Re: Packard Serial Numbers for 1958

Posted by BH On 2021/11/28 10:04:30

OK, maybe "rebagded" is a bit of an overstatement, but the 58s are still a Studebaker in Packard clothing.

In the images that you provided, you're comparing apples to oranges. The 58 Packard was not built on the Scotsman shell, but the larger Studebaker President shell (and chassis).

Still even the Scotsman fenders, all the way around, have feature lines in common with the Packard. Studebaker merely fabricated extensions to the front fenders to accommodate quad headlamps and tailfins to the rear fenders to accommodate the 56 Clipper taillights. Looks like they modified the 55-56 front bumper tooling. I believe the only unique piece of sheet metal is the hood. Other fiberglass extensions and bright grille work were produced to provide the unique front end.

This is NOT to say that the 58 Packards were bad cars. They were probably the most luxurious Studebaker product to roll off the South Bend line. The Hardtop is the best looking of the four models, IMHO. However, the 58s just weren't what previous Packard owners were looking for - as evidenced by sales numbers.