Packard Grills...were these painted?

[6219_Rules]

I have really enjoyed reading through this page and like the Packard marque a great deal. Had I the money, I know of a 1950 Packard I would love to own...however...getting back to the subject, I have noticed some Packards with painted grills. My question, and pardon my ignorance, is was this a Packard option or production item?

I think it looks very sharp and was curious. Cadillac did that during the War Years but out of necessity. Thanks and Happy New Year to Everyone! <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

[52deluxe]

i have never seen a stock grill painted, but i have seen a few that were later on like mine. i attribute this to poor chrome of the late 40's and 50's. i painted the grill on my 52 because the grill was pitted beyond restoration so a little bondo, paint, and a lot of elbow grease later it looks very nice and smooth. i have seen a lot of other autos that this was done to all from about the same era including a 1954 dodge 1/2 ton i used to own. i have a lot of packard adds laying around covering from about 41-56 and will spend some time looking at them a little closer. i have also read packards by dennis adler and it makes no mention of such a option.

tom

[Guest]

Randall, You wouldn't go wrong buying a Packard. I don't think that Packard ever offered painted grilles after the war. The '39 Senior cars used a curious paint scheme alternating from bright to painted grille bars. The Korean War era Packards had poor quality chrome because it was difficult to obtain during the war. I remember our next door neighbour had a '51 200 model and within two years the chrome was mostly worn away and the pot metal material pitted badly and finally on a cold winter day broke during a very minor accident. Not Packards best years sadly.

[6219_Rules]

Oh OK...thank you! Like I said, it looks really sharp! As Dave Kenny says the chrome of the Korean War era was bad...I know that from some of our Chrysler products from '52...so I guess that is one of the ways you can work around it. It is very appealing though. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Dave, I appreciate your enthusiasm...I would love to have a '40s Packard to nestle beside my Cadillac. I was impressed with the car I saw. Maybe someday...I have several cars I would like to own! <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> And Packard is the other marque I'd choose. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

[Jack Harlin]

Randall No Packards, except the 39, as said, had factory painted grilles. Reason for deteration, no nickel could be used before the chrome was applied, due to Korean Conflect. Packard sprayed a clear coat on them to help preserve them. After a time it would yellow & when scraped the clear would peel & what was left had to be removed, for better apperance. Tha 51--54 outer grill frame was the largest cast pot metal ever made made. It takes 2 people to buff the chrome on it. Also 51 --54 HT & Contv. cost of rechroming all, is $12,000 to $15,000 in todays market. In some 46 early production cars, other than Packards came through with black 2X4 bumpers. The Aumish liked them, only kidding. Later owner would get them replaced. Several local cars that are hot rodded or customised have painted pot metal, worked into paint design to avoid cost of re=chroming. Jack

[Guest]

I'm amazed at myself for not thinking of this but the '46-7 Packards like my Super Clipper have chrome and bright stainless with silver painted sections in the grille, hood spears and the side trim. It looks very attractive IMHO. I believe that these were the only Packard with this feature. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

[Jack Harlin]

Dave First year was 41 and continued till 50

[Guest Randy Berger]

My 56 400 grille has silver painted sections which I redid with some good masking and some paint labeled "argent'. The leading edges of the grille are chrome and all the recesses are painted.

Argent was Ford's fancy word for silver-painted bumpers. They called them "Bumpers Argent" whcich meant you got the cheap painted ones instead of the good chrome. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> I think all 55-56 Packards were done this way.

YFAM, Randy Berger

[Constellation]

Randy,

You are right and so is Jack Harlin. Packard used a Grayish Aluminum Lacquer on some of its Grille Section pieces. The lower Grille inside pieces on my Brother's 53 Packard Clipper is this way and was this way new.

All late 1952 and all 1953 Packards except some of the real late ones after the restrictions were lifted had a clear coat of Lacquer applied to the Chrome, if you want to call it that, at the Factory to preserve it against Pitting due to its very low nickle content that it had due to Government restrictions as an essential war good placed on its use during the Korean War. In time, the Clear Lacquer Coating would yellow and peel and have to be redone. However, you will find that very few owners of a "New" Packard would go to the trouble to do this. The fact is that all Automakers had bad Chrome in this era. Some of the worst was on some of the 1953 Chrysler products. Ford and Mercury were not much better.

The Nickle restriction actually applied to All automakers, appliance makers, and other manufacturers that had Chrome trim parts and had to be adhered to or face Government sanction. These same restrictions applied other essential metals as well.

The Automakers after the Korean War found out if they kept a reduced amount of Nickle in the Chrome they could save a buck. Thats why even all late 50's cars had poor chrome after only a few years of being on the road.

Bob

[6219_Rules]

Thank you, all, for the great information. This is a wonderful place to learn new things.

Happy New Year to everyone! I just returned from the mountains so I have not been on lately.