The 1950s was a time of great innovation for Packard, as the company introduced new models and features that helped to solidify its reputation as a top producer of luxury cars — like automatic transmissions and power steering.
Some notable Packard models from the 1950s include the Packard Clipper and the Packard Caribbean. The Clipper was a mid-priced car introduced in 1941, and was offered in a variety of body styles, including a convertible, a sedan, and a station wagon.
The Caribbean, on the other hand, was a high-end convertible that made its debut in 1953, and was known for its sleek, sporty design and powerful V8 engine.
See those convertibles and a dozen other 1950s Packard cars below in this collection of vintage ads!
Classic 1950 Packards with Ultramatic Drive
Your first sets minutes at the wheel will tell you: Packard Ultramatic Drive is superior to all the others — not only because of the things it does, but the things it aloes NOT do!
Just compare it with other leading automatic drives, on such points as the ones below. You’ll know, then, why impartial technical observers call this Packard achievement “the last word in automatic, no-shift control!
No clutch-pushing, no gear-shifting. Nothing new to learn. Just set the lever, step as the gas, and steer. Ultramatic is completely automatic.
No jerking, no “clunking” — berause in acceleration, there’s no gear-shifting anywhere, either by the driver or the transmission.
No slippage at cruising speeds. Ultramatic Drive saves gas — ends “racing engine” sensation — because you cruise in solid, direct drive.
No gear-shift lag — because there’s no gear-shifting. For instant bursts of safety-spring accessleration, just “tramp down!”
No down-shifts, which could cause dangerous skids on slippery pavement. Smooth, gradual engine braking power whenever you want it.
No clashing — Packard Ultramatic Drive lets you change easily, instantly, from Forward to Reverse. Yes, you can rock this car in snow!
Now – get the Plus of a Packard at the price or a car! (1951)
Pictured here are just three of the nine all-new models in America, most democratic fine car family. They differ, of course, in size, power and appointments.
But of this you can be certain: every car that carries the name PACKARD is the top quality car in its price class… with a price that makes it equally outstanding.
The more you shop around. these days, the more you’ll be convinced that the prestige of a Packard has never been so practical!
1951 Packard Patrician 400: Most advanced motor car in America
It has just one old-fashioned idea!
… the traditional Packard idea that every deep-down, hidden part must be as carefully finished as the things you see on the surface.
Old-fashioned idea? In an age of “on the surface glitter,” it might seem that way.
But actually, there are very practical dividends from this Packard idea: In longer-lasting safety and silent smoothness, and frugal freedom from service needs. It’s one of the big reasons why, of all the Packards built — in the last 52 years — over 50% are still in service!
So, if you’re buying with an eye on the years ahead — pay special attention to this one “old fashioned idea” in the year’s newest new car!
It’s more than a car — it’s a PACKARD. As the man who owns one.
Vintage ’51 Packard Patrician 400 car in yellow
1953 Packard Caribbean sports car convertible
Packard’s new caribbean is based on an Italian design, has a 180-HP engine, and an air scoop on its nose.
1950s Packard cars from ’54: For those who want the finest
For 55 years — longer than any other company in America — Packard has built cars of outstanding quality exclusively. Today, Packard presents two complete lines of great automobiles, each of which offers conclusive proof that Packard beauty is quality deep.
For those of you who want and can afford the very finest in customized luxury, we urge you to compare the brilliant new PACKARD with any other motor-car in the entire world.
For you who want Packard-built quality at a medium price, we invite you to inspect the spirited new Packard CLIPPER, which, we believe, is unquestionably the greatest quality value in its class.
Regardless of which you choose — the aristocratic PACKARD or youthful Packard CLIPPER — we know you will be more than satisfied. Owning either is a rewarding experience.
Both, of course, bring you the sleek beauty of “That Packard Look” … the advanced contour styling origi-nated by Packard which is today setting the pattern for all automotive design. But Packard beauty goes far deerer than the obvious good looks of these fine cars. “That Packard Look” is evident down to the very last detail of craftsmanship.
For instance, crankshafts for the proud PACKARD Patrician pictured above are patiently buffed in powdered walnut shells . . . because no other method achieves such a smooth finish.
Packard even goes so far as to chrome-plate the piston rings to assure the finest in performance. Rugged, soft-spoken Packard engines . . . Packard Ultramatic, acknowledged the finest no-shift drive… Packard Power Brakes . . . Packard Power Steering . . . and countless other advancements developed by Packard’s own engineers are among the many other advantages you can enjoy only in a Packard-built car.
Last, but not least, is the rich satisfaction you’ll experience knowing you drive a car of unquestioned prestige and distinction.
The New Packard 400 with Torsion-Level Ride (1955)
Greatest Ride Development in Automotive History: Pride of possession—a gleam in the owner’s eye. . . ardent admiration — a gleam in other eyes . . . this is the impression the new Packard is making on owner and onlooker, alike!
Packard engineers, in common with Packard designers, had exclusiveness as their objective. For only Packard has Torsion-Level Ride which eliminates coil and leaf springs . . . smooths the road . . . levels the load — automatically! In other cars, the twisting forces of wheel shock are sent to the frame, creating pitch and bounce and wracking of the frame and body.
In Packard, these same forces are transmitted along the new suspension system and absorbed before they reach frame or passengers. And an ingenious power-controlled levelizer keeps the new Packard always at “flight-level” regardless of load. Packard owners can be proud of more than the ride.
ALSO SEE: Big classic 50s Buicks, including the Roadmaster, Century and Super cars
A new “free-breathing” V-8 engine, 275 horsepower in the Caribbean, 260 in all other models, delivers more driving force to the rear wheek, at all road speeds, than any other American passenger ear engine. And new Packard Twin Ultramatic is the smoothest, most alert of all automatic transmissions.
Gracefully contoured and luxuriously appointed, here is the one new one in the line car field: the new Packard Four Hundred. Your Packard dealer will be happy to place the keys to a new Packard at your disposal … drive it and let the ride decide! Take the Key and See.
Pride of possession — a gleam in the owner’s eye… ardent admiration — a gleam in other eyes… this is the impression the new Packard is making on owner and onlooker, alike!
Packard engineers, in common with Packard designers, had exclusiveness as their objective. For only Packard has Torsion-level Ride which eliminates coil and leaf springs… smooths the road… levels the load — automatically!
In other cars, the twisting forces of wheel shock are sent to the frame, creating pitch and bounce and wracking of the frame and body. In Packard, these same forces are transmitted along the new suspension system and absorbed before they reach frame or passengers. And an ingenious power-controlled levelizer keeps the new Packard always at “flight-level” regardless of load.
Packard owners can be proud of more than the ride. A new “free-breathing” V-8 engine, 275 horsepower in the Caribbean, 260 in all other models, delivers more driving force to the rear wheels, at all road speeds, than any other American passenger car engine. And new Packard Twin Ultramatic is the smooth., most alert of all automatic transmissions. Gracefully contoured and luxuriously appointed, here is the one new car in the fine car field.
Your Packard dealer will be happy to place the keys to a new Packard at your disposal … drive it and let the ride decide!
Take the Key and See – Packard Division / Studebaker-Packard Corp.
1957 Packard Clipper: the new age of functional elegance!
PACKARD CLIPPER, Supercharged for ’57
Functional and elegant — here’s where the best of two automotive worlds meet — the best of the fun-to-be-driving feeling you get from nimble cars with their dashing performance and easy handling…the best of the luxury, comfort, elegance you find in the finest of fine cars.
This is the new Packard Clipper — with a built-in supercharger — and it’s considerately priced.
Vintage red 1958 Packard hardtop
Classic 1959 Packard Clipper Series Super Hardtop
1950s Packard cars: the ’59 310 HP Caribbean Convertible
NOW SEE THIS: Look back at 20 classic 1950s Studebaker cars, inside & out
