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

Posted by Rusty O\'Toole On 2013/10/25 4:22:42

Would you turn up your nose at a V12 BMW because they also make 4 cylinder cars? Would you refuse to buy a Mercedes V8 because they also make 4 cylinder diesel taxicabs and trucks?

Would you refuse to buy a Cadillac today because they made a 4 cylinder Cimarron in 1982?

Even the dullest witted rube could tell the difference between a $7000 limousine and a $695 coupe. The fact that the same company made both, would add a glow of glamor to the $695 car without taking anything away from the $7000 car.

If that was the trade off Packard made - and I don't believe it was - then they made the right decision. They would have gone broke in a year selling a handful of custom built $7000 cars, same as Pierce Arrow, Marmon and Stutz. The day of the custom built 12 cylinder or 16 cylinder car was over. The new generation of mass produced V8 and straight eight cars was just too good and too cheap. If Packard would not supply the demand, Chrysler Cadillac and Buick would.