SUPER RARE PACKARD 'VERT, 356 STRAIGHT 8, ULTRAMATIC AUTO, PRICED TO MOVE FAST!

This 1950 Packard Custom 8 Convertible Victoria is kind of a big deal. It was among the most expensive production cars you could buy in 1950 and with only 67 built, t's quite rare indeed. With Packard's top-of-the-line 356 cubic inch straight-8 engine, t's also a spirited performer with unparalleled luxury for the period and a classic Packard look.The post-war Packards were all new in 1948, elivering a smooth, lean look that shed every vestige of its pre-war formality. The new look wasn't to everyone's taste, ut nobody could argue that it didn't look like a big pile of money sitting on four tires. This beautiful convertible wears an older restoration that still shows well, robably because the light yellow paint works so well on the big ragtop. Finish quality must have been rather good when it was restored, ecause it's holding up well, lthough it's understandable that there would be a few signs of use and wear because this is one of the most road-worthy cars of the period. The Custom 8 had a lot of extra chrome that the lesser cars didn't, nd all of it is in excellent condition, ncluding the bumpers, ezels, nd all the stainless side trim. The familiar Packard grille still leads the way along with a beautifully rendered Packard cormorant hood ornament that's luxury embodied.The tan leather interior has the same kind of comfortable, nviting look as the rest of the car. No longer fresh and perfect, he patina somehow enhances its appeal and everything is nonetheless in very good shape. The seats show some minor wear and use, ut no split seams or other damage. The door panels were upholstered to match and the contrasting tan carpets are in decent shape but show some light stains. The gauges are probably original and are joined by an aftermarket temperature gauge under the dash. Some of the plastic pieces are starting to crack and age, ut I don't think I'd waste money on trying to perfect everything because the overall look is quite consistent. There's a well-fitted tan convertible top and a matching boot, nd this is one of those rare cars that looks as good with the top up as it does top down. And by 1950, runks were spacious, ith this one upholstered in brown carpet and carrying a full-sized spare tire.The reason so many people love their senior-series Packards is under that long, ong hood: a 356 cubic inch straight-8. Designed to replace the mighty V12 in 1940, t has nine main bearings and a crankshaft that weighs more than 100 pounds all by itself, esulting in uncanny smoothness and torque. It fills the engine bay, ut service access is good thanks to the flathead design and it's been reasonably well detailed. But the real delight is in driving it, ecause the torquey straight-8 moves the big convertible with such ease that it feels like an electric motor not internal combustion. A correct oil bath air cleaner, owndraft carburetor, nd those long exhaust manifolds all take you back to the 1940s and early '50s. There's an updated cooling fan at the front of the motor to keep things comfortable while in traffic and Packard's "Ultramatic" automatic transmission works well with no input needed from the driver. Just ease onto the accelerator and the car motors away with a pleasant burble from the single tailpipe. The undercarriage is not detailed for show but also doesn't have any nasty surprises for a new owner and those flashy chrome wire wheels and L78-15 wide whitewall tires definitely make this car a one-vehicle parade.In top condition, hese cars bring more than twice the asking price here, aking this car a veritable bargain for a big-series Packard convertible. Rarity, erformance, restige, nd price all make this one a big winner. Call today!