Packard 250

Packard 250 convertible

An all-new 24th Series Packard line was introduced on August 24, 1950. Styling was much more contemporary to the other makers of 1950 US vehicles. They were designed by John Reinhart. It was a total new look and fell for Packard, who had opened the Post war period with 1941 styling and then the “pontoon” look.

There were now numbered models, the 200, 250, 300 and 400, and a top line Patrician, all breaks from the previous designations of “Packard Eight” and “Standard” and “Deluxe”, “Super” and “Custom”, all quite confusing. A true hardtop model, the Mayfair” was offered, stating mid-year. The Society of Motion Picture Art Directors acclaimed the 24th Series Packard as “the most beautiful car of the year”.

Packard 200-250
The 200 and the 250 were considered “junior” series cars and were separated from the Packard 300 and Packard Patrician 400 models by their shorter 122 inch wheelbases and lesser trim appointments.

The 288 CID L-Head I-8 produced 135 HP with a 7.0:1 compression ratio. Ultramatic automatic transmission-equipped cars received a 7.5:1 compression ratio and 138 HP. The 327 I-8 was also available as an option in the 200 Series.

The 250 model range was introduced in March 1951, and was specially designed to fill the vacuum of Packard having neither a hardtop or convertible when the Victoria Convertible was discontinued. Besides their unique body styles, 250 models received three jet-louvers on each rear-quarter panel. Better grade trim and fabric were used within. It also featured the 327 CID I-8 as the standard powerplant.

The Packard we are offering here is from 1951 and is equipped with the Ultramatic automatic transmission, a fantastic feature on this car that shifts with silky smoothness. This pairs perfectly with the quietly running inline-eight-cylinder engine. A beautiful, fresh color scheme where the yellow of the exterior is subtly echoed in the fabric of the interior upholstery. Another nice detail is the stunning ornament on the dashboard—very elegant and a challenge to point the wings of this swan upon the horizon. American driving at its best, then, and guaranteed to turn heads wherever you take this convertible. A fill-up typically takes at least half an hour. The car spent a long time in the collection of a Dutch collector, and we were commissioned to give it a thorough service and maintenance check before offering it for sale. The car is on display in our showroom in Dirksland, where we’d be happy to tell you more about it and let you experience for yourself what a thrill it is to drive this American classic.