Re: All 7 Packard Concept Cars at One event!!

Posted by BH On 2009/7/26 8:36:37

LINC400 -

I don't recall ever hearing that Packard concepts cars were supposed to be at Meadowbrook, but I don't really follow that event.

This Fairfield Concours is the only event I know of that will feature all those concept cars. PackardInfo is the first and only place I heard about it, but I don't circulate much in hobby circles anymore.

The last time I ever heard of any attempt to round-up many Packard concepts for a specific event was the 1999 Centennial show at Warren. The Predictor was there (in a rare appearance outside of South Bend), along with all four surviving Panthers, and (IIRC) at least one Pan American, but the Request was not (due to Mr. Dopps health, from what I've heard).

The first time I heard Ralph Marano's name in conjunction with Packard, was several years ago (but after the Centennial), when I saw his PanAm on the show field at Fall Hershey. I believe it has only been in recent years that he acquired the other five cars. In collecting and restoring these cars, he has been able to achieve what many enthusiasts could only dream about.

I'm kicking around the idea of making the 8-hour drive for that once-in-a-lifetime event, but don't know if I can get out from under the load between work and home (or if my back will take it in a lame old Brand X car).