Re: 1935 - Turning Point and What-Ifs

Posted by Mahoning63 On 2015/9/6 11:49:28

Looked at weights of several Packards in the Thirties and early Forties and came up with an estimate of 4200 lbs for the would-be Custom Twelve 5P Sedan on 127" wheelbase using the 3550 lb One Twenty sedan as starting point. The additional 650 lbs would have gone towards V12 engine, upgraded transmission, 7" longer hood, additional structural strength up front and higher level of interior content. With this estimate we can make several interesting comparisons:

1935 1200 Sedan, 127" WB, 4780 lbs, $2385, 130 HP, Solid Front Axle
1935 Custom V12, 127" WB, 4200 lbs, $2390, 180 HP, Safe-T-Flex

1937 1506 Sedan, 132" WB, 5395 lbs, $3490, 175/180 HP, Safe-T-Flex
1937 Custom V12, 127" WB, 4200 lbs, $2565, 180 HP, Safe-T-Flex

For the 1935 models, both cars have identical wheelbases and near identical prices. The proposed Custom Twelve has an independent front suspension and higher spec interior, weighs 580 lbs less and has 50 more horsepower. All told it would have been a very good value compared to the 1200 sedan.

For the 1937 comparison, independent front suspension and horsepower now become the constant. In the 1506's favor is a useful if not particularly attractive bustle back trunk, a 5" longer wheelbase and an interior that is probably a tick higher than the Custom Twelve (though this need not necessarily have been the case). The Custom Twelve enjoys a 1395 lb weight advantage and $925 price advantage, the latter atypically "small" because Packard significantly reduced its 15th Series Twelve prices. In the two years prior and subsequent to the 15th Series, the price gap would have been much greater. Again, the proposed Custom Twelve comes out looking pretty darn good.

Would the proposal have had the majesty of the 12th - 17th Series? That's a subjective call. The '37 Seniors are some of my favorite Packards so I am biased. The proposal would have presented a compelling appearance in its own right and offered lots of body variations, and its incredible performance would have biased the eyes of many who were contemplating purchase. Most importantly, lots more people could have afforded it and Packard could have made lots more money selling it.