Re: Packard & Hudson proximity
Posted by Mahoning63 On 2013/2/22 20:34:31
Here's one attempt at an Italia-inspired '55 Hudson on a common body shell with the Packard. The Hudson sits on Hornet's 124 inch wheelbase, 3 inches less than the Packard owing to a shorter hood. Rear overhang is brought in 3 inches too. Both cars share common front door outers just like Olds/Cadillac. Roof is also same stamping, the Hudson only having a different backlight cutout. Front design would have been a challenge, maybe the '53 Corvette's headlights without the mesh might have looked good or perhaps hidden lights, anything but Spring's gorpy Italia design.
OK, what would the '55 sales picture have looked like for these two cars assuming sedan, coupe and convertible? 200,000 total would be my volume call, 4/5ths of which would have been Hudson and translating to $20-30 million in profits. I make this volume call based on what the Commodore and Patrician proved themselves capable of when first introduced versus the industry, then scaled to the industry's incredible 1955 sales results. The Packard also got an additional bump because it didn't have less expensive Packards cannibalizing its sales. Hudson needed to nail its design... to quote Ed Sullivan, something "reelly Big."
UPDATED 2/23: clean-up of flanks and addition of Frank Spring's front brake vents on fender tops. Headlights would need to be mounted inboard, possibly within the grill, exposed or hidden.
Attach file:
(15.25 KB)
OK, what would the '55 sales picture have looked like for these two cars assuming sedan, coupe and convertible? 200,000 total would be my volume call, 4/5ths of which would have been Hudson and translating to $20-30 million in profits. I make this volume call based on what the Commodore and Patrician proved themselves capable of when first introduced versus the industry, then scaled to the industry's incredible 1955 sales results. The Packard also got an additional bump because it didn't have less expensive Packards cannibalizing its sales. Hudson needed to nail its design... to quote Ed Sullivan, something "reelly Big."
UPDATED 2/23: clean-up of flanks and addition of Frank Spring's front brake vents on fender tops. Headlights would need to be mounted inboard, possibly within the grill, exposed or hidden.
Attach file:
(15.25 KB)This Post was from: https://packardinfo.com/xoops/html/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?post_id=118104