For 1948, Packard’s new 22nd Series used a wider and lower adaptation of the sleek Clipper lines, ruling out a traditional station wagon body. Instead, Packard took four-door, six-passenger sedans off the production line, and the body supplier, Briggs Manufacturing Company, changed the roofline to incorporate a liftgate and tailgate. Using ash and maple, Briggs converted the sedan into a full station wagon and installed steel supports at the B-posts and D-posts. It was also the most expensive of the short-wheelbase Packards, as it sold for $3,424.

This stylish 1948 Packard Station Sedan is painted in Cavalier Maroon and has undergone an extensive cosmetic and mechanical restoration. The exterior birch framing was restored by a specialist in New Zealand while the car was there for a 1,200-kilometer tour of the South Island. The interior ash was replaced by the well-known Antique Auto Restorations, of Seaside, California. More recently, the Packard has been repainted and the wood has been refinished to its original luster. The chrome was also re-plated, leaving the brightwork free of any serious blemishes, and it continues to exhibit an excellent shine.

All aspects of the drivetrain have been serviced and rebuilt where necessary, for trouble-free motoring. The Packard straight eight runs smoothly, and the three-speed transmission shifts quietly and easily. The Electromatic clutch enables shifting between second and third gears without the clutch, and the overdrive enables easy cruising for highway travel. As it stands, this Packard Station Sedan is ready for show, tour, or simply for a fun afternoon on the road.