1954 Packard 5479 Convertible Coupe

Car information

54 PACKARD CONVERTIBLE COUPE- Model 5479 with 359 cubic inch engine

Speculation is that the car arrived in Australia from the US around 1989/90 and was purchased by Paul Sinclair in 1993 from a dealer in QLD. From 1995 it was on display at the Caboolture Historical Village for a number of years while Paul worked in Israel. Paul then moved to Sydney and he and the car became regular attendees at our Club runs and National Rallies. I purchased the car from Paul’s son in Jan 2010 after Paul’s untimely and sad passing. History of the car in it’s place of birth is not known but an original car dealership sticker on it’s boot stating “RAMSEY MOTOR CO-Monterey, California suggests its original home. Paul also used to say that it was thought that it had been in a private museum of the late pianist Liberace. My view is that this convertible with deference to the mighty Caribbeans was probably one of the best looking American convertibles available during the early fifties. It is well appointed with rich leather interior, a “wonderbar” self-seeking radio with a power antenna and full heating /demisting functions as well as blinkers. Power steering, brakes, windows and seats were also available as options. All this at a time when Packard was on a slippery slope towards oblivion. Performance from the 359 and general comfort is very good for a car of this age with bucket loads of torque and comfortable cruising speeds with the manual transmission with overdrive available. Still a delight to drive at 66 years young. Unsolicited comments from a twenty-something stating “love your car, want to go out and pick up some chicks” – surely indicates the style of this car still resonating today. It is a car of its times representing very succinctly American culture, affluence and aspirations of the early fifties.