominated in the postwar era, none came close, especially Packard, which never kept up with the times

[@stevelee5724]

Hey Jay. Here in New Zealand we just don't see many if any, of these freaky different cars. We don't see many Americans really. Shame ! Lots of old Fords but fading..... Shame. Back in the 70's my cuz had the only registered '40 De Lux coup ! Now, theres a few. Imported. We just don't see these old discreet vehicle's. Bugger a ! Cheers from New Zealand 🇳🇿