Four More for the Fleet: The 1949 Packard Custom 8
If you’ve been to our site, you’ve probably seen this fan favorite.
PPG benefactor Anne Lewis generously donated four incredible Packards to the PPG in memory of her late husband Elliot Bayly. This week, we’re sharing the penultimate Packard in this series of posts. Feast your eyes on the 1949 Packard Custom 8 Sedan.
This sleek serpentine green 4-door sedan boasts an impressive coat of richly pigmented paint. The car’s interior matches that gorgeous green, giving the entire vehicle an impressive verdant hue.
In addition to its beautiful color, this vehicle’s metallic elements also bolster its pedigree. Its “egg crate”-style grille and chrome trim represent its status as a top-of-the-line Packard product. What’s more, this car was developed the same year that Packard introduced the automatic transmission! Packards produced after May of 1949 boasted this impressive engineering feature.
Although this car represents the best of Packard’s traditional style and exceptional engineering, it does have one particularly unique feature. Instead of the hood ornament that graced most of its contemporaries, our 1949 Packard Custom 8 features the rare “Egyptian” style hood ornament. This ornament was offered as a customizable option, and it’s even more uncommon now than it was in its heyday. Another reason to love this car!
Plus, it makes for a welcome wedding guest.
This car represents the Packard Motor Car Company’s “Golden Anniversary,” celebrating 50 years in business building beautiful vehicles. Maybe these good vibes are the reason it’s so frequently selected for display during weddings held at the PPG. Or it could be its brilliant beauty and stunning design. Or both!
(I’m thinking it’s both.)
Do you have original Packard documents, photographs, publications, or memorabilia that might be of value to the Packard Proving Grounds Library and Archives? Contact the site for information about our collection focus and donation policies.
Many thanks to Dave Dolby for the details shared in this post! All images included here are the capture and property of Rick Mayer.
