Re: Parts Book Questions: Mayfair 300 and Henney

Posted by HH56 On 2021/6/14 19:50:08

I have not read the book so not saying it is wrong but saying it is more a matter of opinion. I don't think there is any question Nance tried to upgrade Packard when he came on board but while there may have been some serious attempts to upgrade the 53 convertible and hardtop interior and upholstery to senior status, the exterior and mechanical is still almost identical to the earlier models so in that respect I think it barely moved the needle.

The 51 upgrade to 250 status primarily depended on adding teeth in the grill, a few options becoming standard, and a bit more interior chrome over their more junior siblings and that carried over mostly unchanged for 53. I believe the 53 convertible and HT models got the extra bar on the bumper to make it appear more massive like the bumper in the Patrician and 300 but that is a relatively minor senior change.

IMO, the initial look is still what most people would go by -- or at least I do -- so to me the 53 is still more junior looking compared to the significant changes in the 54s. Add in the top of the line engine for 54 and you have a real senior.