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by Mahoning63 on 2010/11/24 19:13:56
Rich people aren't blind, they like a nice looking car just like the next guy.
I don't believe luxury buyers are like the 'next guy.' Their priorities are far different and a good looking car (or watch, or condo at the beach, etc.) isn't enough. Yes, for a certain generation of luxury buyer Packard's styling may have been the initial draw but by the 50's a new generation was defining luxury in terms of flash and excess (excess size, excess chrome, excess power...you get the drift.). Similarly, current luxury car shoppers seem to be after driving manner and precision build characteristics. Hence, the Germans are now handily capturing the luxury market. Regardless, the luxury market of the mid-century considered Packard
passe' just like today's luxury market has moved away from Cadillac leaving it to flounder.
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by Mahoning63 on 2010/11/24 19:13:56
He probably should have done all this in 1938 instead of spending money on an IFS for the Seniors. That and what was spent on the 110 could have paid for a new 1938 Super Eight with a new 356, under a hood 5 inches longer hood than the 120. Lower height and 3-box torpedo sedan styling would have rounded out the plan and put Packard right there with Cadillac.
Maybe true in theory but it never would've happened in practice. Remember, 1937-38 saw an ugly dip in the Depression-era economy. I'm sure Mr. McCauley's first priority was protecting the company's cash reserves and keeping the Packard from ending up on the Depression's ever-growing scrap heap of independent makes. And, as for keeping up with Cadillac in terms of style, the '41 Clipper made everything then on the market look out-of-date. Unfortunately the War then intervened and and wiped out what could've given Packard a huge advantage in terms of contemporary styling.
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by Mahoning63 on 2010/11/24 19:13:56
It had a richer history and meant more to the public. Feelings might have fallen dormant but they were still there
I quite agree but history shows us that rich traditions don't sell cars. Studebaker had been around since the 1860's and probably had a richer corporate history than any make, but it didn't help them sell any cars in the 50's. More recently, one of the oldest marques in the US, Oldsmobile, disappeared despite a 100 year history and a formerly very large and loyal following (I believe it was the number 3 best selling make as recently as the late 1970's).
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by Mahoning63 on 2010/11/24 19:13:56
How did Packard move the metal in the Twenties? Did they have more rural dealers back then?
Others on this site might have a better insight on this than I, but I believe that a majority of Packard agencies in the 1920's were located in urban areas of the country as this is where the wealthy were found. It wasn't until Packard moved downmarket that locating dealers in less affluent (i.e. rural) communities became an issue.
Oh well, "what if's" are fun to kick around and this is an interesting thread but we could discuss this until we're all 'blue in the face' and the conversation will always be
post mortem. But, like the good Dr. Pangloss often reminded Candide, "everything happens for the best in this best of all possible worlds!"
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