Packard’s first all-new post-war cars, the 22nd Series, debuted on July 25, 1947. They were styled at Briggs Manufacturing Company, Packard’s body supplier, under chief designer Albert Prance, and the new style combined the slab-sided modern idiom with a horizontal version of Packard’s traditional grille. The first model to enter production was the convertible victoria, which was a body style that had been absent from the catalogue since the war.

The new Packard received its share of accolades in the day. The Fashion Academy of New York deemed it the Fashion Car of the Year, and it was awarded prizes at shows in Caracas, Luzerne, Sofia, and Monte Carlo.

This beautiful and correct 1948 Packard Super Eight Convertible Victoria underwent a ground-up restoration in 1999; this restoration was completed to factory standards and beyond, and it was performed by highly skilled and well-known Detroit-area automobile restoration specialists.

The body was completely stripped to bare steel, metal-finished, and primed. The low-mileage body, with unblemished rocker panels, was as solid as any had ever seen. Numerous coats of primer were block-sanded to ensure die-straight sides. The car is painted in a computer-matched original French Blue, which was discovered under the deck lid and was a color that was only available on convertibles.

The undercarriage was completely cleaned and painted in correct satin-finish black. A new stainless tail pipe and a new old stock (NOS) muffler were recently fitted to the car. All mechanical components were tested and work as original, or they were replaced with correct NOS parts. An entirely new, color-correct wiring harness was made by Potomac Packard and installed.

All electro-hydraulic cylinders were replaced, and new lines were added, where necessary, for the power windows, top, and front seat. The system now runs on clean, safe automatic transmission fluid. The car also has an original Packard under-seat heater. The interior was completely replaced in proper top-grain red leather, which was an original option on the early ’48 Super Eights. The top is new and made from Stayfast material in the correct black with a tan liner, and it includes a parade boot and a correct boot bag for storage.

All chrome parts were show-plated, and all stainless pieces were straightened and polished. The carpet in the car is the correct deep red, and a complete set of fitted, custom red carpet floor mats with binding were made to protect the wool carpet.

The only things left untouched were the internal engine components. It was purchased in 1991 and has been driven barely 39,000 miles. The removal of the oil pan showed minimal wear, and the engine has good oil pressure and does not smoke. It purrs like a Packard straight eight should. The exterior of the engine and its components were restored and painted to factory specs, in factory-correct colors. Plated parts and fasteners were restored with correct plating to the original.

The R-9 overdrive works perfectly, allowing the car to cruise comfortably at highway speeds. It has an auxiliary six-volt electric fuel pump, which was unobtrusively installed to aid in cold starts. There is also a master kill switch under the driver's seat, which was installed as a safety feature.

The 22nd Series Super Eight used the larger 327-cubic inch engine in the 120-inch wheelbase chassis of the Standard and Deluxe Eights, which provided better performance and effortless cruising. This car is superbly restored and runs flawlessly. It has been equipped with factory overdrive and has especially long legs, which is excellent for touring in today’s traffic.

Shortly after completion of the restoration, the Packard won several national first place awards, including the Packard Club’s 2000 National Best of Show in the post-war category. It was also a first prize award winner at the Packard Magnum Opus centennial meet in Warren, Ohio, and it has appeared multiple times at the Meadow Brook Concours d’Elegance. Award certificates and badges are included with the car, and the owner has reported that the restoration has held up remarkably well, thanks to constant care in his collection.

This Packard, which is beautiful to look at and a delight to drive and show, will be a joy to own.