1951 Packard 300 Custom Sedan
Sold - Off to Wisconsin
In 1951, designer John Reinhart brought all-new styling to Packard. A wider, lower stance and reserved styling perfectly fit the world of the early 1950's.
The "300" was Packard's upper-level offering on a 127" wheelbase, replacing the former "Super Eight" model but retaining the proven 327 cubic inch straight 8 engine.
This particular car has been collector-owned for the past 20 years. The owner is a Packard aficionado and mechanic who worked for the legendary Phil Hill and Ken Vaughn at their restoration shop, "Hill and Vaughn" in Santa Monica, California during the 1970's. For the past 30 years he was the caretaker and mechanic for a large collection in Portland, Oregon, as well as operating his own shop specializing in mechanical restoration and rebuilding the engines of vintage cars. He knows Packards! He purchased this 300 with the goal of restoring and upgrading it as a totally reliable car that could be used for modern daily driving and extended long-distance touring. He accomplished that goal. You see the result here.
Body was stripped to bare metal. Doors and front fenders were chemically stripped. Any rust was addressed, including an area of the driver's floor that was removed and replaced. Body repainted in original "Ash Green" single-stage finish. Top is original "Valiant Green Metallic" that shows beautifully today with a deep shine. Sound and heat insulation (Dynamat) was installed throughout including the doors, roof, firewall and floor, plus a new insulated/molded PVC inner firewall pad. All-new lightly tinted door glass was installed, along with all-new weatherstripping throughout. 95% of the chrome was re-plated and all stainless was polished.
The interior was restored and upgraded to retain the original Packard feel, with modern comfort. Doors were reupholstered in a combination of tan broadcloth and brown leatherette. Brown carpeting. Front bench seat was replaced with1970s Mercedes-Benz fully adjustable, reclining bucket seats finished with tan MB-Tex upholstery. (Headrests are included.) The metal dashboard top was upholstered in smooth brown leatherette. Dashboard face was beautifully wood grained. All gauges were rebuilt and register accurately. Speedometer was correctly calibrated. New Alpine CDE-175BT stereo with AM/FM/CD, equipped with Bluetooth and Sirius XM radio. Speakers professionally mounted in the doors.
Converted to 12 volt electrical, with all-new wiring. Electric windshield wiper motor replaced the original vacuum unit, for positive wiper action at all speeds.
The original 327 5-main bearing straight 8 was completely disassembled and fully rebuilt. Nothing was left undone. Bored to .030" over standard with new pistons from Terrill Machine, new valves and guides, bearings, timing chain; ceramic-coated exhaust manifold, combustion chamber and piston tops to reduce heat transfer in the engine bay. Fitted with a Packard 288 cylinder head, giving a boost in compression. Edelbrock 4-barrel carburetor and modified 1975 Pontiac 455 HEI distributor. Excellent power and handling on the road at all speeds. Easily keeps up with modern freeway traffic.
The original Packard transmission was replaced by a GM 700R4 (4-speed automatic with overdrive) which totally transforms this car on the road for modern highway driving in comfort. A high-torque mini starter was also added. Newer radial tires. Rebuilt drum brake system as originally equipped. Rebuilt manual steering.
Includes reupholstered original front seat cushions and original frame/shell if you wish to return the front seat to the bench configuration. Also extra fabric and leatherette material.
This was truly a labor of love involving hundreds of hours over several years to complete. Since then, it has been driven approximately 4,000 trouble-free miles and is ready for more adventures with the new owner. If you're looking for a turn-key Packard that can go anywhere in the modern world, this is it. It is priced well below the cost of the restoration and upgrades.
PLEASE SEE PHOTOS WHICH SHOW CURRENT CONDITION.
WE WILL HAPPILY SELL TO BUYERS WORLDWIDE AND CAN ASSIST WITH SHIPPING ANYWHERE.
