Re: The History of Packard

Posted by Rusty O\'Toole On 2009/2/10 23:40:10

Tom McCahill reported on Packards regularly and always in a positive way. He was impressed with the 1947's but did question the cost of repairs, particularly the cost of auto body repairs in case of an accident. In his opinion the way the fenders were smoothly integrated into the body would make repairs more difficult. But he did like the side opening hood.

In 1952 and 53 he reported that Packard was going after the steady conservative luxury car trade in the upper medium and high price brackets. They did not have the most powerful motors or the flashiest styling but they were justly proud of their quality, fine upholstery, smoothness and silence. He also reported that their high speed road holding and handling was exemplary. He also liked the fact that Packard offered a manual transmission on all models if the customer wished. He compared this to other makes who offered automatic or nothing, then said their customers "demanded" automatics! He went on to compare Packard owners to free thinking Americans and the other make's customers to prestige buying stooges.

He rated the bigger engined Packard an extremely fast American car in spite of the weight of its luxury features and sound deadening insulation and described it as looking like a lot more dough than its immediate competitors, having more than passable performance and luxurious appearance.

The Mayfair he described as a glamor barge with excellent paint jobs and interior materials and comfort leaving little to be desired.

The 400 he described as a modern version of Cleopatra's barge and a real tycoon's scooter. He got the feeling Packard was taking a sort of American Rolls Royce approach meaning top quality and more than passable performance. This was an attempt to regain the prestige they had in the days when everyone who was anyone owned a Packard Twin Six and only characters from under the railroad tracks would be found dead in a Cadillac.

At least up to 1953 he felt the Packards had a lot to offer and were a top buy for the more conservative luxury car buyer, especially one who put quality and comfort ahead of gaudy styling and tire burning performance.

This wasn't a bad strategy. I know in many sections of the country the really rich never drove Cadillacs. They bought Chrysler New Yorkers and Buick Electras. They probably bought Packards back when they were available.Unfortunately in the end there weren't enough customers who felt this way.