Packard Clipper, Yellow, for sale in Charlotte, North Carolina, for $56,995.

The Packard Clipper Sportster was the nicest of the Clippers, with more trim and flashy two-tone color combinations. This particular Clipper has been in the same family since it was new, and has a recent frame-on restoration, which was all that was necessary thanks to its incredibly low 23,187 original miles. For fans of late Packard motorcars, this is a highly unusual find, and thanks to its impressive condition, will be a delight for show-goers of all ages.

Replacing the Clipper business coupe, which had been missing from the Packard lineup since 1951, the Sportster was technically a 2-door sedan and not a hardtop, but most folks would be hard-pressed to spot the difference. It is finished in Carolina Cream with a burgundy roof, a very popular combination that looks especially good on these curvaceous automobiles. As a low-mileage original, the bodywork needed very little massaging to look this good, and the paint finish is simply spectacular. It is probably safe to say there can't be many Clipper Sportsters nicer than this one anywhere in the world. The Sportster also received some additional chrome trim, including vestigial chrome fins mounted to the rear quarters, as well as the simple stainless side trim that accentuates the car's length. Up front, the traditional Packard arched grille shape comes through loud and clear, and the cost to refinish all the brightwork on this car must have been truly shocking because it's extremely nice.

The interior has been completely reupholstered in red fabric accented by white vinyl, giving the Sportster an upscale look that doesn't seem dated. The wide bench is comfortable, and the chair-height seating offers a commanding view of the road ahead. A trio of gauges is mounted in their own pod ahead of the steering wheel, and they're all completely functional. The AM radio is just to the right in the usual location, with the speaker mounted below. New carpets and fresh mats with contrasting piping keep the floors clean, and the headliner is taut and wrinkle-free.

The Sportster received Packard's 327 cubic inch straight-8, which was rated at a robust 160 horsepower. Typical of Packard, the engine is smooth and torque, feeling like there's an electric motor under the hood. The automatic transmission was just overhauled at considerable expense, eliminating one of the most troublesome issues that restorers deal with on these cars. The chassis is 100% original and solid, with vintage 1954 undercoating on the floors. Newer shocks and a replacement exhaust system give it a new car feel, but there's something special about a low-mile original car that no restoration can match. The sole deviation from pure stock is a set of period-correct accessory Kelsey-Hayes chrome wire wheels that are a dazzling addition, especially with the new H78-15 wide whitewall tires.

Extensive documentation and restoration receipts are included, making this '50s Packard the one to own. Forget $100,000 Caribbeans, this Sportster offers all the great looks and performance for a fraction of the price. Call today!