Re: 1955-57 What-If Line-Up

Posted by 55PackardGuy On 2010/12/12 2:44:47

Quote:
Randerson, I've been lookig at that tall narrowing greenhouse for a while, waiting for a comment/suggestion. I agree with you comment and would like to add my suggestion.

As long as there is more than adequate headroom in the body style to begin with, here's a though. A slight chop (a 1.5" should do I would think, but two might do it better). This isn't the hardest mod to accomplish, if people know what they're doing. As the greenhouse narrows more as you go up, chopping will essentially terminate at a wider part of the greenhouse, and square off the sides. Should be no need to modify the side glass, which is quite short to begin with.

Cutting down the top of the glass would also result in a lower and "squarer" look. Actually, saving some weight with a lower windshield, and getting that rakish look of a chopped to would be a double benefit.

There would have to be a compromise between the factors of headroom, visibility, and driver position in relation to the steering wheel.
Keeping seat hight similar, and possiblely softening the cushion could help tweak headroom.

Hard seats were one of Nance's old peeves, and he was right IMO. For a luxo car in the 50s. The Packard's were rugged, but not particularly soft. I don't think Packard's continuing "chair height" seats is a negative. A lot of people like a commanding position, plus ease of entry and exit. Call it a Packard "dignified" feature. Also, the rather squat greenhouse give little indication the the driver has that ample room to enjoy.

Personally, I'd like to have seen a move to a spit bench on the 2-doors, including a console on the hardtops. These were the coming thing.

Mahonig63
You may feel you're struggling because you're trying too hard. A simpe way to achieve the amber lenses is to steal them from the top of the two earlier picture coloring them amber rather than the clear glass look they had. I think you'd be pleased with the result.

In my opinion, the headlight placement is good. We're not trying to copy anything, but just make sure we have striking, fresh styling. The black surrounds look classy. A bit of silver showing around the lights would add some flash. Maybe a 1/2 chrome bezel.