Old Cars Weekly – 29 August 2019

http://www.oldcarsweekly.com August29, 2019 ❘ 19

That model run extended over what

Packard called the 22nd and 23rd Series,

with up to 35 differences (many mi-

nor) that set one run apart from

the other, according to early

press releases from Pack-

ard itself. A huge number

of those cars left the De-

troit factory and pleased

numerous fi rst-time buy-

ers. We may suppose that

if one feature helped to

sell those cars more than

any other, it was, quite

simply, COMFORT.

Packard

promoted an “easy-chair”

feel in passenger comfort.

Individually wrapped seat

springs were used; the

cloth and/or burlap wrap-

ping kept metal from strik-

ing metal and thus avoided

squeaks in seats. Addition-

ally, the factory stated that

the fi rmness of seating was

controllable. A new-car buyer could lit-

erally assert his or her preference and

order the fi rmness by increasing or de-

creasing the number of coil springs.

This especially was true of the top-line

Custom Super Eight model, which prid-

ed itself on greatest comfort.

To prove the integrity of Packard

comfort, many survivors of that golden

era still have ample seat support. Adding

to the fi rmness is a height which seems

ergonomically “just right” for an adult

of average and above average height by

current standards. The inclination of the

rear seat also seemed well positioned for

comfort.

All this takes comfort as an “at-rest”

virtue. But the comfort was deeper than

that. When the car was at full gallop on

the street, comfort was sustained. Per-

haps the best means by which to measure

this benefi t was summarized in the rest-

fulness of drivers and passengers upon

arrival at their long-distance destination.

They felt rested, not restless. There were

no cramps either seeing there was plenty

of legroom.

When my son was slightly more than

a year old, he went with me on a 550

mile trip to Detroit, all the while enjoy-

ing the back seat of a 1950 Packard.

Being cautious, he was placed in a car

seat, strapped fi rmly, with an extra towel

underneath to avoid stress to the origi-

nal woolen interior. He hardly fussed

and quickly fell asleep. After the drive,

he was not cranky. He was ready to play

and explore! I would call that a comfort-

able ride.

Ventilation also augmented the com-

fort. Quarter-window visors were in

each sedan’s four doors, swiveling at the

light command of a crank. Front-seat leg

vents grabbed fresh air from the front

grille, thus adding to the circulation and

avoiding engine fumes. Packard folks

made much of this ventilation, saying

how it kept rain from entering while

magnifying the non-draft nature of cir-

culation.

The overall result: comfort. Drivers

had an extra measure of comfort. One

way in which highway miles can take a

toll on drivers is to endure road vibra-

tion and jostling conveyed through the

steering wheel and column. Packard

kept those negatives to a minimum.

Adding to that was the soft suspension

of the two series which went a long way

to augment the entire sensation of com-

fort.

Some may not agree with this assess-

ment of comfort. Granted, not all people

defi ne comfort the same way, and some-

times a car made it down the assembly

line without exiting exactly as intended.

Still, overall they had more than their

share of comfortable success. The 1948-

1950 Packards were made to deliver

comfort and longevity.

That’s one reason so many

exist to the present. And,

guess what — they still

feel comfortable

Packard did it right

back then as well as today,

when it comes to comfort.

There were other models

with similar high marks

in comfort. But that’s an-

other story.

Next time you speak to the man or

woman who owns one, ask they what

they think of their Packard when it

comes to comfort. Maybe even ask to

sit in the rear seat and experience it for

yourself.

I’ll bet you’ll smile.

“Packard promoted an

“easy-chair” feel in

passenger comfort.”

2019 2019 HooleyHooley

ThursdayThursday

Sept.Sept.12,12,

20192019

atat 3 pm3 pm

On the Campus of

Das Dutchmen

Ess enhaus

240 US Highway 20

Middlebury, IN 46540

BartelBartel&&CompanyCompanyAucAucƟƟonsons

DuringDuringthethe EverEverPopularPopularThursdayThursdayNight Cruise-InNight Cruise-In

Middlebury,Middlebury,ININ

CallCallororemailemailforforentryentryforms,forms,termstermsandandotherotherdetailsdetails

atat EssenhausEssenhaus

• --- ---- oror ....