Packard Custom Eight Overview: Generations, Specs and Buying Guide
Overview of the Packard Custom Eight cabrio (1927–1950): its single generation, 162 hp engine range, and which versions to buy.
The Packard Custom Eight is a cabrio produced from 1927 to 1950, offered with 162 hp across its range. With rear-wheel drive and a choice of manual or automatic transmission, it suits collectors and enthusiasts of classic American open-top cars who value a long-running nameplate with a simple, consistent mechanical layout.
Packard Custom Eight generations
1 generation (1927–1950)
The first and only generation of the Packard Custom Eight ran from 1927 to 1950 and was built exclusively as a cabrio. All versions deliver 162 hp through rear-wheel drive, and buyers could choose between Manual and Automatic transmissions. The lineup counts 3 modifications in total. The most notable versions are the Packard Custom Eight 5.8 MT and the Packard Custom Eight 5.8 AT (162 hp), both produced from 1948 to 1950 with a 5833 cc engine. The Packard Custom Eight 5.8 MT (1 generation) pairs its 162 hp engine with a manual gearbox, while the Packard Custom Eight 5.8 AT (1 generation) offers the same 162 hp with an automatic. No other body styles were offered in this generation: the model range stayed a cabrio throughout its entire 1927–1950 production span.
Because every version of the Packard Custom Eight produces the same 162 hp and drives the rear wheels, the choice between modifications comes down to transmission type rather than performance figures. The power range of the model as a whole is likewise flat, from 162 hp at the bottom to 162 hp at the top.
Which Packard Custom Eight to buy
- 5.8 MT (1 generation): the mass-market version with 162 hp from a 5833 cc engine, built 1948–1950 with a manual gearbox and rear-wheel drive.
- 5.8 AT (162 hp) (1 generation): the same 162 hp and 5833 cc displacement, built 1948–1950, but with an automatic transmission for easier driving.
When buying used, note that the newest Packard Custom Eight left the factory in 1950, so every example is a decades-old classic; the 1948–1950 versions are the latest ones and share a single 5833 cc engine, which keeps the search simple — the only real decision is manual versus automatic. With one generation and only 3 modifications, verifying that a specific car matches its declared version is straightforward.