Re: SP merger

Posted by 58L8134 On 2015/3/13 9:11:54

Hi

Paul makes a good point: by 1953 both Packard and Hudson needed something bold and dramatic to bring them to the fore in the public's attention. Torsional-Level was great when one rode in it, which most wouldn't or didn't. A V8 engine was just catching up with the rest of the industry. New styling helped but every other maker had new styling too....not unique.

But, nothing would have caught attention like sedans and hardtops in the 55-57" overall height in a market of 60-62" tall competition. Only the '53 Studebaker Starliner and Starlight models were in that range. The rest of the market would wait until the 1957 Forward Look Chrysler line to such proportions.

If Packard and Hudson could have fielded such cars for 1955, the market response could hardly have been any less than was that for the 1957 Chrysler line....but hopefully with much better build quality!

Steve