Re: 1935 - Turning Point and What-Ifs

Posted by Mahoning63 On 2015/9/13 15:31:18

Hi Steve,

Your point about the 126" wheelbase and 320 CID specs for entry luxury car speak to the fundamental pre-war dynamics at play. In these specs lie the needs and preferences of the owner-driver, a category of buyer that increasingly represented the core of the luxury market. Power, maneuverability, ease of parking and ability to fit in garage were highly valued, along with quality and luxury in a livable package. One of my favorites is the '33 Eight.

The 1938 Packard Eight had the right wheelbase and almost enough engine for an entry luxury car but by then the 60 Special had added three new elements that very few cars had offered prior: extra low height, extra wide bodies and a coupe-like trunk. Packard flat-out overlooked these in its planning for 1938 and lost 3-1/2 years to Cadillac because of it. When it finally did catch up, Cadillac once again jumped ahead, this time with an automatic transmission. This cost Packard another 5 model years of not being fully competitive. By the time it did catch up, Cadillac had moved ahead again with the '48 60 Special's extra long rear overhang and decklid and '49 OHV engine. On the former, Packard lost anywhere from 3 to 7 years depending on whether one sees the '51 as sufficient or the '55 Four Hundred. I don't think either were, the Four Hundred having the appearance of long deck but still with the '51s middling overhang. Packard wasn't on track to catch Cadillac in basic vehicle specs until 1957. It's hard to stay in business trailing the competition for 20 years.