Re: Confidential Information for Cadillac Retail Salesmen

Posted by Tim Cole On 2013/9/16 20:07:13

I think the Packard is a better looking car, because I hate those Mamie Van Dorin bumpers on the Cadillac. I think the 55-56 Packards would look a lot better without them. I thought the 53 Packard Patrician interior was tops, but they cheapened it in 54. I also can't stand that ridiculous rear clip on the Cadillac.

There is no arguing about motors. The 331 OHV Caddy is a deep block and a standard setter. The Packard V-8 isn't even a deep block. Hydramatic was likewise an engineering triumph, but in 55-56 the Packard 400 was actually faster than the Imperial with the hemi. The Chrysler racked up superior miles on the odometer because the hemi head burns cleaner and so the oil stays cleaner.

Everybody copied Cadillac. Nobody copied Packard. Heck, Cadillac was outselling Studebaker. If the 55-56's hadn't racked up so many customer complaints things might have gone better for Packard, but Packard just didn't have the money to sort out the engineering and so their reputation was in tatters.