Re: '58 Lincoln-based Packard idea
Posted by Mahoning63 On 2011/8/2 14:49:25
Owen - I was probably unclear... was suggesting Packard redesign their system to whatever extent necessary, even if it meant rethinking its fundamental design. The reason being that any torsion system was better than no torsion system, as demonstrated by Chrysler.
Wanted to float to the group an extension of the Packard platform sharing idea. This time the focus is Studebaker, the other basket case. Same plan... shrink the company dramatically, borrow with pride, don't cannibalize sales of the borrowed car, find a partner motivated to share.
First idea is with AMC, as early as 1958. Base the Stude on the Ambassador. Not sure this idea had a prayer. Ambassador was already pushing the Rambler platform's price ceiling, wasn't much room above it for Studebaker. The car is ugly too. And Romney and Nance...
Second is with the 1960 Valiant. This one I do think had potential. Studebaker would have become to the small car what Packard would become to the large - the cream of the crop. Valiant and Lancer sales would not have been impacted at all. Stude could have offered the 225 Slant Six rather than the 179. Torsion bars were already up front. Maybe an independent torsion rear could have been offered too.
Just like with Packard, in both plans the Studebaker facility closes, the powertrain staff gets let go and the cars roll down the same line as the cars they are based on. Packard-Studebaker might have survived on this sharing strategy well into the 70s. Maybe Chrysler would eventually have become Packard's large platform supplier once Continental sales took off in the early 70s and Imperial fizzled.
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Wanted to float to the group an extension of the Packard platform sharing idea. This time the focus is Studebaker, the other basket case. Same plan... shrink the company dramatically, borrow with pride, don't cannibalize sales of the borrowed car, find a partner motivated to share.
First idea is with AMC, as early as 1958. Base the Stude on the Ambassador. Not sure this idea had a prayer. Ambassador was already pushing the Rambler platform's price ceiling, wasn't much room above it for Studebaker. The car is ugly too. And Romney and Nance...
Second is with the 1960 Valiant. This one I do think had potential. Studebaker would have become to the small car what Packard would become to the large - the cream of the crop. Valiant and Lancer sales would not have been impacted at all. Stude could have offered the 225 Slant Six rather than the 179. Torsion bars were already up front. Maybe an independent torsion rear could have been offered too.
Just like with Packard, in both plans the Studebaker facility closes, the powertrain staff gets let go and the cars roll down the same line as the cars they are based on. Packard-Studebaker might have survived on this sharing strategy well into the 70s. Maybe Chrysler would eventually have become Packard's large platform supplier once Continental sales took off in the early 70s and Imperial fizzled.
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