Re: In Memoriam - MaryEllen (Green) Dohrs

Posted by Leeedy On 2022/1/20 11:08:46

Hello, I was certainly there at the Packard Proving Grounds when Mary Ellen Dohrs gave her wonderful talk for the Packard Club. A soft-spoken, very intelligent and graceful person of great achievement and immense talent. I was lucky enough hear her speak and to get her autograph.

Ms. Dohrs' "Posture-Perfect" seats– especially in the 1955 Caribbean– were indeed Posture-Perfect and so incredibly comfortable. I remember when I first drove the Howard Hughes/Jean Peters Caribbean (which was virtually NOS at the time) how very form-fitting and comfortable the seat was. Design of the bolsters and pleated leather inserts with indents for shoulder blades was pure brilliance. Support and give in all the right places. A pleasurable experience merely to sit behind the wheel. And they were beautiful just to view!

As a side note here, the "Eyes On Design" write-up has its facts confused. Mary Ellen's 1955 Caribbean and Four Hundred seats were not reversible. Those were 1956 Caribbean only.

Again, I feel very lucky to have met Mary Ellen Dohrs. Her loss both to the automotive world as well as to Packard fans is a great one. She won't be forgotten. Peaceful journey, Mary Ellen.