Classic American Automobile
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🇺🇲 On June 25, 1956, the last Packard rolled off the production line in Detroit.
🚘 Once a leading luxury car manufacturer, the Packard Motor Car Company was renowned for its square bodies and hand-finished expertise. However, after World War I, General Motors' entry into the luxury market with Cadillac began to erode Packard's market share.
🏭 In a bid to survive, Packard merged with the Studebaker Corporation in the 1950s. Despite these efforts, the struggle continued. James Nance, president of Studebaker-Packard at the time, decided to cease Packard manufacturing in Detroit.
💔 Studebaker-Packard continued to produce cars in Indiana until 1958, but the last “true Packard” is considered to be the one made in Detroit.
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1958 Packard Hawk
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Car Spot: 1958 Studebaker Golden Hawk
The story of a classic automotive underdog. The Studebaker Golden Hawk is this week's car spot.
Cool came too late for this car company …
Being an AMC geek I’m a big fan of underdog car companies and Indiana-based Studebaker is one for sure. Studebaker and Packard merged in 1954 in an effort to survive, but the lack of resources and revenue only fueled the company’s continued decline. Just when it looked like Studebaker would never recapture its “golden touch” enter the Golden…
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A Brief History of Packard
The Packard Motor Car Company was an American automobile manufacturer that operated from 1899 to 1958.
James Ward Packard and William Doud Packard
The company was founded in 1899 by James Ward Packard, his brother William, and a partner named George Weiss. The Packard brothers had previously built their own car and were looking to start a business manufacturing automobiles.
1916 Packard Twin…
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Astral Concept ('57 Studebaker-Packard)
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1955 Chrysler Falcon Concept
In 1951, Chrysler made a strategic decision to hire Virgil Exner, which ultimately saved the company from financial ruin in the mid-1950s. Exner's innovative designs, known as the 'Forward Look,' not only revolutionized Chrysler's product line but also influenced the entire American automotive industry's shift towards modernity. While General Motors (GM) was successful during this period, Harley Earl, GM's design chief, acknowledged the need to catch up with Chrysler's designs. Ford, on the other hand, made costly mistakes, such as introducing the Edsel and discontinuing the two-seater Thunderbird, which resulted in the company playing catch-up. The other automakers, including Hudson, Nash, Studebaker, and Packard, failed to impress consumers with their designs, leading to their eventual downfall. The only exception was the Avanti, which was a well-designed car but ultimately failed in the market. In conclusion, Chrysler's strategic hiring of Virgil Exner and his innovative designs played a significant role in the company's success during the mid-1950s, while other automakers struggled to keep up with the changing times.
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Studebaker-Packard Corp. 1956
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Elvis Presley’s 1971 Stutz Blackhawk
In 1961, Esquire magazine hit up famed former Studebaker and Chrysler designer Virgil Exner to envision what current-production cars from defunct luxury marques, i.e. Packard, Mercer, Duesenberg, and Stutz, would look like. Exner decided to produce a modern-day Duesenberg, but before the project could move forward, Fred Duesenberg secured the rights to the family name. The Duesey would not see the light of day.
Exner was undeterred, and decided to use the Stutz name, as it was in the public domain. Stutz began life in 1911 with production of the Stutz Bearcat, a pre-war sports and racing car. By the mid-1920s, Stutz had altered course, producing ultra-luxury cars. The Great Depression and stock manipulation would bring Stutz production to an end in the mid-1930s.
Virgil Exner joined with investor James O’Donnell to secure the rights to the Stutz name in 1968. They approached Pontiac division head John DeLorean about using the new Pontiac Grand Prix as the basis for their ultra-luxury car. The Grand Prixes were then shipped from the US to Carrozzeria Padane in Turin, Italy, to be stripped and re-fitted with the new Stutz bodies and interiors. When finished, the newly minted Stutz Blackhawks were shipped to their exclusive US distributor, Jules Meyer Pontiac in Los Angeles, California. Jules Meyer had been selected due to the dealer’s relationship with many high-profile Hollywood stars.
A number of two- and four-door models were offered from 1971 through 1995, with 617 examples delivered mostly through 1984, after which production slowed to a trickle.
Courtesy: Mecum Auctions
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🇺🇲 Let's explore the captivating story of The Packard Four Hundred—a symbol of luxury and prestige in mid-20th century automotive history! Introduced during an era of opulence and innovation, The Packard Four Hundred captivated drivers with its exquisite design and unrivaled craftsmanship.
🚘 The Packard Four Hundred made its debut in 1955 as the flagship model of the Packard lineup, representing the pinnacle of automotive luxury and elegance. Boasting sleek lines, chrome accents, and a commanding presence on the road, it quickly became a symbol of status and sophistication.
🛞 Beneath its elegant exterior, The Packard Four Hundred showcased advanced engineering and cutting-edge technology. Equipped with a powerful V8 engine, it delivered smooth and effortless performance, while its plush interior offered unmatched comfort and refinement for passengers.
💔 Despite its initial success and acclaim, production of The Packard Four Hundred came to an end in 1958. One of the key factors contributing to its discontinuation was the changing landscape of the automotive industry, marked by increasing competition and shifting consumer preferences.
🌟 Nonetheless, The Packard Four Hundred remains a symbol of automotive excellence and craftsmanship, leaving an indelible mark on the history of American automobiles.
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1958 Packard Hawk
this was the sportiest of the four Packard-badged Studebakers produced in that year, the final year of Packard production.
It was essentially a Studebaker Golden Hawk 400 with a fiberglass front end and modified deck lid.
It was positioned as an alternative to the market favorite Ford Thunderbird, which offered an all-new version in 1958 as well.
The Packard Hawk was powered by a supercharged Studebaker 289 V8 engine that produced 275 horsepower and 333 lb-ft of torque.
It was paired with a three-speed Borg-Warner automatic transmission and a Twin Traction limited-slip differential.
With its powerful engine and relatively light weight, the 1958 Packard Hawk was one of the fastest four-seat cars in America.
Only 588 Packard Hawks were built in 1958, making them relatively rare today.
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I remember going out for dinner as a small boy with my grandmother and her boyfriend. It was a special occasion for me because my family seldom ate out but also because he had a brand new glossy black 1956 Packard Patrician and I loved cars, still do. I remember him saying it was the best Packard he had ever owned and bemoaning the fact that the company would soon be out of business. The merger with Studebaker followed shortly thereafter.
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