Re: Had They Merged

Posted by Rusty O\'Toole On 2009/1/18 14:06:55

Here is my day dream of how the Studebaker-Packard merger might have worked out, based on historical fact and possibility. In other words, everything here could have happened.

1945 - George Mason of Nash sets out to plan his company's postwar program. He forsees that the independents (Nash, Packard, Studebaker,Willys, Kaiser-Frazer and Hudson) are in for a few good years until the pent up demand for new cars is satisfied, but in the longer term they are at a decided disadvantage to the Big 3.

The solution he comes up with is to merge the 4 leading independents into a 4th full line auto giant to be called American Motors.

1949 - After in depth discussions among company leaders, it is decided to merge Studebaker with Packard and Nash with Hudson, then merge the 2 companies at a later date.

1950 - Packard management gets an advance look at the new Studebaker V8 slated for introduction on their 1951 models. They consider making a V8 for Packard but decide this would not be the best use of available resources. Remember, Packard brought out their Ultramatic,the only automatic developed by an independent. Their all new body design for 1951. There were many demands on their resources for power steering, torsion bar suspension, air conditioning etc. The 50s were a very fast paced design era.

In the end they decide the Studebaker V8 is too small for Packard, so they develop an all new OHV Packard V12.

Basically the excellent Stude V8 with 4 more cylinders.

This would be a very economical engine to develop and produce.

They would need new block, head, and manifold castings but all the small parts like valves, connecting rods, pistons etc would be the same.

The block could be bored on the same transfer line by boring 8 cylinders then moving the block ahead and boring the other 4. The boring bars would pass harmlessly through the 4 cylinders that had already been bored.

The Stude debuted at 232 cu in and 120HP. This would have given a Packard V12 of 348 cu in and 180HP. Compare to the Cadillac V8 of 331 cu in and 160HP or the Chrysler Hemi V8 331cu in 180HP.

A V12 would have had additional advantages of extreme silence, smoothness, low speed pulling power, and a broad power band. Perfectly suited to the 2 speed Ultramatic transmission.

It would have been no longer than a large 6 cylinder. Besides a long hood is no drawback on a luxury car.

1951 - Studebaker introduces 232cu in 120HP V8, first OHV V8 by an independent. Road tester Tom McCahill describes it as "rip roaring hell-for-leather performer".

Long rumored Studebaker-Packard merger formally announced.

1952 - The Packard V12 Patrician debuts.

348 engine largest in industry. McCahill reports: "As smooth and relaxed as drinking a Brandy Alexander in silk pyjamas - with a nitroglycerine chaser"

Straight 8 Clipper and Cavalier models continue.

1953 - Packard buys the Briggs body company, outbidding Chrysler using the money they saved by not tooling up their own V8. They tell Chrysler that they will continue to make Chrysler bodies as long as they have the extra plant capacity.

Studebaker-Packard merges with Nash-Hudson to form American Motors.

1954 - Packard drops the straight eight engine after 30 years. Clipper offers 162HP 259 V8 as base engine in place of 150HP 288 straight eight. Medium priced Packards use a 336 cu in 180HP V12 with 2 barrel carb, based on the Studebaker 224. Senior cars have a 348 cu in 220HP engine. 245HP Caribbean engine optional on all models is the world's most powerful production car engine. Second most powerful, Chrysler New Yorker optional 235HP 331 Hemi V8. Cadillac is third at 230HP 331 cu in.

Panther causes a sensation at auto shows and in the showrooms. This is a Studebaker hardtop body on a Clipper frame with Packard designed front and rear sections and Packard luxury appointments. It joins the Caribbean line as America's ultimate personal luxury car.

Lincoln designers work furiously to make 1956 Continental Mark II a success but it's widely regarded as a "me too" copy of the Panther. Continental lasts less than 2 years.

1955 - All new Packard body design replaces "high pockets" used from 1951 to 1954. Gorgeous looks, torsion bar suspension, pushbutton transmission, V12 engine, 3 tone paint jobs, reversible upholstery. Unquestionably the world's greatest luxury car.

Cadillac executives ponder sagging sales, consider suicide.

1956 - Panther "Daytona" smashes all stock car records at Daytona Beach. Special V12 engine with solid lifter cam, 2 4 barrel carbs,dual exhaust, overdrive transmission. Officially timed at 2 way average speed of 149.7 MPH.

Enzo Ferrari faints.

1957-Two new engines announced for 1957. 389 cu in V12 used in senior models. Clipper V8 is now 289 cu in.348 continues in medium price models.


Ultimately, a Packard V12 with the same bore and stroke as a Studey 289 would have 434cu in and develop 375HP with no trouble. This would have taken Packard well into the 1960s or 70s.

Consider what might have been if Studebaker and Packard had merged a few years earlier than they did, before they dissipated their capital (especially Studebaker). Better management at Studebaker and intelligent use of their combined resources might have kept them both alive for many years.