Low Mile Style: 1954 Packard Pacific

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In the 1950s, Packard was losing sales to Lincoln and Cadillac in the luxury hardtop segment. It needed a new, more powerful car. To save money, it refreshed its Mayfair model’s sheet metal with new headlamp rims and chrome nacelles on the taillights. But Packard needed more than that to stand out. In an era of V8 motors, Packard was still running straight eights, and it compromised yet again by redeveloping its existing 327 cu. in. into a one-year-only 359 cu. in. straight eight. This motor put out 212 bhp, respectable if not dazzling. The new model was called the Pacific, in keeping with the theme set up by another of its models, the Caribbean. Here on eBay is a 1954 Packard Pacific for sale, with a Buy It Now price of $46,500. The car is located in Orange Park, Florida. Thanks to Larry D. for the tip! This car has a slightly confusing history. It was purchased from a closed dealership by a family that used it sparingly, then passed via that family’s estate to a close friend who had the car lightly restored including a repaint. However, it is not clear if the seller is that “close friend” or not.

The new car was part of a troika of similar mid-range cars, with slightly downgraded trim levels versus its “senior” offerings. The Pacific received part nylon and part leather upholstery, but a stylish headliner anchored with chrome ribs to evoke a convertible top. This example is said to have just 40,367 actual miles, with an original interior commensurate with relatively low use.

The engine bay is almost show-clean. The motor, as mentioned, put out 212 bhp, but the Ultramatic automatic transmission fitted in the early cars did not serve up a low gear at start-up when Drive was selected. The result was a lazy response, partially defeating all that engine work. Later cars were fitted with “Gear-Start” to solve the problem. The car was original from the factory with a six-volt system but this one has undergone a twelve-volt conversion and now uses an alternator, which is a plus in my opinion. The wipers have been upgraded to electric, and it has a small modern radio installed under the dash. The car is said to run and shift well.

Despite scrambling to address the market, Packard only made 1189 of the Pacific model. Sometimes a rare car is rare only because it didn’t sell well, and that’s the case here. Still, the looks have worn well, with the neat greenhouse and tidy fender line. Only the ponderous bumpers give it away as an older car. What do you think, would this fit in your stable?

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Comments

  1. Rex Kahrs Rex KahrsMember

    Nice writeup, Michelle.

    I’d like to hear Howard’s take on this car, I imagine he and I would probably agree. Yes, Packards of this era were well-made cars, and the venerable straight-8 was a great motor, if not outdated by ’54 as Michelle points out.

    But I would wonder if there is a buyer out there willing to part with 46-large for a 68-year-old parade car. Assuming this car to be a #2 Excellent car, Hagerty has it at 16K, fully 30K less than the seller’s asking price. Good luck bridging that gap.

    Like 23
    • Michelle RandAuthor

      I wish these cars were smaller and not so ponderous to drive. The styling is very European – it was a time when American designers were taking clues from the best in Europe. There are a lot of design cues I just love about this car, but the price is pretty stiff given the mechanicals.

      Like 17
    • Howard A Howard AMember

      Hi Rex, the heck with the car, it’s the authors interests that have me intrigued, Jeeps, old trucks, AND PACKARDS TOO? I think I’ve found my match,,just kidding, but sure is refreshing from the standard “Mustang/Corvette” venue.
      I’m impressed by the authors write-up(s), not much I can add. As mentioned, it’s a sweetheart, but horribly out of date. Our resident Packard expert, Bill, will add his wealth of knowledge, but to scrape the surface, not sure, but I think the “all-new” ’55’s, were supposed to debut in ’54, but manufacturing issues( a strike?) caused the delay, and this car was hastily sold in the meantime. It had many “pre-war” features still, and there were much more modern cars. The motor, dating back to the 30s(?), had a 4 barrel, but the gearbox sucked that up. It wasn’t until ’55, the “Twin-Ultramatic” was a much better trans, redesigned by none other, than a young John Z DeLorean.
      Outdated or not, it’s still a fantastic car, even with many of the same features our 1950 had, it’s a cruiser, and with WW2 engineering, even 10 years later, perhaps I’m a bit partial, but for what it was, there was none better.
      To quell any ill thoughts by the author, these cars are surprisingly easy to drive. I read, ’54, they did away with the “stomp the gas pedal” to start( always flooding a hot motor) to a key start, and handle reasonably well. Stopping the beast, takes some getting used to, but hey, somehow we made it. Thanks again, MIchelle.

      Like 15
      • Michelle Rand

        Thanks Howard! But sad to say anything on wheels catches my interest, kinda eclectic that way…..

        Like 7
  2. Harry Allen

    I have always liked the Packard and their basically (to me) bullet proof demeanor. I had a 51 which I really liked driving simply because it was like sitting on your Couch holding a steering wheel. It was by far no performance car but QUIET as all get out. It was a straight 8 Automatic and on /off key with a push button start.

    Like 7
  3. Larry D

    I’ve been watching this seller on ebay for years. He always has cars that appeal to me. But he started saying years ago that their family were thinning out some of the cars in their collection.

    Well, he’s been thinning them out for years now. So I sort of suspect a flipper here. He always makes sure to point out the he is NOT a dealer.

    All I can say is they must have had one huge collection of cars.

    Like 2
  4. KurtMember

    Having owned a 23rd series Super 8, I can say these cars represent a period in U.S. history we shall never see again. Gas was cheap. Safety meant wrapping yourself in a battleships worth of steel, iron, and good intentions. That straight 8 weighs as much as most Asian imports.

    Like 6
  5. Bruce Kobrin

    The 1954 Packard is much expensive the condition of this car.In my option it’s not worth more than $10,000 if it checks out Bruce K

    Like 0
  6. Solosolo UK SolosoloMember

    Much better looking than most of the other Packards from that era. IMHO.

    Like 5
    • KurtMember

      Agree! Sure beats the catfish look of the 1958 Packardbaker or the bath tub Porsche on steroids look of the 23rd series.

      Like 0
  7. Robert Starinsky

    A relatively basic, nicely styled Packard model, but it is terribly overpriced, even for a two door.

    Like 2
    • Larry D

      @Robert Starinsky
      Yes, it is terribly overpriced even in today’s market. I would call it the wrong car at the right time. The demand for 50s cars is soft now at best except for exceptional examples of rare and desirable models. And ’54 Packards don’t fall into that group. Here is what the current Hagerty Price lists for this car:

      1954 Packard Pacific
      2dr Hardtop Coupe

      8-cyl. 359cid/212hp 4bbl

      #1 Concours condition-$32,900

      #2 Excellent condition-$16,200

      #3 Good condition-$9400

      #4 Fair condition-$5900

      I am shocked at the disparity between Coucours and Excellent conditions. Half price??

      Like 3
  8. Bill McCoskey Bill McCoskeyMember

    As luck would have it, the Packard club’s national meet is in my backyard this year, and I’ve been getting my fix of the marque over the last few days, with the big show on Saturday the 9th [At Woodlawn Plantation in Arlington, VA, public is welcome].

    As for this Pacific, the 1954 was the pinnacle of the Packard 9-main bearing eight increased from 327 to 359 cubic inches, with a 4 barrel carb and aluminum head. These cars did have overheating issues in later years, the problems were due mostly to poor service and a lack of understanding of what cars with alloy heads required for coolant. But today these issues should no longer be any worry, and if they’ve been properly gone over, should be very reliable tour cars.

    This was the 4th year for the body re-design after the slab sided 23rd series of 1950, and the result was well received by the buying public. For 1954 the hardtop was renamed the Pacific, and elevated to the senior level of trim and mechanicals. Packard was setting the stage for the new senior 1955 Packard 400 2-door hardtop, while the Clipper Super and Custom lines had their mid-priced versions of the 2-door hardtop.

    But is it worth $46,500? Not long ago on Hemmings an almost identical Pacific sold for $30,00, in a similar state of restoration, and it had very rare and sought after factory air conditioning, along with power windows & seat.

    Like 9

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