Re: Does this station wagon still exist?

Posted by BH On 2013/2/25 19:34:20

I don't recall any mention of the Henney Super Station Wagon in the "Kimes book". (The change in the Bookshelf entries to indicate "Author" as "Martin, Bradley, et al" was unnecessary, and I completely disagree with that action.)

I vaguely remember an article showing pix of a car like that, but abandoned and vandalized, with windows smashed out. It may have been The Packard Cormorant, but I've no way to check as I have since disposed of my collection of that publication. IIRC, the one-off car was ultimately scrapped.

While I don't think there was much market for a wagon with a "wet bar", it's a shame that Packard didn't pick up on the idea, which seems ahead of its time. For example, I don't recall third-row, rear-facing seats prior to the 1960s. With a little tweaking, and a Jr. model, as well, wagon models might have been just what Packard needed for some additional sales in those years.

Meanwhile, the "El Paso" station wagon is something completely different and never rolled off the factory assembly line. Rather it is one three "Ghost Packards" commissioned by Carl Schneider and featured in the April 2002 issue of Collectible Automobile. One of the cars was based on actual factory drawings that were discivered abroad, and another was based on design described by Macauley in a Saga magazine article. However, I'm not sure of inspriration for the wagon. IIRC, it has since undergone some revision WRT interior and "endgate".

Not long after those cars appeared in CA, Schneider was a featured guest at the annual Perrysburg, OH meet. He had faux brochures made, in the style of factory-published material of the period, and while stock of those brochures were available for sale at that meet, the price was too rich for my pocketbook.

I suspect the eBay offering (#140921684514) is NOT a vintage ad, but was similarly made, as set dressing. Caveat emptor.