If I had a dollar for every vehicle manufacturer across the globe that has collapsed or ceased to exist for some reason, I would have enough money to park some of their more desirable models in my garage. The list is enormous, and one of the noteworthy members is Packard. When the end came for the prestige manufacturer, its coffers were empty, and it lacked the ability to compete with models offered by The Big Three. This Packard is a 1947 Super Clipper, and one glance reveals it makes a stunning visual statement. From its shining paint to its sparkling chrome, it is a guaranteed attention-grabber wherever it goes. Where it needs to go soon is to a new home. The seller listed the Packard here on Barn Finds Classifieds in Polk City, Florida. They have set their asking price at a very reasonable $14,500.
Packard found itself in the same boat as many American car manufacturers following World War II. When hostilities commenced, all vehicle manufacturing facilities redirected their resources to the war effort, and civilian vehicle production ended in early 1942. When peace came, there was pent-up demand from consumers, but there was insufficient time to develop new models. That left companies with little choice but to produce their pre-war models with little beyond minor cosmetic upgrades. Packard was probably hit harder by circumstances than most because it introduced its new Clipper model only a few months before the Pearl Harbor attack. That gave the company no genuine opportunity to recoup its development cost, leaving it in a grave financial position that would only worsen over time. This 1947 Super Clipper is a classic that I would describe as gorgeous. It features long and swooping lines with touches of Art Deco in its sparkling trim design. The Charcoal paint shines richly, although the seller critically classes the paint as an 8/10. There are no visible flaws, and the panels are as straight as an arrow. The glass is immaculate, and the whitewall tires add an appropriate finishing touch to the exterior.
The exterior Art Deco touches continue inside this Packard, but there is also one mystery to ponder. The back seat and door trims sport their original cloth trim, but the front seat wears a carefully-installed blanket cover. The seller is unsure what hides beneath the blanket, and it appears they haven’t been game to take a peek. They suspect there is probably upholstery damage, but that is a mystery for the buyer to explore. It could also be a preventative measure to protect the upholstery beneath from marks and wear. I’m a “glass half full” type, so I’d like to think that’s the story. Otherwise, the interior presents well for its age, with no rips, tears, or other physical damage. The carpet looks excellent, but the dash is my highlight. It features a deep timber finish and some lovely splashes of chrome. There is nothing of which to be critical, and even the wheel has survived in good condition. Passenger cars from this era are generally not renowned for their long list of options, but this Packard features a pushbutton radio and a beautiful clock.
Packard enjoyed a long-term love affair with straight-eight engines, which is what we find hiding under the hood of this Super Clipper. With a capacity of 356ci, this gentle giant pumps out 165hp and an impressive 292 ft/lbs of torque. That energy has to find its way to the road, doing so via the rear wheels and a three-speed manual transmission. A ¼-mile ET of 19.5 seconds is not as relevant as how this motor delivers its power and torque. With peak performance occurring at around 2,000rpm, there is no need to rev this baby’s head off to extract the best from it. The delivery makes this a remarkably flexible vehicle that can pull away from low speeds in surprisingly high ratios. That characteristic makes the driving experience pretty relaxed. The seller indicates this Packard runs and drives well, with no mechanical needs. They use the word “joy” when describing the driving experience and include a collection of additional parts and the Owner’s Manual in the sale.
Some classic cars possess a genuine presence, which is the case with this 1947 Packard Super Clipper. It would have turned heads when it was new, and it would undoubtedly draw crowds today. Its striking paint and chrome make a statement, and it has no apparent needs. It is stunning to think a company capable of producing such a beautiful car could cease to exist little more than a decade later, but that was the fate of it and many other manufacturers. It may not possess the cachet of a pony or muscle car, but it would suit an enthusiast seeking an affordable classic that could accommodate the entire family. If you fit that description, it could be worth pursuing this Packard to see if you can make it part of your life.
Anybody know how long that hood is? Could be the first pony car, long hood and short deck lid. Seriously is quite an automobile, dash is simple, the speedometer is round and the gauges are square off to the left. Driving with all that real estate in the front has to be quite an experience. Paint color looks good on the car, finish up the interior and it’s a jewel.
I had a ’47 Hudson with a long hood like this. Couldn’t see a thing going up hill!
No words after your write up Adam. About as good as it gets here.
Does that hood double as an aircraft carrier?
You can imagine the Packard slowing to a stop at a set of traffic lights and that long bonnet opening up an consuming one of those Japanese mini-cars!
These are big cars. Make room in your garage before you bring this beauty home…but bring it home all the same!
Big, but not ’59 Lincoln big (227″) …this Packard at 208″ is only 4″ longer than my ’62 Studebaker GT Hawk, which fits comfortably in my 1920’s garage with 2 feet to spare in the front, 1 in the rear
Ahh-but there’s the difference. Your 20s garage is longer than a modern garage. Cars have gotten smaller and so have garages.
This is a beautiful car. The price is right for someone wanting to get into the classic car hobby without breaking the bank. Even though it’s not for me (mama is not happy about the 8 cars we already have) someone is going to be very happy with this. Absolutely a head turner that you won’t see at cars and coffee. Wow.
I agree Vair Nut on all points. No one in town will have one these and it will draw huge crowds where ever you go. I particularly like the sloping read end. But that front end is longer than the rest of the car and has dimensions straight out of a Hanna-Barbera cartoon. It sure makes a statement though and should propel the car another 1/4 mile at speed.
What does the front seat look like under the Mexican blanket?
This is a fantastic looking car, I would love to own it, but my budget won’t handle the cost to buy it and drive it home.
Champagne taste on a fountain water pocketbook.
As someone who worked on Packards for 40+ years and has owned hundreds of them, I have several comments on this car. But first I want to point out this appears to be a rust-free car with an older restoration, and it IS what is known as a Senior Packard [Super and Custom-Super cars were “Senior” Packards.] It should have the big 9-main bearing 356 engine, one of the best 8 cylinder engines ever built in terms of smoothness and reliability.
Now for a few comments:
1. It’s missing both front and rear bumper guards as well as the 4 bumper extensions [standard on the Super and Custom Super models].
2. Interior has been re-done in non-original materials, not even a close match. These cars did not come with full carpets in the front. This carpeting and upholstery is made of modern materials.
3. Radiator is not correct, and it appears there is no underdash heater/defroster. Note gap between left side of radiator, and the left radiator support. This radiator is way too small for the Packard 356 straight 8.
4. AM radio is the correct Philco model, but the roof top antenna is not there, and the antenna hole in the left front fender is in the wrong location to be a factory accessory vacuum antenna. Chances are this car was not built with a factory radio, perhaps the radio was added later.
5. And lastly, the VIN quoted in the feeBay auction starts with the letter F, and then 6 digits. This is not a Packard VIN. The original VIN would start with 2172, that 4-digit number breaks down as: 21= 21st series, 7=Super, and 2=sedan, followed with a 5 digit chassis number. Without a photo of the driver’s side of the firewall showing the original Packard VIN plate, I can only assume in it’s place is a state of Florida VIN plate.
In general, the lack of the original VIN plate and serial number does have a large impact on the value of any Packard. As the engine number wasn’t keyed to the VIN, and this car was built before they began adding a “hidden VIN” on other locations on the body or frame, it is not possible to re-create the correct Packard VIN.
Bill, thanks for the information. My Dad first had a Packard 740 roadster as a collector car in the early 1950’s followed by a prewar Clipper that had not done well sitting through the war outside. Dad bought it at a great price with the 740 proceeds and spent his hobby time getting it refurbished. Sold it for a VW black convertible in 1955 as Mom couldn’t drive the Clipper w/o power steering. I remember it as maroon and being huge and quiet. Should this be looked at as best used as a driver rather than a full restoration project? Rochester NY loves Packards with their active club.
Chris,
Wow, wish I had grown up with a dad who owned a 740 roadster, one of the most wanted factory-bodied open Packards!
If you want a nice ’41 to ’47 Clipper sedan, and don’t care if it’s a Junior 8 [the 120] or a senior 8 [the 160 or 180] they are fairly easy to find in decent condition. The Clipper 6 is also a fine car, but is a little slow in today’s traffic.
Remember, this car would need to have a heater/defroster added for Rochester weather, but they are also easy to find as it was the same for all models. Also note that an incorrect interior will generally lower the car’s value based on what it costs to restore the car to the correct materials.
I always suggest that anyone desiring to buy a Packard please consider joining the Packard Club [PAC] before buying a car. It can be a lot of help when you start the search, and you can often talk with members who are local to a car you are interested in buying, and they can often help to arrange for a closer inspection.
The problem with performing a full restoration on this specific car, since much work was incorrectly done [like the interior, radiator, missing trim parts, etc.] when considering the purchase price plus, doing the work again to restore it back correctly, you will probably spend more than you can get back in return. That said, if you are OK with the modern material, then it might be a great car that the grandkids can stand on the seats without you having a heart attack, then this may be fore you.
Bill’s comments are what makes BF’s so valuable to readers. Despite the warts this Clipper remains of interest. Time to join the Packard Club. As the Clipper is a heavy car, does it still have the Packard triple leading shoe brakes?
In cases like this, assume the worst and budget for new seat foam and covers….
This was still in the days of cotton batting and burlap, no foam under the upholstery yet.
Chris,
Not sure I know what “triple leading brake shoes” are. No Packards [that I am aware of] from 1935 on, had triple brake shoes, only a leading and a trailing shoe per wheel.
I drove Packards as some of my everyday driver cars thru college, and if I was looking for a senior 1942-47 Clipper with that 356 and OD, and intended on driving the car to enjoy & not to show in judged events, This would absolutely be on my short list. No changes to this car were done that cannot be changed back to original again in the future.
Growing up in the late 1960s, my best friend and next door neighbor had a 1946 Clipper Super sedan like this car. He bought it in 1968 from the original owner who had been able to buy it right after the war, as he was one of the senior civilians tasked with implementing the Marshall Plan in Europe, and he needed a reliable car for that task. When my friend bought it, the car had over 270,000 miles on it, the cylinder head had never been off, and the car still ran great. Today it’s in the caring hands of another Packard Club member.
Bill, the 740 has triple leading shoes in front. When did Packard go to power steering?
Power steering was an option starting in 1953, Power brakes the year before.
Thanks Bill, so this one would not have either. No mention of OD, is it possible to retro fit it to the senior 8 cars?
In looking at the interior photo showing the lower area of the dash, I think I can spot the beige plastic overdrive handle. Because this is a Senior car, and 95% of the Seniors had OD, I’m pretty sure it’s got it.
As for retrofitting power steering or power brakes, it can be done, but is a fair amount of work and the benefits not that great. Because the 356 was discontinued before the P/S was introduced, there is no existing bracket to mount the pump. If you did want to do so, I would suggest using a later Chrysler generator with the P/S pump attached to the back of the generator shaft. A good fabricator should be able to adapt the later Packard hydraulic cylinder and valving to the existing Clipper steering system.
Adding P/B to the car requires creating a swing pedal support and removing the floorboard area, then retrofitting the 1952-56 bolt-in floorboard with the Ease-a-matic P/B unit. Complete rebuilt TreadleVac units are available from treadlevacrepair.com for $370
I’ve been driving Clippers for decades, and never felt it necessary to add P/S or P/B. The steering wheel is very large, providing plenty of leverage to turn the front wheels, even when parking.
Just received my latest Packard Club publication, and in the classifieds there was a 1947 Clipper Custom Super 2-door that was an AACA SENIOR award winner, and it sold right away at $27,500. [Cheap in my opinion.]
Regarding length, wasn’t the Buick 225 actually 225 inches long?
Did it make it through Ina without damage? Still for sale?