From 1951 through 1956, the Patrician was the top of the line in standard-wheelbase luxury sedans at Packard. Here’s a look at the 1951 introduction.

When the totally redesigned 1951 Packards—the Twenty-fourth Series—were rolled out on August 24, 1950, the lineup included a new flagship model, the Patrician 400, to replace the Custom Super Eight. Developed over several years at a cost of $20 million, the new Packard line featured fresh but totally conventional styling by lead stylist John Reinhart, Patrician included.

And while all Packards for ’51 shared the same exterior theme, the Patrician Series 2406 was now the sole Packard in the Senior line (excluding the long-wheelbase specials), and it was available in just one body style, a roomy four-door Sedan. However, the Patrician and mid-range 300 Sedan shared the same 127-in wheelbase chassis and body shell, which featured a three-piece wraparound backlite.

As you would expect in a top-of-the-line Packard, the Patrician’s interior appointments were as nice as any in a volume-production automobile. The luxurious rubber-backed Wilton cut-pile carpets were reportedly the most expensive in the industry. “Fashion Forum” fine wool broadcloth fabrics were offered in a variety of colors, while the steering column and other hardware were chrome plated. In the rear compartment, passengers enjoyed both center and door armrests and hassock-style footrests. For a few dollars more, leather upholstery trim and a lap robe cord were available.

Even as the other Detroit automakers were switching to V8s, Packard remained the industry specialist in straight eights. For 1951, the old 356 cubic-inch eight was discontinued, so the Patrician’s standard engine was a 327 CID inline eight, but with nine main bearings to support the crankshaft rather than five as in the other Packards. With a 7.8:1 compression ratio and a Carter WGD two-barrel carburetor, the Patrician’s powerplant was rated at 155 hp at 3,600 rpm and 270 lb-ft of torque at 2,000 rpm. Packard’s unique Ultramatic automatic transmission (see our feature here) was standard in the Patrician and included in the list price of $3,652—directly in line with the Cadillac 62 Series.

Although the Patrician was ultimately displaced by the Caribbean convertible and hardtop as the most expensive and exclusive Packard, it remained the top of the line in four-door sedans (in standard wheelbase) through 1956. But all the while, the company’s fortunes were fading. The last Packard to roll off the line at the Detroit plant on June 25, 1956 was a Patrician. It was black, some reports say. There were Packards in 1957, but they were barely disguised Studebakers assembled in South Bend, Indiana.