Re: 1957 Packards, Predictor Style

Posted by BH On 2011/8/3 17:06:57

MIDan -

I don't mean to speak for Dwight, who probably knows more about these cars than anyone else in the hobby does, but until he chimes in, 'Black Bess' was the only running, Detroit-built '57 prototype that I've ever heard of. From everything I've read, it was hastily cobbled together to show potentional lenders that the company actually had a working car - not just sketches and models.

While you may have seen several other images of the intended '57s, executed in three dimensions, they are all either full-size clays or scale models - completely non-functional.

About 10-15 years ago, a fellow from Punxsutawney, PA attempted to recreate 'Black Bess', which met with mixed opinions. A few years ago, he brought his recreation of the intended '57 chassis to the Warren Museum meet, and Packard53 (John Shireman) kindly provided us with these views:

1957 Prototype Torsion Level Demonstration Frame (1st of 2 different views)

1957 Prototype Torsion Level Demonstration Frame (2nd of 2 different views)

However, I have to question the interpretation of the carrier bearing orientation and exhaust routing - seems upside down to me.

I've no doubt the technical details of what Packard had planned to have for 1957 will be a real-eye opener.