Re: Why were so few '42, '46, '47 Clipper 2-door cars made?

Posted by su8overdrive On 2012/3/26 17:14:30

O_D makes good points. Tho' i believe he's right, also agree with him that it's an interesting topic, and hope to see more on it. Don't forget, club sedan, while in the 1930s, referring to a close-coupled, yet still elegant four door, in Packard's Clipper use, was intended to upscale market the otherwise less-expensive, "entry level" two-door Clipper.

The Duesenberg 120, um, uh, 1936-37 Cord similarly used "Phaeton," which meant an open four door, for their 1936-37 two-door convertible. Whenever you're offering less, a model name suggesting or harking to more helps.

I'm biased, as owner of a '47 Super Clipper four-door, but in my 'umble opine, the 1942-47 two-door club sedans look better on paper. In person, they look a mite man-the-harpoons humpy from the side or rear. This was one (1) time the upper echelon GMobiles got it right. The Cadillac and Buick sedanettes had a sleeker roofline, as did the Bentley R- and S-Type Continentals.

Meanwhile, wonder why the 1942 160 Clipper club and touring sedan are listed with only a 20 lb. shipping weight variance (3,985lbs. vs. 4,005) with the same 20-lb. difference between the '42 180 Clipper club and touring sedan, while their postwar versions are separated by 40 lbs. Obviously the postwar editions are heavier than the '42s because of the clunky bumper extensions and heavy front license plate bracket. But why would the shipping weight variance between postwar club/touring in both Super/Custom Super be twice that of the '42s?


? Anyone?