This 1948 Packard Custom 8 Limousine is extremely rare, and is in beautiful condition, both operationally and cosmetically. It has the big, powerful 356 cubic inch Packard straight 8,  3 speed manual with working Factory Overdrive. It has radio, heater, division window,  Electromatic Clutch, Cormorant mascot, and the correct – and rare! 16 inch wheels that were specific to the Packard Long wheelbase cars that year.

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Look at the deep reflections in the Packard Blue paint, the cloisonne emblems on the hubcaps, and the crosshatch or egg-crate grille that tells the world it’s the most expensive car in the Packard Line.

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The chrome – all 40 acres of it – is in excellent shape, and the black and gold Calif0rnia license plate speaks to the car’s long California history.

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Note the foglamps, a nice accessory.

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The crosshatch grille theme carries through to the rear of the car – letting those who follow this car – which is pretty much every other car on the road! know that this is the top model, the best of the breed, the most expensive thing you could buy from Packard.

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Wow! Those 16 inch wide whitewalls really look great and they fill up the wheel opening nicely.

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AS you can see from the photo, the paint quality is extremely high. It is an older paint job, and there are a few very minor flaws, but this car really does look terrific!

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Packard Styling won awards in 1948 – tasteful, streamlined, and rich.  I love the stainless speed lines that tie the front and rear bumpers together.

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That’s a long car, with a 148″ wheelbase!  But really, not excessively long – the overall length compared to a modern limousine is quite modest.

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Here’s what mattered when the car was new – deluxe and luxurious accomodations for the rear seat passengers! Beautiful wool broadcloth with white piping, and mosstred carpeting, which on this car is still the original!  Mosstred was a cut pile wool carpet that was bonded to a rubberized backing, and fit exactly to the dimensions of the floor. It was super heavy and fit flush and flat to the floor.

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There’s so much legroom that a separate footrest is provided! It’s hinged, and can be either forward or back against the seat bottom.

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Here are the jumpseats, properly trimmed in wool, and ready for use

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this view shows the bulkhead, the lap robe rail, and the division window crank, as well as some of the beautiful woodgraining on the window surrounds.

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Lovely and correct doorpanel and trim

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Gorgeous dashboard!

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And a beautiful Steering wheel, with a brilliant, clear, and wonderful center emblem. Wow!

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Brilliant, clear, and fully operational instruments, including the clock!

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Even the radio works properly!

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The 356 Cubic inch engine – which runs exactly like it should, and is done in the correct for ’48 Packard Grey – the green engine paint’s final year was 1947.

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Rewired when it was restored. Here we see the voltage regulator, overdrive controller, and off to the left, above the starter and mounted to the engine, the electromatic clutch  vacuum valve.

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Here’s a good view of the valve side of the engine, with the correct carburetor and manifolds. Also note the presence of the fuel pump heat shield and the louvered splash pans.

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The heater box shows in this photo, as does the wiper motor. the wipers and horn work great.

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It’s difficult to find a fault with this car, but I’ll do it anyway – the chrome on the valence crosshatch has the ever so slightest age / pits showing. can’t see it in the photo but it’s there up close.  I also noted a couple paint scratches on the lower left edge of the car, down by the stainless speed lines.

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A wonderful car with great history, and truly ready to enjoy right now!