Packard Mayfair

The name Mayfair^[4] was applied to the 1951–1953 Packard 250 as a hardtop coupe nameplate built by the Packard Motor Corporation in an attempt to compete in this body style with the Oldsmobile 98 Holiday, Buick Roadmaster Riviera, Lincoln Capri and Chrysler New Yorker Newport hardtop coupes. It was named for the City of Westminster's luxurious district Mayfair in London, England.^[1] The coupe body style was also used for a convertible, while the Mayfair model name was exclusive to the hardtop.^[1]

Model 2467-2469 (1951)/2577-2579 (1952)/2677-2679 (1953)
1953 Packard Mayfair
Overview
Manufacturer	Packard
Model years	1951–1953
Assembly	Packard Automotive Plant, Detroit, Michigan, United States
Body and chassis
Class	Full-size luxury car
Body style	2-door hardtop 2-door convertible
Layout	Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive
Related	Packard 200 Packard 300 Packard Caribbean (1953) Packard Patrician
Powertrain
Engine	327 cu in (5.4 L) 4-bbl. L-head I8 (212 hp)[1]
Transmission	2-speed Ultramatic automatic 3-speed manual w/overdrive
Dimensions
Wheelbase	122 in (3,099 mm)
Length	209.4 in (5,319 mm)
Width	77.8 in (1,976 mm)
Height	62.3 in (1,582 mm)[2]
Curb weight	3,820 lb (1,733 kg)[3]
Chronology
Successor	Packard Pacific

When the Packard body style was updated for 1951, the door handle was concealed and aligned with the chrome beltline that surrounded the side windows, bottom of the windshield and rear window.

The Mayfair came standard-equipped with a three speed manual transmission, while Packard's Ultramatic automatic transmission, four-way power seat, leather upholstery, power steering, power assist "Easamatic" drum brakes, heater and windshield defroster, chrome cormorant hood ornament, and power windows were available as extra cost options.^[1] The Convertible came standard with leather upholstery and a power operated top, and had a retail price of $3,939 ($46,144 in 2023 dollars ^[5]) while the hardtop was offered at $3,234 ($37,962 in 2023 dollars ^[5])

The Mayfair was succeeded in 1954 by the Pacific, which achieved Senior status with the inclusion of the larger 359 cu in (5.9 L) 4-bbl. L-head Straight-eight engine and full "senior trim" of the Packard Patrician, while the Convertible continued as the Model 5479 Convertible and the all-new Packard Caribbean.^[6]

• 
  1952 Packard Mayfair (rear)
• 
  1953 Packard Mayfair
• 
  1951 Packard 250 Convertible
• 
  1952 Packard 250 Convertible
• 
  1953 Packard 250 Convertible

Packard 250 Series
Year	hardtop and convertible
1951	4,640[1]
1952	5,201[1]
1953	6,668[1]

References

1. Flory Jr., J. "Kelly" (2008). American Cars, 1946-1959 Every Model Every Year. McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. ISBN 978-0-7864-3229-5.
2. "1954 Packard Pacific & Caribbean Series 5431 Mayfair Hardtop Coupe". Classic Car Database. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
3. "5477 Packard Pacific Hardtop". Packardinfo.com. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
4. Auto Editors of Consumer Guide: 50 Years of American Automobiles, p. 313 (New York: Beekman House, 1989. ISBN 0-517-68640-6)
5. 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.
6. Langworth, Richard M.: Illustrated Packard Buyer's Guide: All Packard Cars and Commercial Vehicles, 1899 to 1958, pp. 109-113 (Osceola, WI: Motorbooks International, 1991. ISBN 0-87938-427-1)