Re: Continuing the Packard

Posted by 58L8134 On 2012/9/2 10:43:12

Hi

By late '54, all four were really under the gun to act quickly to stem further erosion of their market share. A four-way merger would result in too many nameplates and models spreading very limited resources too thin if all were retained. For the make and model structure, some old standbys would have be to dismissed. It was an absolutely necessity for survival that plant and product consolidations take place; would leave considerable casualties and debris in its wake. So, without further ado:

Detroit Operations: Body-on-Frame

Factories:
East Grand Blvd: Packard and Hudson, body production, final assembly on separate lines.
Utica, V-8 engine and Ultramatic production

Packards and Hudsons share body shell (P-H Body), frames with 122" & 127" wheelbases.

Packard: luxury only, P-H body, 127" wb, 352 ci V-8, Patrician, 400 & Caribbean.
Later addition: 133" wb LeBaron Brougham

Hudson: replaces Clipper, mid-range prices, P-H body, 122" wb, 320 ci V-8, Commodore, .

Factories:
Kenosha: Nash Rambler and Studebaker, unibody body production, final assembly
Engine production: Nash 196 ci ohv 6 cyl and Studebaker 259 ci V-8.

Nash Rambler and Studebaker share body shell, (NR-S Body), 108" & 117" wheelbases.

Studebaker: low-priced, NR-S Body, 117" wb, longer hood and deck, sedans & wagons, 259 ci V-8, Commander.
Later addition: 2 dr hardtop and convertible.

Nash Rambler: compact car, 108" wb, 196 ci ohv 6 cyl, initially 4 dr sedans and station wagons only.
Later addition: 2 dr hardtop and convertible.

Factories:
South Bend Chippewa Avenue continues Studebaker Truck assembly.
South Bend Studebaker Foundry continues.

Immediate Plant closings: Main Studebaker South Bend assembly, Hudson Detroit assembly

Five year plan for 1960: All-new, one story body and assembly plant adjacent to Utica for Packards and Hudsons. EGB closed.

Management structure shortly.

Steve