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Continuing the exploration of platform sharing possibilities with other OEMs, the Mercury Turnpike Cruiser's Predictor-like roofline prompted this latest study. Added 8 inches forward of the firewall for a total wheelbase of 130 inches.

Given Ford and Mercury plant manager's disinclination to take on Edsel, and all the issues that resulted, let's assume they flat out refused to build Packards. This would have dictated that Conner and probably Utica needed to continue operating. Had Nance somehow convinced FoMoCo to go along, again with help from Ike's administration in the form of new defense contracts to Ford, the insurance companies might have backed it. The resulting car would have had a 440 CID V8 and updated Twin-Ultramatic and Torsion Level. Pricing would have to stay north of Lincoln. Studebaker would stay on its existing platform.

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That one I like! The rear does kind of remind me of the Chaika which may be a copy of the Packard though.

As to Former GM bigshot Charlie Wilson, then defense secretary and yanker of Packard contracts to give them to GM being persuaded to give them to Ford instead, I somehow doubt it.

I love the straight lines. A little "Lincoln-ish", especially is the rear doors were suicide style.

Agreed on Wilson, the scheme would have been a stretch. It is amazing that so many Predictor elements found there way to Dearborn's styling studios. Wonder what the story was there.

Went with straight through sides and no fins in deference to Mr. Teague.

Just looked up the Chaika. Good eye! Oh well, wanted something clean and crisp.

cleaning up the Merc's mish-mash of side lines helps. For the 400, how about stainless roof panels above the doors like Imperial used. An echo of the Predictor's tambours

Here are the stainless panels. Also got rid of the TC's pokey rods sticking out the front edge of the roof. Not sure if the roof indent above the windshield header was a separate stamping hit. If so, perhaps the operation could have been skipped for the Packard roof.

Forgot to add the TC's shoulder kick-up on the rear door to allow the roof and all the inner panels to connect. Prefer the straight-through look but such would have been the compromises. Maybe there was a way to avoid it without tooling new rear door and quarter panel inners.

Added more chrome to the taillight molding.

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One more with the kick-up moved closer to the C-pillar, even more definition in the taillight molding and 15" wheels replacing the 14"s. All probably doable. Incredibly this and most of the other work-ups use the TC's front door outer/inner, rear door inner with minor trimming, roof, decklid, windshield, floorpan, trunk bottom, quarter inners and cowl/firewall. Would have been a huge cost save for Packard had they been able to strike a deal.

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I think this is one of your better ones. Would have been a very dignified car. The grill in profile looks good. Were you planning to use the Predictor with hidden headlight theme you did a few days ago or the Request? Wonder what the rear would look like with the senior cathedral lights. Actually, strike that. I think the rear looks good as it is.

Thanks, I like it too. The Turnpike Cruiser has a very dynamic roof compared to the earlier '58 Lincoln work-up because of its thinner C-pillar and racy, downward-sloping top. I also like the fact that this car would have had trimmer overall dimensions than even the standard '58 Lincoln, some 8 inches shorter and probably an inch or so narrower.

Not sure what to do with the front, that's one for the ages. Never was comfortable with the hooded double lights set against the wonderful needle nose grill motif. Hidden headlights might have added distinction but also might have resulted in a rather plain front lacking in personality. What would you do?

With the taillights I deliberately toned down the amount of red glass showing to avoid the sore & swollen look that the Predictor arguably has. Was thinking instead of slender lenses either similar in shape to the front grill motif or cathedral, and set into generous but delicately shaped chrome that subtly wrapped onto the fenders, connecting with the 51-54s.

All thoughts welcome guys.

Sorry HH56, don't think I fully anwered your question about the headlights. It's probably hard to tell but these renderings show the exposed hooded quad lights.

Update: actually they use the TC's single large light. Should have made them smaller to represent quads although that might have been a problem in some states if the car had been introduced as a '57 rather than a '58. Packard might have had it ready by early '57 had they buttoned up the deal with Ford in early/mid '56.

Update 2: nix the first update, the lights are quads.