Re: 1953/4 Caribbean 4-door hardtop sedan exploration

Posted by Mahoning63 On 2020/3/29 14:54:25

"I have often wondered what a re-badged mid- to late-50s Mercedes with Packard styling features - grill and tail lights - would have looked like."

Thanks for your kind remarks. I could give it a try but turns out someone was thinking just like you, way back in 1952! Carl Evers did a much better job than I could ever do, see image and story here:https://collection.cooperhewitt.org/objects/1108951099/

During the V8's development Nance asked Engineering why Packard couldn't have overhead cams like Mercedes. I wonder how things might have turned out had Packard cancelled its Utica plan and instead chose a low-cost upgrade of the 359 to OHCs, saving something approaching $20M. Mercedes raced an inline-8 with OHCs up until that disastrous crash in 1955.

As to whether an M-B turned into a Packard would have been successful, hard to say. M-B objected to a luxury Packard being sold alongside it during negotiations with Studebaker. Americans were buying imported European luxury cars in small but slowly growing numbers at that time. The cars were strong on handling, comparatively weak on comfort and convenience. Rolls-Royce was much more luxury oriented. Hmm, need to ponder your idea...