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1952 Packard Pan American sports car, seven-eights right side view, man behind wheel

Packard Motor Car Company

Detroit Public Library

Packard automobile--History

Automobile industry and trade--History

Automobiles--United States--History

EB01e448

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8x10 black and white Packard Co. file photograph of a 1952 Packard seven-eights right side view. Inscribed on photo back: 1952 Packard "Pan American" sports car, twenty-fifth series, model 2531 (modified 250 convertible, 6-person, body type #2579), 8-cylinder, 185-horsepower, 122-inch wheelbase, special show car, first of six built by Henney (designed by Richard Arbib), the 250 was sectioned 4-inches & otherwise lowered by suspension, hood had functional air scoop, the grille was standard, with its outer bars shaved & mesh inserts added, Hudelson-Whitebone continental spare tire added by shortening the rear deck lid, by adding to the splash pan & by moving the rear bumper aft slightly, round tail lights matched parking lights, back seat eliminated; top boot covered by metal lid (although the original Pan American had no top fitted!), Henney made wire wheels out of old ones, new wheels being then unavailable, exterior; metallic gold, interior: top grain oyster white leather on seats, dash, door panels, sun visors, & steering wheel, contrasting leather on steering wheel spokes, door trim panels, door handles, pleated seat sections, rear panels of seat backs, original Pan American shipped to New York 24 March 1952 for opening on 29 March at Grand Central Palace of the International Motor Sports Show, where it was awarded a first place trophy for "Outstanding Automotive Design and Engineering Achievement," this car later sold to Macauley family.