Re: SP merger
Posted by Mahoning63 On 2015/3/17 17:14:53
Indeed Steve, combined with Torsion-Level the new line-up would have made an impact not unlike the original 60 Special. And I like your idea of the Hudson getting the 308 Six in addition to Packard's 320 V8.
According to Richard Langworth, Hudson in September 1953 had around $33M in working capital. This combined with Packard's $40M, which EGB had been carrying prior to its V8 outlay, would have given the merged company a healthy cash position when it approached investors to help fund its 1955 program. True the financials would have fallen apart in 1954 but by then the investors would have been locked in.
I took a cut at a would-be Hornet working in the Italia theme. Elements common with Packard could have included roof stamping (with different backlight cut-out), front and rear doors, window frames and side glass, windshield, decklid, firewall, floorpan and central body structure including roof support. Unique elements would have included backlights, front and rear fenders, hoods, headlights, taillights, bumpers, fascias, grills, exterior trim and interiors. Packard's front axle-to-dash and rear overhang would have been longer than Hudson's. I added 3 inches on both ends to differentiate but not excessively so lest the Hudson look too stubby or the Packard too long. Also added Packard's radio antennas at rear, which look cool.
Moved the steering wheel and front seats forward 3 inches to add same to what was basically the Clipper's rear legroom, the work-ups being based on the 122 inch wheelbase Panther. The Hornet's rear legroom might have been a few inches less because I moved its backlight forward a few inches to thin up its C-piller. Because of all this I also moved the front door's leading edges forward 3 inches to help with ingress/egress. Of course, this would have made the windshield dogleg an even nastier knee-knocker. Perhaps the severely wrapped windshield would have been one design step too far.
Had Nance convinced the investors to go for broke he might have coaxed additional money to productionize a cleaned up Italia in coupe and convertible form. What a shocker 1955 would have been!
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According to Richard Langworth, Hudson in September 1953 had around $33M in working capital. This combined with Packard's $40M, which EGB had been carrying prior to its V8 outlay, would have given the merged company a healthy cash position when it approached investors to help fund its 1955 program. True the financials would have fallen apart in 1954 but by then the investors would have been locked in.
I took a cut at a would-be Hornet working in the Italia theme. Elements common with Packard could have included roof stamping (with different backlight cut-out), front and rear doors, window frames and side glass, windshield, decklid, firewall, floorpan and central body structure including roof support. Unique elements would have included backlights, front and rear fenders, hoods, headlights, taillights, bumpers, fascias, grills, exterior trim and interiors. Packard's front axle-to-dash and rear overhang would have been longer than Hudson's. I added 3 inches on both ends to differentiate but not excessively so lest the Hudson look too stubby or the Packard too long. Also added Packard's radio antennas at rear, which look cool.
Moved the steering wheel and front seats forward 3 inches to add same to what was basically the Clipper's rear legroom, the work-ups being based on the 122 inch wheelbase Panther. The Hornet's rear legroom might have been a few inches less because I moved its backlight forward a few inches to thin up its C-piller. Because of all this I also moved the front door's leading edges forward 3 inches to help with ingress/egress. Of course, this would have made the windshield dogleg an even nastier knee-knocker. Perhaps the severely wrapped windshield would have been one design step too far.
Had Nance convinced the investors to go for broke he might have coaxed additional money to productionize a cleaned up Italia in coupe and convertible form. What a shocker 1955 would have been!
Attach file:
(48.15 KB)
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