1948 Packard Station Sedan
Winning the “Fashion Car of the Year” award from the New York Fashion Academy in 1948, this rare luxury wagon represented a striking departure from traditional woody construction. Launched as part of Packard’s redesigned 22nd Series, the semi-fastback roofline created an elegant silhouette that set it apart from conventional station wagons.
Unlike typical woodies, the ash and birch paneling was largely decorative, bolted to structural steel rather than load-bearing. The two-piece wooden tailgate anticipated a design that later became common on American wagons.
Power came from a 288 cubic inch L-head inline-eight producing 130 horsepower, paired with a three-speed manual transmission with optional overdrive. Though technically part of the Standard Eight line, these Station Sedans included Deluxe Eight features like a clock, trip odometer, and chrome horn ring.
Listed at $3,424, it was the most expensive short-wheelbase Packard, contributing to limited sales of this exclusive model. A total of 3,885 examples were built between 1948 and 1950, with the vast majority produced in the first year. Fewer than 20 are thought to remain today.
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