Re: How'd they do it?

Posted by Dave Brownell On 2014/4/4 8:04:46

Leeedy may know the answer, but is Packard's "New Metal" the reason for that exclusive 55 Caribbean part, the metal hood rod? Those 55 hoods are heavy and it would have been marginal if they had to rely on the stock hood springs and hinges. Think of the calamity if a wealthy Caribbean owner had his/her head impaled by that deadly hood latch pin if they had neglected to prop it up with that exclusive custom hood prop. Howard Hughes might have bought Packard Motor Car out of spite had it happened to him or his wife. Note that the 56 dual cowl hoods are much lighter, hence no prop needed. The cost accountants must have been groaning over that sheet metal change, amortized over very few cars. But, they had some savings because no "New Metal" was necessary in the new hoods.