Re: What SINGLE factor MOST contributed to the demise of Packard?

Posted by Tim Cole On 2013/4/30 8:50:49

The plan from the get go was for Studebaker-Packard to merge with the Nash-Hudson combine. Packard kept their end of the deal but Nash-Hudson backed out of the deal.

Nash needed Hudson like a hole in the head. Packard would have been better off with Nash, but Nash was better off by itself given it got Willys from Kaiser.

Packard would have been gone by 58 even without the Studebaker thing.

In reality though, Packard was only king during the Twin Six. Granted the 384ci Custom Eight was a better performer than the Twin, but once Cadillac overbuilt the luxury market with the V-16 Packard was in the shadows. Much as I like the 6th and 7th series Packards, they aren't in the same league as the V-16.