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http://www.curbsideclassic.com/blog/cc-cohort/cohort-outtake-junked-packard-request-prototype/

Just noticed this Curbside Classic piece from last September. Additional pics of the modified car are shown in comments section below the article.

Nope, not an (official) Request prototype, no connection with Packard Motor Car Co. except for the original sale of the stock vehicle to someone. Just an owner's execution of his wishes to customize the vehicle, no doubt inspired by the Request.

More recent photos below.

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Good afternoon all...I do wonder if Packard would have sold more 1955/1956 Packards with the classic Packard grill.

For that matter, how about the sales volume of the 1948/1950 and 1951 to 1954 cars if they all had retained the classic Packard grills. It always seemed to me as a small boy at the time, that once the grill was like all of the other cars, the Packards began to look ordinary! Just one fellow's opinion. Ernie

Ernie - I think you are right.

Have been doing some image work-ups of a sedan and limo based on the Request and am left to conclude that the car's classic grill, perhaps raised a bit at the bottom and tapered in slightly, together with hardtop styling on the sedan and longer rear overhang could have completely turned around 1956 for Packard. As it was the company spent a fair amount of money fixing things that weren't broken. The classic grill was key and as you suggested, could have helped earlier too.

Had Studebaker gotten hardtop styling for its 2 and 4 door models that year in addition to the other changes S-P made, South Bend's bleeding might have also stopped.

the car...

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