Although the end was near for the Packard automobile by the decade’s end, the company was still turning out some great cars in the mid-fifties including the one-year-only Pacific, a two-door hardtop billed as a 1954 model. They’re pretty rare too, as just under 1,200 were produced during the car’s brief run, with the seller claiming only around 50 are still surviving, so if you’ve been hunting for a nice example this one would for sure be worth checking out. The car is out west in Tempe, Arizona, and can be seen here on eBay where bidding has reached $4,494, still shy of its reserve. We’d like to thank reader T.J. for spotting this one and bringing it to our attention!
The seller purchased the Pacific in 2016 but says that prior to his acquisition it had been a one-family-owned car since new, with the original owner having performed a restoration in the mid-nineties which included a take-down of the body to bare metal. The paint is said to still be in excellent condition, as is the chrome, and the entire exterior presents very nicely from every angle we can see. The wheels and new Coker whitewall radials are looking mighty fine as well.
Standard equipment in the Pacific was a 359 under the hood, the largest displacement straight-8 ever offered by Packard, which included a lightweight aluminum head and produced over 200 horsepower. This engine also underwent a complete rebuild in the 90s during the same time frame when the body was stripped but has also recently received some additional attention, including new Pertronix electronic ignition, a rebuilt generator, carburetor, and fuel pump, plus an additional electric fuel pump was added as a back-up. The car is said to leak some fluids, so some gasket and seal replacements are in store for the next owner.
The only things specifically mentioned about the car’s interior are that it’s original, clean, and includes leather seats, which were standard on the Pacific. To have not been refreshed, everything in there seems to have held up exceptionally well, with the armrest on the door panels seeming to show the most wear, though even those aren’t too bad. This one’s a real beauty in my book, and I’m envisioning just replacing those leaky seals and enjoying just like it is. What do you think? Any speculation on where the seller may have set his reserve?
What a beauty!
“Trailer Queen” versions were selling at the car shows and such for $40K a few years ago but the majority of us of age to appreciate something like this don’t all have the disposable income that we did a few years ago. As such the prices have dropped some to where $35K is about what this may bring IMHO.
There’s a 25k buy it now option the author didn’t mention
Disposable income now? I have lost nearly 35% of my IRA. Poor times indeed.
My uncle had a Packard like this in the 1970’s. Same color combo. I rode to town in it. Beautiful car. Still had the smell of rich leather. Not sure the year he sold it. He had an array of odd collector cars all in very clean and near mint condition.
Must be very heartbreaking when your collector car in blue chip condition tanks in value and interest.
The 50’s cars are losing value as the ’80s are increasing. Discretionary spending on memories dictates the value collectors are willing to pay IMHO. I’ve witnessed significant price erosion in many run-of-the-mill 50s cars the past couple of years.
Its doubtful Packard could have survived as an independent , but I’ve always wondered how many more of these cars would have been sold if they had a V8 early on instead of having the straight 8
You’d be interested in John Delorian’s insightful discussion in his book on this subject. He worked at Packard before GM.
I’d love to have a smooth running straight eight. Especially in a good looking ride like this Packard.
Most of the Packards stir my blood when I see one, and I was 12 when these came out. I got to ride in one a few times when I used to do lawn work for the owner, and he would take me for a spin in his Packard…. sometimes his wife would even let me sit in the front seat, but most of the time I was in the back seat, but I did have the entire seat to myself. I was never sure who loved that car the most, him, her, or me.
This one definitely has the “wow” factor
Beauty!
“Digital title transfer”.
Not in my state as it’s one of 30 states that currently do not offer or process digital titles. If you as the buyer live in a state without digital titles, the current owner of this Packard will need to apply for a paper title he can then transfer over to you. [Ref; dirtlegal.com]
A type this every time a beautiful Packard pops up. At the price for this, one gets such a nice looking car. I love the look of the dash. Always have. Just wish one was near me.
Gosh what a beauty! And just before the end of true Packards. Someone has done a loving job to its maintenence and restoration. Wouldn’t be surprised if it sells for $18-25k. What a great find
When I was in my late teens I was drawn to Studebakers and Packards. My first car at 15 was a 41 Studebaker. I was about 18 when I bought a 54 Packard 2 door hardtop, I think Clipper, for$50. It had a good interior and body except for rust around the rear wheel wells. The engine was almost indestructible. The radiator was leaking and sometimes I didn’t put water in soon enough and it overheated. 2 or 3 times it got so hot the engine seized up and stopped running. When it cooled down it started up and ran smooth like nothing happened. After overheating 10 to 12 times it started running a little rough. I sure wish I had taken better care of it and kept it. Then it was just an old 15 or 16 year old car.
Don’t be too hard on yourself, we were all teenagers once. As the old adage goes: “you live & you learn.”
Reminds me of the Packard Caribbean,both very beautiful cars in my opinion
I’m not sure but I can only count 6plug wires ?
First I’ve heard of a Digital title. State I live in accepts Bill of Sale as a title on certain age vehicles, so maybe it wouldn’t be a huge deal. Still rather iffy.
Only 6 plug wires.
Rocco,
You might only see 6 plug wires in the area around the head & plugs, but if you count the plug wires at the distributor cap you will find 9 wires [8 to the plugs, 1 to the coil]. I operated a restoration shop and have owned and/or worked on hundreds of Packard straight 8 engines over a 40 year period. this is 100% guaranteed to be an 8 cylinder engine.
The last Packard 6 was in 1948, and then only for export or Taxicabs. That smooth cylinder head is a one year only head in Aluminum for the 359 straight eight 9-main bearing engine.
It’s a straight-8 engine, but the photo shows the air cleaner blocking the view of the back 2 cylinders.