1948 Packard Super Eight Deluxe Limousine
Packard introduced its first all-new postwar design with rounded “Free Flow Styling” that divided automotive critics, yet the Fashion Academy of New York awarded the car its “Fashion Car of the Year” recognition.
The Deluxe Limousine variant sat on a stretched 148-inch wheelbase and featured coachwork by Henney of Freeport, Illinois. Seven-passenger capacity included plush upholstery, wide armrests, and two forward-facing jump seats in the rear compartment, with full accommodations for either private ownership or livery service.
Power came from an L-head 327 cubic inch inline eight-cylinder engine producing 145 horsepower at 3,600 RPM, connected to a three-speed manual transmission with optional overdrive. Independent front suspension used coil springs, while the live rear axle employed semi-elliptic leaf springs. Four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes handled stopping duties.
Production of long-wheelbase Super Eight models totaled approximately 1,740 units for 1948, with the Deluxe Limousine carrying a price tag of $3,800. The “Goddess of Speed” hood ornament distinguished these cars from lesser Packard models.
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