The name comes from Mrs Astor's list of the 400 most prominent people in New York during the last part of the 19th century. Her Fifth Avenue townhouse had a ballroom which would accomodate 400 people, hence the size "limitation". The list became known as "the 400".

The picture you mentioned is in the Autmobile Quarterly book edited by Ms. Kimes...the last car was a Patrician with factory air...the trunk lid is open.

This morning,I was on the website for the newly renovated Roosevelt Hotel in New Orleans. there is a great picture of a '46 or '47 Custom Super Clipper limousine in front of the hotel. Of course it was (and apparently is once again) one of New Orleans grand hotels. Also, the factory branch building is still standing on St. Charles Avenue...beautifully renovated as a bank (Regions Financial)

With regard to post 28..I believe it was George Christopher who refered to the *^(%$$$# seniors. I would love to read some detailed thoughts as to how Packard...the real Packard could have been saved. Yes it would be conjecture, but it might be interesting. Of course, I have my own ideas...


Do apply some reasonable thoughts to this.

I do not disagree with regarding the styling aspects of the early sixties Imperials. Also, you are correct...many Packard men did go to FMC...including James Nance. One picture I have shows him in a ^58 or ^59 Lincoln convertible. His expression is almost pained. The conservatism I referenced earlier was a mindset thing. For many die-hard Packard families, a Cadillac was just a bit too flashy, and as well, a bit frequently seen on the street.

In reality, I think the answer is yes. Among many in my family, at least, a Cadillac was thought of as a bit too flashy..perhaps a bit nouveau. Chrysler, on the other hand represented solid and conservative luxury..good taste..old money. For many, the choices were limited to Packard, Chrysler and Imperial, and Buick. Lincoln did not make the cut until the late sixties.

These roof ducts are very similar to the ones used by Cadillac, Buick and Oldsmobile for their factory air conditioned sedans in 1953-55. Hardtops did not have the roof ducts. Interestingly, Cadillac continued this for 1956, when Buick and the other GM divisions went to a front mounted air conditioner, as Packard had in 1955.

The Atwater Kent car

I checked again...it's a 1919 Twin Six...not delivered until 1920

The WISH List

The Fleetwood towncar built for the Atwater Kents in the early twenties--a Twin Six on an sxtended chassis

A 1932 Dietrich Twin Six Victoria

A 1941-42 One-Eighty LeBARON--either a Touring Limousine or a Sport Brougham--with air conditioning

A 1953 or a 1956 Caribbean convertible

With regard to the quote--there is no master control, but there are controls for the rear windows beside the ashtray. Lincoln did not provide front controls for the rear windows on the prewar Customs or postwar sedans equipped with hydraulic regulators. Chrysler appears to have provided switches for all four windows on the 1941 and 1942 Imperial Town Sedans at the center of the dash, presumably by the ashtray.