Re: Packard Bikes
Posted by Leeedy On 2021/2/28 13:54:25
Now... for those of you who have occasionally found what look like Packard Cormorant/Pelican ornaments that are just not the same as factory parts... OR are too small, here's something of interest. I showed you Packard bicycle ornaments earlier in this thread. Here are more.
This company made aftermarket Packard-looking hood ornaments for cars. AND then... they made smaller versions that ended up being sold in bicycle shops. And yes... some were mounted on Packard bicycles! These were called "Swanettes" and one version (like the aftermarket car version) had plastic illuminated wings. Quite a thing to see going down your sidewalk on a summer night back then.
In the 1940s and 1950s–even into the 1960s you could still find these ornaments in both automotive parts stores AND bicycle shops for the "Swanette" version. And no– vintage bicycle collectors don't know about these.
Today, aftermarket descendents of the "Flamingo" ornaments can still be found truck stops and long-haul trucker accessory stores and catalogues.
Ironically back in the late 1950s and through the 1960s these "Flamingo" and "Swanette" ornaments were sold at Arlan's Department Store. Arlan's (for old-time Detroiters) was actually located INSIDE the Packard Plant on East Grand Blvd. at the corner of Concord Avenue. This was after Packard had shut down and moved away. You entered the store through a main door that was located under the famous Packard Bridge on the south end of the bridge.
AND... if you wanted your ornament faster, you could enter through the automotive parts department door on Concord Ave. and walk directly in. Yes, they sold genuine Packard parts and aftermarket replacement parts too! All at discount prices. Does anybody remember this? You parked your car (or your bicycle) in the former Packard employees' parking lot!
Attach file:
BicyclePackardBirdWM.jpg (255.44 KB)
This company made aftermarket Packard-looking hood ornaments for cars. AND then... they made smaller versions that ended up being sold in bicycle shops. And yes... some were mounted on Packard bicycles! These were called "Swanettes" and one version (like the aftermarket car version) had plastic illuminated wings. Quite a thing to see going down your sidewalk on a summer night back then.
In the 1940s and 1950s–even into the 1960s you could still find these ornaments in both automotive parts stores AND bicycle shops for the "Swanette" version. And no– vintage bicycle collectors don't know about these.
Today, aftermarket descendents of the "Flamingo" ornaments can still be found truck stops and long-haul trucker accessory stores and catalogues.
Ironically back in the late 1950s and through the 1960s these "Flamingo" and "Swanette" ornaments were sold at Arlan's Department Store. Arlan's (for old-time Detroiters) was actually located INSIDE the Packard Plant on East Grand Blvd. at the corner of Concord Avenue. This was after Packard had shut down and moved away. You entered the store through a main door that was located under the famous Packard Bridge on the south end of the bridge.
AND... if you wanted your ornament faster, you could enter through the automotive parts department door on Concord Ave. and walk directly in. Yes, they sold genuine Packard parts and aftermarket replacement parts too! All at discount prices. Does anybody remember this? You parked your car (or your bicycle) in the former Packard employees' parking lot!
Attach file:
BicyclePackardBirdWM.jpg (255.44 KB)
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