Postwar Packards were reintroduced to the market in October, 1945. A limited number of standard body styles were available at first. The full line of standard Packards were in production by April, 1946. Super Eights started rolling from the assembly line in May, with the complete line in production by June of 1946. A total of 30,793 were sold, making Packard America's 14th largest producer at year end.

1946 Packard Highlights
Instruments were grouped in a newly redesigned panel offering what Packard called "at-a-glance" readability. Highly promoted were automatic chokes on all engines, rotary door latches, safety glass, counterbalanced trunk lids and "chatter-proof" glove compartments.

Packard Models

1946  Clipper Six  (6-CYL)  SERIES 2100
Although given a new designation as Twenty-First Series models, the 1946 Packards were an extension of the 1942 Clipper line with practically no changes. The Clipper design had been started in 1941, but with pent-up demand for new cars, built-up over four war years, there was no time, nor any need for all new-models.

A single body size was used for Packards, even though length of the wheelbase varied by series. Changes in length were taken up, ahead of the firewall, with longer front end sheet metal. Clippers were easy to spot, because unlike other models, the horizontal grille extension bars running below the headlights did not wrap around the front body corners. In addition, the Six did not carry model identification script below the vent windows and on the front doors.

Available body types included:

• A two-door club sedan, with a fastback roofline and
• A conventional four-door sedan with a notch back (or 'humped' back) look. Also
• A Taxicab sedan and a Taxicab sedan with a driver's partition were available, with six-cylinder power only.

Clipper Standard & DeLuxe Eight (8-CYL) SERIES 2101/2111
The basic Clipper Eight was marketed only in four-door trunk sedan (notch back) form. It carried a door script to identify the series designation and was listed as the only car in the 2101 Series.

A DeLuxe 2111 Series included both this model and the fastback club sedan. Identification for the fancier cars was achieved by placing special bi-level scripts on the door, below the front vent window. DeLuxes also featured wraparound type grille extension bars, fancier wheel trim treatments, more window moldings and richer interior trim.

(Note:Taxicabs were not normally provided on the eight-cylinder chassis).

Super Clipper Eight (8-CYL) SERIES 2103
The Super Clipper Eight was on a seven inch longer wheelbase than the lower priced Packards. It featured wraparound grille extension bars, upgraded wheel trim treatments, a 'humpier' looking rear deck and carried a single-level door signature script reading 'Super Clipper'.

Both a four-door and two-door were offered in a single level of trim. The club sedan was a fastback.

Custom Super Clipper Eight (8-CYL) SERIES 2106/2126
Packard's top-flight cars appeared without front door scripts to identify their upper crust status. They did, however, have wraparound grille extension bars to help avoid confusion with low priced Clipper Sixes for buyers unable to detect differences in size. Of course, a look inside at the rich interior appointments  further distinguished these high dollar machines.

They were built off two of Packard's longest platforms, either the 127 inch wheelbase chassis, shared with Super Clippers, or the 140 inch extended wheelbase chassis used for seven-passenger sedans and limousines. Of course, the biggest Packard motor, with its nine-bearing crankshaft and silent hydraulic lifters, was used on these series cars.

Engines

• Clipper Six Series. Inline L-head Six: Displacement: 245.3 cid. Bore and stroke: 3.50" x 4.25". Compression ratio: 6.7:1. Horsepower: 105 @ 3600 RPM. Four main bearings. Solid valve lifters. Carburetor: Carter Type WA1 one-barrel Model 530S.
  
  
• Clipper Standard/DeLuxe Eight Series. Inline L-head Eight: Displacement: 282.04 cid. Bore and stroke: 3.25" x 4.25". Compression ratio: 6.85:1. Brake horsepower: 125 @ 3600 RPM. Five main bearings. Solid valve lifters. Carburetor: Carter Type WDO two-barrel Model 512.
  
  
• Super Clipper and Custom Super Clipper Series. Inline L-head Eight: Displacement: 356 cid. Bore and stroke: 3.50" x 4.625". Compression ratio: 6.85:1. Horsepower: 165 @ 3600 R.P.M. Nine main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Carburetor: Carter Type WDO two-barrel Model 531S.

Significant Options

• Heater.
• Radio.
• Fender skirts.
• Wheel trim rings.
• White sidewall plastic discs.
• Roof-mount radio antenna.
• Two-tone paint.

Chassis

• Wheelbase: (Series 2100, 2101 and 2111) 120 inches; (Series 1203 and 2106) 127 inches; (Series 2126) 148 inches.
  
• Overall length: (Series 2100, 2101 and 2111) 208.4 inches. (Series 2103 and 2106) 215.5 inches.
  
• Front tread: (all) 59-1/4 inches.
  
• Rear tread: (Series 2100) 60-9/16 inches; (Series 2101 and 2111) 60-13/16 inches; (Series 2103, 2106 and 2126) 60-11/16 inches.
  
• Tires: (Series 2103, 2106) 7.00 x 15; (Series 2126) 7.50 x 16; (other series) 6.50 x 15.

Packard advertising highlighted their front roll control bar, fifth shock absorber, that the car was car wider than high, and had a low center of gravity.

1946 Packard Ads - to see these ads, Click HERE!