Introduced for 1951 as the successor to the Custom Eight, the Patrician 400 marked a real departure for Packard, embracing the more contemporary ""three box"" design that separated the car into distinct engine, passenger, and cargo compartments, a look that was considered thoroughly modern for its time. Only 7,456 examples were built, and with a factory price of $3,735, the Patrician 400 sat at the very top of Packard's lineup as the brand's flagship sedan, making this a genuinely rare piece of American automotive history.
Finished in Regimental Gray Metallic, this Patrician 400 wears the elegant, understated color that suited its status as Packard's top of the line offering. Every Patrician came equipped with the same signature details, including the iconic Cormorant hood ornament, a vast amount of side chrome trim running along a horizontal grille, and distinctive cloisonne hubcap centers, all of which give this sedan an unmistakably luxurious, formal presence on the road.
Power comes from Packard's own 327ci straight eight engine, paired with the brand's proprietary two speed Ultramatic automatic transmission, a setup that every Patrician 400 was factory equipped with. This combination delivered smooth, refined power that matched the car's upscale positioning, making it a comfortable and confident cruiser in its day.
Inside, high grade wool broadcloth upholstery in classic gray tones creates a cabin that feels every bit as formal and well appointed as the exterior suggests, reflecting the craftsmanship Packard was known for during this era. The car also comes with information packets detailing its history, adding valuable documentation for the next owner.
The Patrician 400 was produced only through the 1956 model year, after which Packard shifted to badge engineered Studebakers built in South Bend, making this sedan part of the last true generation of genuine, independently engineered Packards. Owning this Patrician 400 means owning a piece of that final chapter, a rare and dignified example of one of America's great luxury marques at its peak.
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