Wonder if it was also a case of the engineers not being given clear direction early enough on what size the engine needed to be. This is pure speculation on my part but I offer it because Packard explored a Utica-built OHV V12 in mid-'53. Given Packard's many quality problems, a steady hand like Frasier, which Steve has suggested, or perhaps Barit could have been a great asset to Nance. Someone to tell him to slow down, be careful, follow the process.
Was reading the 1982 Crestline book on Hudson recently, much mention made of Mason trying to bring the Independents together. The author was a designer at Nash in these years, said Mason had Meade, the chief of engineering which included design, put a small covert team together, worked nights, came up with sharing strategy that would have included 3 basic bodies and varying lengths for Nash Rambler, Studebaker Champion and Commander, Nash Statesman and Ambassador, Hudson Wasp and Hornet, and Packard Clipper and Patrician. The info was used by Mason, Barit and Nance to assess viability of a '57 line-up, which they thought would be reasonable timing once all the companies had been brought together.
Author said Barit approached Mason in June '53 and they mapped out a merger strategy over lunch, but Barit didn't fully commit until many months later when it was clear the '54 freshening wouldn't save Hudson. Author also said Meade told him Nance bowed out of the merger scheme in early '54 in large part because Mason and not he would be top dog.
Came across an image in the Crestline book that showed a custom built by Alexander Bros. Was able to find a link that shows the car. Story reads: "A 1954 Hudson that was customized in October of 1953. The car was built for a major Hudson stockholder who was dismayed in Hudson's 1954 offerings, and wanted to give his "two cents" worth of advice."
Images give a hint of what lowness could have done to the step-down.
http://public.fotki.com/Rikster/11_car_photos/customcars_i_like/hudson_custom_cars/1954-hudson-hard-top/ When you have a stockholder of the day building a low car approaching what we have been suggesting, you know opportunity had been left on the table.
EDIT: Another link with more info. 6.5 inches taken off in total. Seems a bit much but if true, puts height at around 55.5 inches unloaded, 54 inches loaded.
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/1954-hudson-hollywood.309293/This Post was from: https://packardinfo.com/xoops/html/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?post_id=159867