1951 Packard 250 Convertible
Packard’s legendary straight-eight engine found expression in the 250 Convertible, one of two Series 250 body styles for 1951 and the only soft-top offered in the lineup that year (the companion model was the Mayfair hardtop).
The 327 cubic inch (5.4 L) L-head inline eight in Series 250 trim produced about 150 horsepower at 3,600 rpm, paired with a standard three-speed manual transmission, while Packard’s Ultramatic automatic was optional.
Introduced during the 1951 model year to fill the gap left by the absence of convertibles in Packard’s initial 24th Series launch, the 250 featured distinctive styling touches including three chromed “jet louvers” on each rear quarter panel and bright rocker and lower body moldings along the front fenders and doors.
The traditional Packard cormorant (often called a pelican in factory literature) hood ornament, special grille treatment, full wheel discs, and standard rear fender shields visually separated the 250 from the plainer 200 models.
The 250 Convertible carried an upscale price in the low-to-mid $3,000 range depending on equipment, positioning it above the 200 and close to the 300 in Packard’s 1951 hierarchy.
Interior appointments included better-quality upholstery (typically leather or leather/cloth), additional brightwork, and power conveniences available as extra-cost options, all consistent with its near-luxury price point.
Production numbers underscore the model’s rarity, with total 1951 Series 250 output at 4,640 units, of which approximately 2,570 to 2,572 were convertibles, the remainder being Mayfair hardtop coupes.
This relatively low build makes the 1951 250 Convertible one of the scarcer early‑1950s Packards, especially when compared with higher-volume 200 and 300 sedans.
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