Hi
Well, here's the basic body structure to build one without torsion bars, still would be a worthwhile project producing a completely unique one-off result:
http://www.onlineonlyauctions.com/cgi-bin/mnlist.cgi?mjackson20/578 Act quickly, April 6th is coming up fast......these don't turn up everyday!
With regard to how Cadillac handled their Fleetwood 75 formal cars, they were not alway updated and restyled in lockstep annually with the regular 62/60 Special models. As of 1955, Cadillac as recently as 1949 was still essentially a pre-war model with an updated engine.
The new body came in 1950, lasting through 1953, completely missing the 1948-49 styling cycle (except for one luscious one-off prototype). Even as Hydramatic became all but standard on other Cadillacs, manual transmission was still standard 75 model equipment into the early '50's.
As the years move along, for 1954-'56, 1957-58, the 75's were kept current with the others. Come 1959 and 1960, the body was still current, then from 1961-65 (yes 1965) examimation of those years reveals only the lower body styling is updated, the central body remains what was introduced in 1959 evidenced by the wrapped windshield and A-pillar. For 1965, the 75 holds over the 1964 body and styling. The 1966 75 finally catches up to the rest of the line.
For Packard, conventional suspension was going to be no real drawback for the limousine market. The long wheelbase and appropriate spring rates would have given a ride indistinguishable from Torsion-Level. If they were determined to included it, perhaps engineering could have fitted a set of shorter bars only to the rear suspension so the leveler could be included, and of course it could be advertised as so equipped.
Hope someone will save the rough '54 limousine body for just such a project.
Steve
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