1951 Packard Patrician 400 4dr Touring Sedan

The Packard Patrician ran from model years 1951 through 1956. During its six years in production, the Patrician was built in Packard's Detroit facilities on East Grand Boulevard. The word "patrician" is Latin for a ruling class in Ancient Rome. In 1951, Packard started using a numeric naming structure that designated Packard's least expensive models as Packard 200 and 200 Deluxe while two-door hardtop and convertibles were designated Packard 250 and its mid-range sedan the Packard 300. The highest trim level available was the Packard Patrician 400. The Patrician 400 replaced the previous model year's Super 8 model range. The car was easily identified from other Packards by its chrome trim; in 1951 the model featured three chrome ports on its rear fenders while in 1952 the car featured four chrome ports, a styling approach similar to GM's Buick luxury vehicles. Patricians and 300s also sported a slightly revised grille which included chrome "teeth" in its oval area in 1951.

The Patrician 400 was available only as a premium, four-door sedan, outfitted with high-grade upholstery and chrome trimming within. With a list price of approximately $3,662 it was the most expensive regular Packard offered. Introduction of the Patrician was, together with most other Packards (250s were delayed), in August 1950. Production totals for 1951 came to 9,001 Patrician 400 units, and 3,975 units for 1952. The 400 model name was dropped for model years 1953 and 1954; however the Patrician name continued to occupy the premium trim level Packard from 1953 through 1956.