Remember the Stylish 1946 Packard Clipper
The Packard Clipper was touted as "The No. 1 Glamour Car of America" and in 1946 buyers could see first-hand why it was loved by so many.
The Packard Clipper for 1946 was produced as a Deluxe Clipper Touring Sedan. The exterior design was stunning; the interiors were elegant. The exterior featured Packard's rakish lines with speed-stream styling, the fade-away fender, and the traditional contoured radiator grille. On the inside were luxurious broadcloth fabrics, lovely color combinations, and deep-seated comfort. The inside was roomy with plenty of individual space for every passenger without sacrificing headroom.
According to Packard, there were 68 brand new improvements for 1946. Some of these were finger-tip handling with a unique steering design and better weight distribution, Econo-Drive for better fuel economy, seat-roominess, and unobstructed vision for the driver.
Engine Details and Specifications
The standard engine used for the 1946 Packard Clipper was an eight-cylinder L-head engine made of specially treated alloy. Its bore and stroke was 3 1/4 inches by 4 1/4 inches, and the compression ratio was 6.85:1. It was rated at 125 brake horsepower at 3600 RPM. It featured a 95-pound crankshaft with five main bearings, main and connecting rod bearings that were removable, and steel strut pistons with oil control rings that were the coil-spring-expanded type. The engine was neutro-poised with three point rubber engine mountings.
The engine had full pressure lubrication for all the connecting rods, main bearings, the camshaft and piston pin bearings. It also featured lubrication to the valve tappets and had a floating oil screen. The fuel system was a duplex downdraft with two carburetors in one. It had a mechanical pump with a filter, a 17-gallon gas tank, and a gas tank filling signal. There was also an automatic choke, idling control, an air intake silencer, an air cleaner, and automatic heat control. Cooling the engine was a smooth process with thermostatic temperature control and the sealed cooling system with a pressure sealed filler cap. The cooling capacity was 4 1/4 gallons, and features included tubular radiator core, a 4-blade, 18-inch fan, cylinders that were surrounded completely by water, and a permanently greased and sealed water pump.
The clutch used this year was a semi-centrifugal clutch with a single dry plate. It was 10 inches in diameter and used a ball throw-out bearing. It was also permanently lubricated. The transmission was a carburized, synchronized transmission with helical gears. It featured 9 ball and roller bearings.
The Overdrive feature was called the Packard Econo-Drive and was available as an extra-cost option. It was operated electrically and reduced the engine speed by 27.8 percent without changing the car's speed.
Other Features
The frame on the Packard Clipper was an X-member type frame with box section side rails. For the front suspension, Packard used independent front-wheel suspension with double-acting shock absorbers along with a roll control bar. Also, the rear suspension used semi-elliptic springs measuring 54 3/8 inches x 2 inches. These had rubber and composition inserts included between the ends of the leaves. The rear suspension system also featured a fifth shock absorber, bearing spring brackets and shackles made of rubber, and direct acting, airplane type shock absorbers.
The electrical system consisted of a large capacity generator that was air-cooled and had automatic control. It used a 15-plate battery with 100-amp per hour capacity and sealed beam headlamps. The drive system was the Hotchkiss type using two roller bearing universal joints and a three-inch propeller shaft to a hypoid rear axle. For brakes, Packard installed the Servo-Hydraulic, self-energizing service brakes. The brakes had centrifuse brake drums and a mechanical handbrake to operate the rear wheel brake shoes.
The steering this year was worm type gear with three tooth rollers and was mounted on double row needle bearings and two tapered roller bearings. The car had a 21-foot turning radius with this type of steering. The Packard Clipper also had 44 ball and roller bearings to assure long life for the chassis. The wheels and tires were disc wheels with individual chain slots and 6.50 x 15 tires with 4-ply cord. The cars were built on a 120-inch wheelbase, and the overall length was 208 7/16 inches.
Packard cars had an all-steel body with special insulation to protect against the weather elements. There was safety glass throughout, and two upholstery selections were available for the interior. The cars had front arm rests as well as a center folding arm rest for the rear seat back. Each car had a large trunk with 17.2 cubic feet of cargo space. Buyers could choose from nine color and combination paint schemes for their car.
Instruments and Standard Equipment
The instrument panel had a modern look featuring oriental wood graining and trim made of chrome and plastic. It had indirect lighting and a rheostat control switch. The instrument panel featured an ammeter, an oil gauge, a fuel gauge, an engine temperature gauge, a speedometer, and a tripodometer. There was additional space to mount a radio speaker and push button controls when ordered.
The Packard Clipper also had much standard equipment for convenience, design, and comfort. It came with a bumper jack and tool equipment in case of emergencies. There were twin horns and two sun visors. To improve visibility, the car came with double, two-speed electric windshield wipers and a rear view mirror. A map light was included in the front compartment and a reading light in the rear compartment. The courtesy lights in the front compartment were automatic.
Also standard were an electric clock, an automatic cigar lighter (in the instrument panel), an automatic cigar lighter for the rear compartment (in the back of the front seat), two combination stop and tail lights, a turn indicator, and a new Side-guard bumper with bumper guards in the front and rear.
The 1946 Packard Clipper brings to memory this great company and all the remarkable features of its cars. Packard car fans still pamper and drive their beloved cars even though the company went out many years ago. Packard memories are alive and well at car shows, museums, and in garages around the world.
