JD in KC

If these: are what you are looking for, try Max Merritt.

Just to clarify, the Kaiser was photoshopped... the Graham wasn't.

The front skirts were definitely photoshopped in. Otherwise... the car has a turning radius of 9,527 feet.

I think you can find some photos here: http://forums.aaca.org/f169/one-our-forum-friends-could-use-367333.html

Sure I do. I have a garage full of potentially frustrating vehicles. I grew up during a period when a boy was expected to understand the basics of an internal combustion engine. Of course, this is understandably no longer the case. The days of 'Cruising the Boulevard', joining car clubs, going over to your friend's house to help work on his [insert year] [insert make], spending an enjoyable afternoon underneath an old clunker with oil dripping in your face, or just detailing to the nth degree whatever it was you drove are over. Today's cars are transportation appliances and today's youth certainly don't see them the same way that old codgers like me saw the fabulous cars of our youth and earlier. I've always enjoyed tinkering with things mechanical. I spent the last of my working years sitting at a corporate computer providing programming for the IBM mainframe it was connected to. I got into the hobby later than most of the posters here. I didn't start collecting Packards until I was about to retire 6 years ago. I have one Packard that's road-worthy, reliable, fun to drive, and show it regularly. It wasn't always so. I've put a lot of work into the car to get it where it is. There were frustrations, money spent, seemingly insolvable mysteries, money spent, scraped knuckles, money spent, and money spent. I guess I have a laid-back contemplative personality because I never let the frustrations get to me. When something goes wrong I don't throw wrenches, I leave it and go into the house and think about it (with a martini in hand). I get help from the on-line Packard community (PackardInfo.com is a marvelous source of help), or a pretty extensive collection of Packard literature. The next day it looks better. Anyway, one Packard done (until the next 'thing' happens), two to go and I do really enjoy it.

The paint used in the aforementioned PackardInfo.com blog came from Bill Hirsch. There has been a great deal of debate over which gray shade is closest to to the original Packard engine gray. I got my paint from Kanter and it appears to be lighter with less brown added. Since I have some Kanter gray left over for convenient matching, my next engine will probably get painted with the closest match I can find at the local auto parts store.

Based on the above posts, I must be living in some weird alternate universe. In eight years of attending local shows I've never had any problems with the public. I enjoy bringing the cars out and the public seems to like looking at them and occasionally asking the odd question. No drama.

There were some green engines for the early 1948 356's but... officially [for judging purposes] they should all be gray. All three of my 356's, one 1948, and two 1949's were gray from the factory. The black bits are semi-gloss.

I own Packards between the years of 1941 and 1950. I put together a parts search for newly listed items that removed many of the vendors of "Fits Packard" junk that have nothing to do with Packard. Using keywords, I excluded items that flooded the screen with hideous bucket seat replacements, brake hoses from Argentina, etc. The search was also limited to the year range of 41-50. I would get on average about 12-20 hits a day and the results were e-mailed to me. This was good. I found and purchased a number of needed items. They [ebay] apparently no longer recognize the model year range so unless I search year by year, my search now produces results from 1899 to 1958. Hundreds of items that are useless to me. I'm not happy.

When the car did not have the option installed, the switch was not installed either. As a result, the push button won't push in, it's up against a solid bolt instead of a switch plunger.

The non-Custom glovebox door has a lever style handle with an integral locking system (keyhole in the handle). The Custom glove box door is as you describe but with a locking mechanism located on the right-hand side of the glove box. It appears you have a Custom glove box door in a Super eight dash. I got your PM and will respond as soon as I look up some information.

Really interesting! You have a very early model. The instrument buttons with the engraved function identifier were dropped fairly early on. It was discovered that at night the driver had no idea what the different buttons controlled since the engraved identifier wasn't visible in the dark. Packard first came out with a light bar accessory that illuminated the buttons and then followed that up with a panel of rear illuminated labels above the buttons that was used through the 23rd series. The ventilator knobs that function sideways are another indicator of an early model. It seems highly unlikely that in 1948 Packard would produce a car with a glovebox that can't be locked so... I think somebody added the chrome.

I second HH56's recommendation on the book by Robert Neal, it's excellent. In the meantime, you can go to PackardInfo.com and download the Salesman's Factbook, Owners manual, and Parts manual for the car from the 'Packard Literature and Manuals' section. There is a wealth of information there. You can send me an e-mail or PM just by clicking on my name 'JD in KC' over on the left above my avatar. Your 2279 is intriguing. I don't think the Custom style dash was an option that could be ordered.

What is the vehicle number on your data plate? Some photos of your car would be very helpful. The Super Eight Victoria Convertible should have a plain glovebox without the additional chrome. The Custom glovebox door has a significantly different latching mechanism with the key located to the right of the glove box as opposed to a simple latch/key lever located centrally on the glovebox door for non-Customs. Photo Credit: PackardInfo.com

It's a model difference. The dash with the chrome grill on the glovebox door is a Custom. Only the 22nd Series Customs had this extended chrome. While we're on the subject... the closed cars had a woodgrained dash while the convertible dash was painted.

Here's a photo of a 17 gallon tank. I think the 20 gallon looks the same. Note the 'whistle' between the vent tube and tank. While filling, the tank whistles until it's 1 gallon from the top to prevent spill-over. Always starts a conversation at the gas station (as if the car itself didn't). Photo Credit: PackardInfo.com / David Grubbs

First the radiator. I assume you don't have a radiator that you can have re-cored. According to the parts manual the following 22nd Series (1948-mid 1949) cars used the same radiator as your chassis/model 2232: Photo Credit: PackardInfo.com Deluxe Eight Touring Sedan Deluxe Eight Club Sedan Super Eight Touring Sedan Super Eight Club Sedan Super Eight Victoria Convertible Coupe These are the only cars with the same radiator assembly part number (418785). I think it's possible that a radiator from a 23rd series car (mid 1949-1950) would work. Maybe from a 2302 chassis car. I don't think a radiator from a 2332 would work since Packard really upgraded the Super Victoria for the 23rd series, 127 inch wheelbase and a lot of the trim from a Custom but I'm not sure. The gas tank. To the best of my knowledge there are no new tanks being produced for the 'Clipper' style Packards (1941-1950). Kanter Bros. just started selling new tanks for the 1951-1954 cars but those won't fit. If I were you, I'd start by calling Kanter and/or Max Merritt and see what they might have for your car. Radiators and gas tanks occasionally appear on ebay/craigslist.

Three different engines; 288ci, 327ci, and 356ci have different cooling requirements. The 356/327 take 20 quarts of liquid, while the 288 takes 18 quarts. I'm pretty sure the 356 radiator is larger than the one for the 327 (the Custom has an additional 7 inches in wheelbase all forward of the cowl to accomodate it). The 356 has a 5 bladed fan while the 288/327 have 4 blades.

You'll need to indicate the model; Standard/Deluxe Eight, Super Eight or Custom Eight. Three different radiators, different gas tank capacities.

This car has been extensively discussed here: http://packardinfo.com/xoops/html/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=13570&forum=8 and here: http://packardinfo.com/xoops/html/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=13638&viewmode=flat&order=ASC&type=&mode=0&start=0

Sure, you could offer it for sale here or PackardInfo.com or PackardClub.org. Put a pricetag of a couple/few hundred bucks on it with the caveat that it's for parts only, since you don't know the internal condition and the odds are that since it's out of the car... there's probably something wrong with it. Explain that you'll consider offers and see what happens. If you were local in my city, I'd probably consider offering 160 or so to have some hopefully usable spare parts on hand. Shipping could be a stumbling block. Good luck. P.S. You might wait for some more input before you put a price on it... I'm no expert on Ultramatic pricing (even though I drive a car that has one).

They only made 750 1953 Caribbeans. They made many, many thousands of the transmission you have. It has limited value particularly if you don't know the condition of the internals.

I'm under the impression (possibly mistaken) that the original poster is not interested in restoring the car. It's something he's inherited and wants to know what it's worth or if anybody would be interested in buying it.

I haven't seen the pictures but if the numbers were from the data plate, the date on the data plate is stamped there by the dealer and represents the date of sale for warranty purposes. A 1650 is a 1946 21st series limousine, this one was the 277th one built. In 1947 the model number would have been 2150 (still a 21st series) as Packard started using the series number as the first two digits of the model. They maintained this numbering until 1954 when the year was used through the end of Detroit production. Things got really interesting for the 22nd/23rd series when factory renumbering was used for unsold models. I have a 1950 that was built as a 1949 with a 1949 (23rd series) model/serial number but sold and registered as a 1950 with a 1950 model/serial number.

Congratulations on your new camera, I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoy mine. This car of yours has many similarities to my 1941 180 Limousine. The interior is in much the same condition (very poor). I think it's interesting that the electro-hydraulic power windows were abandoned for hand crank versions probably early in the cars' life. Being a 180, the car has several parts that are sought after by Packard vendors and 180 owners. The tailight assemblies and the radio have particular value. The bumpers, 180 specific trim items, fender spears, power window switches, radio waterfall grill all have value. The electro-hydraulic pump and tank for the power windows (if still under the car) are pretty rare items. The gear-reduction starter motor is unique to the 356 and has value over a regular starter. The wood frame windows are pretty much trashed but can be restored. The side-mount fenders with the side-mount hardware should be a relatively easy sell (along with the heavy-duty springs to support them). I guess what I'm saying is that the car certainly has value to someone who would be willing to part it out. I agree with Imperal62's comments as far as possible restoration of this car is concerned.