Packard began demoting its cars into the midmarket segment in the 1930s. Admittedly, its first effort – the 120 – helped ease the company through the Great Depression, but once the downsizing stake was in the ground, the company’s reputation took a knock. Owners didn’t like the prospect of their Eights sharing the limelight with junior cars. The “bath tub styling” of 1948 didn’t endear the company to the buying public, either. By the time the 1950s rolled around, the company was struggling financially, preventing a full-fledged effort at development. Still, the 200 managed to sell over 70,00 copies during its first year, though sales dropped in half during 1952. Here on facebook Marketplace is a 1952 Packard 200 Club Sedan with an asking price of $6500. Drive it home from my hometown, Estacada, Oregon. Curvette found this tip for us – thanks!
This car was owned by a father and his son from new; the current owner bought the car in 2021. Wheelbase length was a primary difference between the 200, coming in at 122″, and Packard’s senior cars, at 127″. The base engine was the Thunderbolt 288 cu. in. straight eight backed by Packard’s two-speed Ultramatic automatic (an option that cost $189). In this combination, the engine’s output was 138 hp. The larger 327 cu. in. eight could be ordered for $45. The seller has replaced or rebuilt numerous components underhood over the years, including the starter, master cylinder, generator, oil pump, and much more. This car runs, and the title is clean.
This is the Standard version of the 200, typically outfitted with cloth upholstery and a single chrome trim strip on the exterior. The Deluxe was fitted with cloth and vinyl inside, as well as a trim strip across the car’s rear haunch. The seller does not provide interior photos other than this shot of the headliner, but he does mention that new upholstery is in order.
The 200’s rear end isn’t particularly distinctive, but it took many decades for stylists to pay much attention to drawing trunks and tail lights. On the other hand, despite attention to the grille when Packard conducted its restyle in 1951, it has a “downturned mouth” appearance that was slightly repellent. This car was repainted in the 1970s, and the exterior is said to be in fair condition. Values have been sliding for years: this tidy four-door sold for just $9000 a couple of months ago, and this wonderful ’51 wears a price tag of only $8900 (with nice seats and a manual gearbox!). Like so many project listings we see, this one seems a bit overpriced; what do you think?
Nice find, can’t add much. By this time, Packard had distanced itself from other so called, luxury cars, and tried, in vain, to appeal to the Chevy/Ford group with these cars. The in line 8, a wonderful motor, but dated from the 30s, so-so automatic, GM was the one to beat. Not to diminish this car one bit, it was still a Packard, but sinking fast. While called the “Thunderbolt”, only the 327 had that on the cyl. head, and ’52 was the first year for the downturned wings on the hood ornament,( $13.45) deemed a pedestrian hazard. I don’t see an antenna, a radio was almost $130 bucks! This was a sparsely optioned car, and very similarly optioned as our 1950 was. Automatic was the biggie here. While aimed at basic transportation, I read, this was the 2nd cheapest Packard, at $2695, it was still way more than the Ford/Chevy, at just under $2grand. Biggest problem with these cars, is folks like my grandfather, that bought Packards after the war, by ’52 just didn’t need a new car yet, they were that well built. Wonderful find, you can’t go wrong here.
One thing about the Ultramatic, it was built in-house by Packard. I would wager parts for it when needed would be difficult to get.
Hi Terrry, actually, not so. Apparently this “Kanter” in NJ has everything needed for an Ultramatic rebuild. That place is amazing, and even had the little rubber pad for the high beam switch on our Packard!
Ultramatic Dynamics in Virginia has all the parts you could need, has rebuilt trannys if you’ve got a core, and is very generous in giving free information and tips. Really helped with my 50 Packard.
The hood ornament is 1953-1954 but at a glance it looks like a nice entry-level Packard just a year prior to the re-introduction of the Clipper name.
Only one thing, Michelle: that engine looks pretty inline for a V8! Since Packard didn’t bend its “eights” until 1955, I suspect you just hit the wrong key, something I’ve been guilty of too many times.
I kind of like those old straight-eights, having spent some time riding around behind one in a Pontiac. Not especially powerful, but torquey and sounding nice.
Despite its financial and other woes, Packard built a quality product. Visually, I think the earlier “bathtub” Packers were a little more stylish, but I wouldn’t kick this one out of my driveway.
Holy cow, what a dope! Yes I hit the V key when I shouldna.
Viewing nice examples after restoration was a treat while I was doing research – these can look quite swanky inside.
Don’t beat yourself up, Michelle. Everyone got a good laugh out of it, and that’s always a good thing! Great write-up, as usual. Keep up the good work!
I’m also a fan of the straight eight, especially OHV Buicks!
I think $6500 is a screamin’ deal for a Packard with no big issues. If I wasn’t “aged out” I’d be all over it.
The ad says it has new radiation hoses. Does that mean it’s nuclear powered? I mean it was the fifties.
As the car radio can tune into Conelrad, you’ll be okay!
Packard, a once revered auto maker for their upscale offerings, shot itself in the foot by offering the 200 and later the Clipper, both cheaper models that ended up cheapening the make. Finally Studebaker bought them and plundered what was left. Packard deserved a better fate. If this 200 is in solid shape and runs (and especially shifts) ok, this could be a good deal.
Actually Packard bought Studebaker and that was pretty much Packard’s last nail in the coffin. Curtiss Wright bought Studebaker Packard Corporation as a tax write-off.
I think the asking price for a running and hopefully, driving and stopping Packard is very reasonable. Packard held on to its venerable straight eights longer than other car companies. They were so well engineered, I can understand why. The Ultramatic transmissions beat other car companies in being offered as the first true automatics. Packards torsion suspension was also a huge advance for the time. Good find, true entry level time capsule.
I’ve never seen this before. I like it and the price too !
This car is a total crack up for me. When my wife and I were first married in 1967, we bought a blue 4-door exactly like this one for 50 bucks. We needed a second car for our jobs. My wife weighed about 100 lbs and she had to hold on to the steering wheel and put both feet on the brake pedal to stop it. When the red light for low oil pressure came on she would go to the station that had 10 cent oil in glass jars and ask the attendant for 6 quarts of oil and he would say, sweetie that’s way too much. She would say just fill it, 8 quarts later it was full!
I had a ’50 standard 2 door sedan which I once restored! The tranny was rebuilt as it had been sitting for more than 20 years, Old greese and moisture was all cleaned out and new seals etc, were installed! Do not underestimate Packards esp with the 288 straight 8.Once I accidentally hit the gas too hard and that ultramatic drive kicked in and this car zoomed faster than I expected! Packard made quality cars but did wait too long for the v-8’s. They let Cadillac pass them by! Too bad! Shame they are not around anymore.
The Packard 200 was the car my parents owned when i was born in November of 1953. Light green 4 door. My Dad loved Packards but as the companies fortunes declined he saw the handwriting on the wall and moved on to a Ford Country squire station was the in 1956.