Re: Merger of Nash/Kelvinator, Packard & Hudson
Posted by Steve203 On 2015/4/17 20:01:58
<i>I think the Nash would have been the more risky platform because of its odd greenhouse, the windshield shaped oddly and the C-pillar not very inspiring or American mainstream.</i>
That greenhouse was pinched from Studebaker. Compare this 55 Wasp (Hudsons thankfully got open front wheelwells) and a 53 Studie hardtop.
As for Hudson's place in the timeline. Supposedly Barit and Mason signed a letter of intent to merge in June 53 and were in active negotiations that fall. It would have been foolhardy to not have included Hudson in the product plan blueprint well before the start of 54. Actually, Mason should have had that blueprint laid out, then presented it to Barit at their June 53 meeting. The plan should have had the layout for the merger of all three, with an appendix for product plans for Nash and Hudson only and an appendix for Nash and Packard only.
My real suspicion is the author's memory is faulty. I bet they were working on the plan in early 53, not 54. Nance was looking for a merger partner as soon as he landed at E Grand, while Barit apparently wasn't thinking merger until the Jet bombed. That would fit with the author's timeline of first Nash and Packard, as Packard was definitely being shopped, then add Hudson when Barit called Mason a few months later to arrange the June meeting.
Attach file:
(102.70 KB)
(19.30 KB)
That greenhouse was pinched from Studebaker. Compare this 55 Wasp (Hudsons thankfully got open front wheelwells) and a 53 Studie hardtop.
As for Hudson's place in the timeline. Supposedly Barit and Mason signed a letter of intent to merge in June 53 and were in active negotiations that fall. It would have been foolhardy to not have included Hudson in the product plan blueprint well before the start of 54. Actually, Mason should have had that blueprint laid out, then presented it to Barit at their June 53 meeting. The plan should have had the layout for the merger of all three, with an appendix for product plans for Nash and Hudson only and an appendix for Nash and Packard only.
My real suspicion is the author's memory is faulty. I bet they were working on the plan in early 53, not 54. Nance was looking for a merger partner as soon as he landed at E Grand, while Barit apparently wasn't thinking merger until the Jet bombed. That would fit with the author's timeline of first Nash and Packard, as Packard was definitely being shopped, then add Hudson when Barit called Mason a few months later to arrange the June meeting.
Attach file:
(102.70 KB)
(19.30 KB)This Post was from: https://packardinfo.com/xoops/html/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?post_id=160550