Re: 1941 PACKARD MAKES ICE CUBES

Posted by HH56 On 2020/8/17 9:07:00

Quote:

One of the questions that may never be completely answered. Packard and Cadillac both had proven prewar units that would have bolted right back into their immediate postwar offerings. I wonder if Packard had considered offering it postwar since the AC on/off switch did appear in the Clipper dash photo that is in the 46 accessory brochure.

Maybe it had to do with restrictions or availability of needed components due to all the supplier strikes that were happening postwar. After not offering the option and seeing the pent up demand and sellers market where mfgs could sell anything they could produce no matter how it was equipped, they no longer had any incentive. The fact that no auto mfg offered AC again until 53 is the real question because the sellers market disappeared long before then. Too bad Packard didn't offer it a bit sooner. Maybe if they had some of the unsold 22-23 series cars they had such high hopes for might have moved a bit easier. The prewar unit would have still bolted in and even though it might not be exactly new it would still be better than nothing.

It appears that aftermarket systems were available earlier than 53. Photos exist of a couple of custom built or rather, modified 51 models with aftermarket systems and as I recall there is a brochure where Henney offered optional AC in their 48-50 models. Perhaps archiveman's upcoming book will have some new information on the subject.