Re: 359 packard engine

Posted by 58L8134 On 2015/7/6 11:53:29

Hi

"With the introduction of the 23rd series Super Deluxe, sales of the Custom 8 pretty much fell off a cliff (no small surprise!) and it proved very difficult to sell off the remaining inventory of finished cars."

Dave is right, Custom Eights became distressed merchandise. But it might be more accurate to say it did when Sales Manager Karl Greiner in November 1949, after review of the slow-selling 23rd Series Custom Eights, convinced management further efforts in that segment were futile. The Super Deluxe Eight was created to give dealers a more-saleable upmarket model while working off Custom inventories when its production was curtailed to cut further losses. The 356 was just a casualty being a Custom exclusive, though its manufacturing costs and minimal numbers certainly contributed to the decision.

"Obsolete" it was not only within the Packard context, but also the larger industry. Notwithstanding how magnificent an engine it is, the high-compression, over-square, freer-breathing short-stroke OHV V8 era had arrived and any L-Head In-Line engine configuration days were numbered. It's analogous to the last of the magnificent steam locomotives when the diesel-electric became the preferred engine.

Steve