Hi Gentlemen

Interesting concept renderings. The overall design and features are consistent with European trends. The similarity to the Mercedes-Benz 300D 'Adeneur' sedan, Jaguar Saloons as well as coach built Rolls-Royces and Bentleys by James Young is most striking.

As to their marketability here: only for '48-'50 as follow up to the 21st Series Clipper and then only as Senior models. It would be folly to buck the GM styling trendsetting by shear saturation taking place at the time. This is not to say they should have dismissed the classic radiator design for the senior line, just integrated it onto contemporary body architecture.

The Predictor-styled 1957's: my view is these cars would have been held on par with the Chrysler Forward Look lines. Finally, cars completely competitive with the Big Three offerings. Long, low, clean, rectilinear, and contemporary: at last, separating Packard from Clipper allowing each to compete in its specific market. Fact was an introduction before the '58 model year was nearly impossible. Just wish they had built this last series before their demise.

That Cadillac styling model labeled "1946 Cadillac Interceptor" was developed into a running prototype called the Cadillac C.O. (Commissioned Officer). Regarding this design, the following is quoted from the book: A Century of Automotive Style: 100 Years of American Car Design by Michael Lamm and Dave Holls. Page 110

"...., though, while Hershey was interim head of the Cadillac studio, he'd designed what came to be called the "Cadillac C.O." The C.O. was very much an expression of what GM had envisioned a postwar car to be: rounded, high, fat beltline, pontoon fenders, wraparound windshield, coved headlights. In 1946, Cadillac made a running metal prototype of the C.O. and tested it at the GM Proving grounds near Milford, Michigan. While the C.O. performed well, Harley Earl and the Cadillac people weren't at all taken with the styling. What Earl didn't like was the high beltline. It made the body look over-weight and bulky. According to Bill Mitchell as interviewed by C. Edson Armi, Earl came in one day and said "To hell with that big, blown-up thing [meaning the C.O.]", and he started in a totally different direction. "If he [Earl] saw something wasn't going" Mitchell told Armi, "he wasn't a diehard."

At the cost of raising the ire of 22nd & 23rd series enthusiasts, I wish Ed Macauley had done the same thing before approving that design for production!

Steve

Hi

Congratulations, you bought an interesting and highly desirable Twelve to restore! The first time you drive that relatively light sedan on the short 1506 chassis, you're going to find it is one very peppy car!

That 473 c.i. '37 Twelve is rated at 175 hp at 3200 rpm, more rpms than you'd ever want to run it for long but more important is the torque: 366 lb/ft at 1400 rpms. At about double an idle, it makes the maximum torque, you'll need a light foot on that accelerator!

Steve

Hi Eric

Thanks, I knew you wouldn't mind but I was taught to ask permission first.

I hope eventually, if enough people use the exclusion list function, those spam sellers will give up and go away.

BTW, still sketching, nothing looks good yet.

Steve

Hi Eric

May I use your eBay turd exclusion list with Studebaker substituted for Packard to help out the guys on the Studebaker Driver's Club Forum?

Thanks!
Steve

Hello Gentlemen

Truly, Packardom has lost another of it's Champion Standard Bearers. He was a prescient individual, recognizing the intrinsic value of Classic Era Packards at a time when most were still discarding such treasures.

I had the pleasure of meeting Ed Blend only once at Hershey, briefly. Unhappily, I never had an in-depth discussion with him. But, I have been informed and entertained by his writings in both Packard and Classic Car Club publications.

RIP Ed Blend, you'll never be forgotten. I hope Ed is now enjoying his choice of '34 Twelves. If it truly is Heaven, he should have his choice, driving it on a glorious warm sunny day on an uncrowded scenic highway!

Steve

Hi

Ghastly and Pretentious!

Plastering a new car with design hallmarks does not a Packard make!

Steve

Hi LINC400

Thanks for your input and compliment. Backgrounds are always a problem, but my approach is limited by selfish considerations.

The primary purpose of my art is to showcase the design of the car. With that objective, the background wants to be period appropriate but very much secondary, even innocuous. This might limit the appeal to some folks, as you point out, though that's a chance any artist takes when he thinks of doing anything commercial.

When these are made available as prints, I hope the customer will buy them only for the pleasure the car's design. I imagine most automotive art buyers are interested in art suggesting a narrative, which I really don't care to imply with my works. My prints will be called "Purely for the Pleasure of the Design" editions. May guarantee low sales money losers but that's okay with me.

The subjects I currently use as backgrounds are Art Deco or Prairie School (Frank Lloyd Wright and contemporaries) design building. I have to freely admit, I'm not very satisfied with my watercolor landscape (trees, plants, etc.) technique, that's why I don't use those type of backgrounds.

As for the method to create the prints, I'm looking into giclee, its produces the best quality, but is somewhat expensive.

Thanks again for your input.

Steve

Hi LINC400

Thanks for your input, for a look at my art, they're in the Pre-War 1899-42 section, under "My Design Concept for ... posted by 58L8134.

Steve

Hi John

That's IT! That Rolls-Royce Brewster Sport Sedan is the primary inspiration for my design!

Thanks, I'd forgotten it is pictured in this fine book, and it sets right on the same shelf with the other books listed. Wish they had also shown a rear three quarters view, it's just a knock-out!

I was also reminded how surprised I was when I first read the caption calling it a "Newmarket Sedan by Brewster". Since every other use of the term referred to a convertible sedan, I still wonder why it was used to describe this car. Seems every other Brewster body type received evocative monickers, except the sport sedans.

Regardless of my surprise, now you know where the thought processes began for my design.

Steve

Hey Eric

I'll sketch up some ideas from your description, send them to you to see if they're close to what you have in mind.

Steve