1948 Packard Custom Club Sedan RESTORED in 2016

1948 Packard Custom Eight Club Sedan Description

Briggs body number plate matches Packard VIN data plate. Firewall Body Number is 85853 which is stamped on firewall above heater box. Engine number is 604108 which I believe to be correct. #241 out of 790 Custom Club Sedansproduced in 1948-49. Paint scheme is X BF-2003 Black.

Car was sold new on 4/20/48 by E.B. Patterson Inc. Motors dealership in New London, CT and was purchased by Lewis Bailey of Groton, CT. The Bailey family owned the car for 25 years and then sold it to John Blesi of Pompano Beach, FL who had the car for the next 40+ year until his death in 2013. I am the 3rd owner and believe that the 43,000 current mileage is correct. Have all the owner service notes on the car through 1972 when it had only 35,000 miles after 25 years. For the next 40+ years the car was evidently only driven 7,000 miles!

Description:

This beautiful and RARE Packard Custom Club Sedan was top of the line in 1948 and featured the 356 ci straight eight bullet proof engine, 3 speed manual transmission with overdrive, the long wheel base frame and interior-exterior upgrades. Base price in 1948 was $3,700 and this car was optioned out to $4,127 which included: Electromatic clutch, overdrive, gas filter, oil filter, radio with vacuum antenna, heater/defroster, backup light, compass, white sidewall tires, side mirrors, engine compartment light, glove box light, chrome exhaust tip.

Restoration:

Restorations are expensive, especially when they're done correctly like this Custom. Why not buy a car that's ready for worry free enjoyment?!After purchase from prior owner's estate, it was turned over to the experienced Murphy Auto Museum restoration team in Oxnard, CA in 2015-2016. Included were: new interior with English wool from Bill Hirsh as close as he could find to the original, headliner, seat rebuild, engine was removed and checked for leaks and compression, engine compartment stripped and detailed, 95% of the chrome and cadmium was re-plated, stainless trim repaired and polished, new wiring harness, 5 Diamond Back Classics radial tires, correct hubcaps with cloisonné inserts, rear shocks, front suspension rebuild kit, door wood graining, steering wheel was recast, rebuilt or replaced fuel pump-water pump-generator-starter-carb, rear pinion seal, wiper motor, clutch bellows, manifold gaskets, motor mounts, brakes,fuel gauge sending unit, weather stripping, fan belt, radiator and distribution tubecleaned out, repaired Electromatic clutch to working order, auxillary fuel pump added. Paint was not touched other than polished, while not perfect, it looks pretty good. Radio, vacuum antenna and clock were not repaired; but there are plenty of people who can fix them.

Performance:

No worries here! The car performs like a new Packard should! I've owned and had restored numerous Packards over the years and this is truly one of the nicest driving ones. Plenty of power from the 356 and the overdrive engages cleanly. The three biggest complaints about classic cars that I hear (and have experienced) are 1. hard starting; 2. overheating, 3. not reliable for long tours (you don't want to listen to your wife complain about breaking down!!). This car has none of those problems because of the experience in demanding quality restoration. The car handles 70 mph freeway speeds with ease with one finger on the steering wheel! Tracks and handles great. The electromatic clutch works fine (when selected, this feature operates the clutch when you move the gear selector. A Packard exclusive before automatic transmissions were perfected) Just get behind the wheel of this beauty, look out over that long hood, and enjoy what 1948 Packard luxury and performancewas about!

Please contact me with any questions. I've done my best in describing this car, and as you know, there's no guaranteesor responsibility for errors and omissions. Come out to inspect and drive the car yourself. Located in Santa Barbara, CA