Re: New "What Ifs?"

Posted by 58L8134 On 2014/8/12 12:41:49

Hi
Interesting insights all, both the Packard era and the current situation. The logistics in that era certainly would have argued against a move to Willow Run unless there were overwhelming advantages to do so.

On the topic of why Macauley, Gilman et al decided to outsource body production to Briggs beginning with the '41 Clipper. I recall reading in SIA that the top stamping which stretches from the upper cowl, windshield frame all the way to rear panel head of the trunk opening was the largest single piece stamping then bringing produced. Packard didn't have stamping capabilities for such a large unit. As the plants were increasingly taken up with war materiel production, that too spoke for body production outsourcing.

Given the active role that Briggs played in the hasty Clipper development, it would have been a surprise if they didn't get the lion's share of it's production body work.

Steve