1949 Packard Deluxe Eight

"Buttercup" - my 1949 Packard Deluxe Eight Club Sedan is a striking automobile. This rare body style, in this condition, in this color, is a hit with all who see her. And she drives as good as she looks. From behind the wheel, gazing out over that broad hood and rampant cormorant hood ornament, you enjoy a very unique and different driving experience.
Buttercup has approximately 54,300 miles on her and and is now located in the Scottsdale area . She is regularly driven in desert places near and far, only on the blacktop and never in the rain. Recently she traveled to Black Canyon City, Arizona providing comfort and fun to four adults for the sole purpose to eat pie. She is not a trailer queen, she is here to be driven and enjoyed, as is. Everywhere she goes people flock to see her. You cannot drive this Packard anywhere without people waving, honking and asking questions.
Buttercup was formerly owned by a Judge in Palm Springs California who had several cars restored to be classy drivers and I have approximately eleven thousand dollars in receipts for work he had performed, excluding the repaint. She is totally rust free and solid as a rock, as clean underneath as on top The car has a clean Arizona title.
Because of its style, its fantastic color (Packard Maumee Maize) and its imposing dimensions, this ultimate fastback cruiser stands apart. It draws more appreciative looks than almost anything else I’ve ever owned. With its seamless streamline modern lines, gorgeous period correct woodgrain (believed original and in excellent condition) and fabric interior, quality construction and silent, smooth running motor she speaks to everyone who sees her of a gentler time when cars were carefully built to last by skilled craftsmen. Though 1949 was Packard’s biggest sales year ever, it is thought that less than five thousand Club Sedans were produced.
Buttercup is a turnkey car that I now drive at least once a week. The previous owner spent over $11,000 on a myriad of refreshments which are documented faithfully in the last few years.
Electrical: New Battery and cables, new plugs and wires, distributor rebuild, new points & condenser, new cap, tune-up, new wires and shrink-wrap.
Fuel System: Fuel tank clean and recondition, new fuel sending unit, lines blown out, new electric fuel pump and wiring, heat shielding, rebuilt carb, new fuel filter, new NOS gas gauge,
Cooling System: R&R radiator, recore, new thermostat & NOS water distribution tube, hoses, belt.
Brakes: R&R master cylinder, hone, flush entire brake system, rebuild wheel cylinders, shoes and drums are excellent.
Other items: New harmonic balancer, front engine mounts, timing cover, front crank seal, pressure wash and paint engine block and underhood parts, R&R manifolds and hot tank, new gaskets, refurbish trunk with POR 15 and undercoat, etc. Install complete new interior - headliner, visors, door panels, seats, windlass, and carpet. Tires are in excellent condition and feature wide white-walls and period-correct tread.
Since I purchased her in 2015, I changed some tired bushings with new ones and religiously changed her fluids and kept her in top-flight shape. As she deserves.
The car runs as nice as it looks. The 130 HP, 288 ci square-stroke straight eight purrs and runs smooth as silk and delivers that famous Packard “limousine” ride quality. The three speed shifts perfectly, brakes and steering, tires and electrics - all good. Only the radio and the clock remain to be brought to life. It has a nice, new original style interior of high quality that is super comfortable and looks very elegant. All the original wood-grain is in great condition. The engine compartment is clean and fresh., engine repainted correctly, manifolds hot-tanked, air cleaner refinished, wires heat shrink wrapped, etc. etc. “Buttercup” was recently completely serviced and lubed, the pan was dropped and cleaned and she runs effortlessly with Rotella 15w40 and Lucas Oil Stabilizer. No smoke, no drips. She is an absolute pleasure to drive. Fire her up and she's ready to cruise. When she's running there is almost no vibration to detect. She's a real Packard.
I've owned, driven, and enjoyed her for three years. Buttercup has been a reliable steed for evenings out with my wife, sojourns around the neighborhood with my children, and nostalgic cruises with my Dad. Alas she must yield her coveted place in the garage for something much less enjoyable but necessary.
Obviously, as Buttercup is now 66 years young, this sale is “As Is, Where Is” with no warranty expressed or implied. I will assist in shipping any way I can, but the shipper must be chosen by the buyer. Buttercup is a solid, beautiful time capsule - and should only go to a good home where she will get the care she deserves.