OK, the following site mentions the 1947 Packard "truck"...

http://southflorida.metromix.com/arts-culture/history/fort-lauderdale-antique-car-fort-lauderdale/127667/content

However, when I go to the Ft. Lauderdale Museum site, there's NO information regarding it.

Guess I'll have to call them...

I don't recall where I read/saw a reference to this vehicle, but a museum in Florida was supposed to have one.

Is it true? Does anyone have pictures/descriptions?

That IS a very handsome example!

I need to pay more attention to Packard break wagons - not particularly being a fan, I have ignored them for the most part.

For the most part I agree with you, AL...

But IIRC, Ward's book states that Packard's people DID NOT EXAMINE Studebaker's books! As a result, Studebaker was able to hide just how much money they were bleeding until AFTER the merger was complete.

Does anyone have any more information on the '41 wagon? I'm going to go out on a stylistic limb here and say it's the best-looking Packard wagon EVER!...

Mal,

Out of curiosity, is there any record of how many Packards were sent to AU when new? And were they all RHD?

IMHO 2 things did in PMCC, at the end...

1. That dreadful merger with Studebaker. I realize each company was desperately SEEKING a merger at the time, but if Packard had stayed away, they would have had more $$ to fix ongoing issues.

2. They were trying to be all things to all people (see point #1). Had Packard gone back to (as Nance initially wanted, from what I've read) producing high-end luxury automobiles, they might have stuck it out. But they couldn't compete with the Big 3 re model changes and offerings(and neither could any of the other independents).


Personally, I think the 55'-56' style is CONSERVATIVE, and the design holds up better than Cadillacs and Lincolns for those years. Nor do I think they were too innovative (after all, Chrysler adopted both torsion-bar suspension and PB transmissions!).

Wow! I never got close enough to it to see it was a Caribbean!

At FIRST I thought it was a daily driver...but I don't think it's moved since I first spotted it!

Imagine my surprise when I did a Google search for 'cars manufactured in Findlay, OH' (my home town) and came up with THIS...

http://www.findlayliving.com/?p=24

The Grant!

Y'know, Kev, last year in Hemmings Classic Car a guy was mentioned who's taking otherwise-junk early 50's Packards and turning them into El Packaminos or Packarcheros.....now THERE'S a truck for ya!