Hi

Thanks for posting this, it's instructive to see how even a make so well entrenched and dominant as Cadillac was by then would still bother to make comparison arguments to persuade prospects.

As much as we like the Patrician, one has to realistically admit it comes off as less modern and less of a bargain in that time. Pile on top the second-to-none resale value retention of Cadillacs and every Packard dealer was really up against it, to say nothing about how Buick and Olds were eatting his lunch too.

This also points up how critical the model year 1954 was for Packard to field significantly restyled, updated and upgraded lines. Management had to know if they analyzed the competition correctly that Olds, Buick and Cadillac were overdue for a new body for '54. GM was, for the most part, settling into a three year body cycle by then, the '50-'53 stretching it a bit.

Nance should have started immediately when he arrived in May 1952 on a crash program to heavily restyle and modify the existing Contour models into lines that would compete more affectively with those new GM offerings. A new body was out of the question since there wasn't sufficient time between summer '52 and fall '53 to do a proper styling, engineering and tooling job for timely introduction. And when it came to engine, he should have done whatever necessary to light a hot fire under Engineering to get that new V8 engine ready for '54!

Steve

Regarding the '54 Chrysler New York Deluxe, it was the optimum choice as a road car.....only if one could have ordered them with stick shift and overdrive.

More!

A choice '53 Mayfair hardtop project:
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/4027766080.html

A cheap '53 Clipper sedan:
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/4059690979.html

A rough '53 Patrician parts car:
http://sanangelo.craigslist.org/cto/4056475550.html

A very nice '55 Clipper sedan:
http://nashville.craigslist.org/cto/4051064964.html

A '51 250 convertible project with parts car:
http://orlando.craigslist.org/cto/4056638611.html

Enjoy!

Hi

A fresh crop:

A '48 Super Eight project:
http://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/4038686920.html

A '38 Eight project:
http://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/4049845245.html

A '48 Station Sedan and very nice 'parts car' sedan:
http://monterey.craigslist.org/cto/4000146686.html

A '51 200 two door:
http://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/4044633235.html

A nice '40 110 Sedan:
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/cto/4046553743.html

A sweet 36K mile '51 200 sedan:
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/cto/4056777835.html

Steve

Hi

Welcome! Nice Mayfair you've got there. BTW, how did you close the trim retainer holes on the sides? I personally like the clean-sided look which is much the same as the Caribbean.

Steve

Hi Kev

Isn't that just the unfortunate world we live in? Make the finest Packard website available free and some people will still complain that something doesn't suit them! I have to add my daily appreciation and grateful thanks for all you do to provide us and all Packard enthusiasts with this wonderful service. I don't know what we'd do without you.

If you do decide to let that boorish lout of the irate email become a member, put him on notice that his conduct is under special scrutiny for any uncivil infraction.

Steve

Hi

A '49 Super Deluxe Eight, looks like a good project:
http://desmoines.craigslist.org/cto/4035734146.html

Steve

Hi Lionel

The reason I didn't include the '37 115 Six is they weren't all-steel bodies like the '38 and later models. While they '35-'37 120's and 115 are mostly steel, they have some wood structure, something the extreme rough roads could cause problems with.

As far as the '20-'28 Six, I'll leave that to those with direct knowledge of them. They too are tough cars but like any have their drawbacks.

One spare might be carried on the back in addition to one inside in the normal position.

Steve

Hi Jim L

Good for you! You planted the seed of old car interest in that young fellow's mind, we need that to happen much more often now. When an adult takes the time to share his car with the next generation, one never knows how that may come out. But it is one more chance that the next generation will start to take interest in and eventually develop the desire to own these cars when we no longer can.

Steve

Hi

Just my opinion having never been on such a adventure, but I think your optimum choice would be a '38-'42 Six or 110 two door sedan. They're the smallest, lightest yet roomy sedan available. With the rear seat removed, you'd have maximum room for whatever you need to take plus space enough to camp in the car if the pass-through to the trunk was open (might have to modify the body braces somewhat). There were also commercial chassis ambulances and hearses available in those years so heavier-duty components such as suspension, brakes etc might be obtained and fitted beforehand.

There were also taxi models offered from 1941-50 but very hard to find since most all were used up in service decades ago. Still, they do turn up, might be worth a search for one, those were tough cars too.

Turn to this website for good, accurate information you need as you begin your preparation of the car, there is a wealth of knowledgeable Packard folks here, as well as on the Packard Club Forum.

Steve

PS: Hope you will give these websites a boost when the car is ready by displaying PackardInfo and Packard Club logos and web addresses.

And More:

Two '55 Clipper sedans:
http://duluth.craigslist.org/cto/4014884521.html
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/ant/cto/4030404130.html

A sweet '41 110 convertible:
http://sandiego.craigslist.org/esd/cto/4019730303.html

A '37 115 sedan:
http://nashville.craigslist.org/cto/4032567912.html

A gorgeous '56 Executive hardtop:
http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/cto/4027147767.html

Steve

A '53 Patrician project, no photo:
http://cleveland.craigslist.org/cto/3990177003.html

A rough '41 120 sedan:
http://cleveland.craigslist.org/cto/4039768473.html

A '51 200 sedan:
http://cleveland.craigslist.org/cto/4042568781.html

A '38 Six sedan:
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb/cto/4019278351.html

Keep addin' 'em, Packard Men!