Re: New "What Ifs?"

Posted by Dave Brownell On 2014/6/14 8:09:08

Much of the production problems for all the post war manufacturers was external. The public demand was there, but Government restrictions limited prices to curb inflation. More importantly, most companies simply could not get the materials they needed to make the cars. Auto workers also had demands and when they were not met, went on strike. In 1950, the Korean conflict just made Packard's situation both better and worse.

Remember that Packards were among the most expensive cars on the post war American market. Even though we still love them, what would you buy if you were placed back in that time: An overhead valve Cadillac V-8 with Hydramatic and tail-fins, or a slightly updated Clipper with a very quiet straight eight with overdrive? And the Cadillac cost was perhaps ten percent cheaper. Plus the fact that the Cadillac dealer had cars because of a more generous production allotment and steel supply, while Packard put you on a waiting list until supplies came around.

Thank goodness for the two percent of the public who believed that Packard had made fine cars before the war and waiting for another fine one was the thing to do. But many Americans needed new wheels and they took what they could get and afford. Give Packard buyer loyalty a hand because that's the main reason it lasted ten years beyond World War II.