Re: 1953 Cavalier "Hardtop" Sedan

Posted by bkazmer On 2019/5/30 9:43:21

since the 47 body came out in 41, it was getting a bit long in the tooth in public perception. I agree that it is a very well-proportioned car whose styling has held up well. But Packard was in the same boat as almost everyone else, selling lightly face-lifted 1942 models in 46-7. I often hear that the auto industry prewar styling was used through 1948, but while that was true at GM, Ford, and Chrysler, the Independents had new designs out by '48, typically using streamlined styling that eliminated separate fender lines (Hudson, Nash, KF, Stude). So the "bathtub" restyle was a way to be up to date without a total retooling. These cars sold well in 48-9, but were looking dated in 50. So I think Packard needed the "high pockets" body in 1950.

They were trying to keep the grille reference with the ox-yolk opening, but I agree that the look got a lot less distinctive. It's a difficult job to fit a vertical grille into a generally wider look. Perhaps Alfa-Romeo has done that better than most over the years, and something could have been done along those lines with Packard.

Packard had big cash demands to develop a V8, automatic transmission, and compete with an accelerating styling tempo.