Up for sale is a beautiful fully restored 1949 Packard Super Eight 7-Passenger Limousine. Packard body number is 2276-9 and Packard model/chassis number is 2222. It is a 22nd series car actually built in 1948 but re-badged by the Packard factory and sold as a 1949 model. This is a true limousine with roll-up divider window, jump seats, separate rear AM radio, chauffeur attention buzzer, and separate rear door lock (keyed differently from ignition key). Most of the vehicle was restored to showroom condition approximately 25 years ago. It always does very well at car shows and was awarded Circle of Champions by Packards International Motorcar Club Membership Meet Grand Salon in 2010. In 2011, I shipped the car to France and participated in the Euro-Packard Meet VIII where it ran flawlessly throughout the tour.
FACTORY SPECIFICATIONS
PackardInfo. com reports the factory specifications as:
SERIES: 22nd
YEAR: 1949
WB: 141
MODEL/CHASSIS: 2222
CARBURETOR: Carter WDO 643S
ENGINE: 327
CYLINDERS: 8
HP: 145
WEIGHT: 4,525
MSRP: $3,500
TOTAL PRODUCTION: 865*
PASSENGERS: 7
GND/VOLTAGE: Positive/6
TIRE SIZE: 8. 20x15
*Note that there were only 865 of these cars produced. As noted above the wheel base is 141 inches. resulting in an overall length of the car at 18 feet, 9-5/8 inches.
FEATURES
This limo has most of options available at the time it was built:
* R9 three-speed overdrive transmission
* Auxiliary bumper guards (front & rear)
* Fog lights
* Front and rear AM radios
* Clock
* Heater
* Oil bath air filter
* Oil filter
* Dual hood props
* Back up light
* Cloisonné hub-cabs
Features that I have added during the 12 years I have owned it:
* Bud vases
* Electric Fuel Pump
* Diamondback radial tires (5)
Work done on the limo while I owned it:
* Valve job
* New custom core heavy duty radiator
* Rebuilt carburetor
* Rebuilt generator
* Rebuilt starter motor
* Rebuilt master cylinder and all 4 wheel cylinders
* All faux wood dash & window trim redone
* Front seat reupholstered
* Rebuilt front radio
* New clutch
* Replaced standard 3-speed transmission with rebuilt R9 overdrive transmission
* Reupholstered trunk
* Significant re-chroming (dashboard components, fog lights, auxiliary bumper guards)
* Significant powder coating (all 5 wheels, oil filter, air filter, and other engine components)
All of the above has produced a truly reliable and dependable classic. I wouldn't hesitate to jump in and drive it coast-to-coast.
HISTORY
I received a (now lost) email from a gentleman in Ohio who owned this same car (VIN 2276-9-2238) from 1969 to 1973. After he sold it, contact was lost until it showed up in Southern California in the mid-1990's. I purchased it from the estate of this owner in January of 2006. He had completed a significant majority of the restoration before he died. I completed the remaining restoration items (listed above). Before I bought the car, the original engine was replaced with a 23rd series engine number H2045397.
SUMMARY
The engine cranks and starts reliably. It idles and runs smoothly and does not emit any smoke. It burns a quart of oil about every 1,000 miles. Freeway driving is a pleasure and the car can effortlessly cruise at 70 miles per hour. The custom radiator keeps the engine cool at all times; even in 100 degree weather I have never seen the temperature gauge show higher than mid-scale. Passengers in the back seat always comment on the comfort of the seats and ride. The tinted windows give the car a true celebrity-limo look as it is impossible to see into the car through the rear windows. Because of its elegance and class. I have gotten many chauffeur requests for weddings. graduation balls. and funerals. Due to its long wheel base and tinted windows, it is a real head-turner and attention-getter. Expect to see thumbs-up and hear NICE CAR wherever you go.
NOTE: This vehicle is also listed for sale locally. therefore I reserve the right to terminate the listing at any time.