Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

Howard,

I believe the copper/black and yellow/copper are one in the same car. IIRC, only one of the Panthers was fitted with a hardtop roof, and it was one that had been updated with the '55 taillights. Also, this was the only one of the Panthers that had the three chevrons on each of its rear fenders.

if it wasn't for the fact that they are packards, i'd not care at all. i feel that they are the ugliest thing i've ever seen! but they are packards so it's a love hate relationship. the predictor is my favorite! i love that car! it was driven briefly. i own a copy of that article. it has some great detail shots in it. if you would like a copy let me know. it did handle poorly. which was believed to be due to the fact that the body on it was almost all steel. and very heavy!
i plan to build a close copy of the car. with a few changes to make it look more like what i feel a true "production" version of the car would look like. with the exception of the windshield and tail lights they will be minor changes.
only problem is i have to get to see it up close and in person where i can take more photos and get measurements of it.

The Predictor is at the Stude museum in Southbend, IN. Time for you to make a road trip!

Quote:

Believe there was one in the old Hemmings magazine, Special Interest Autos. Is that the article you refer to?

I believe that is the one. i know where it is. but i need to be able to get to it so i can measure it and make molds of contours, that kinda thing. i hear they keep it in a glass "cage"

During the 1990s, the Predictor was in a glass box at the "old" Studebaker Museum, located in the Freeman & Spicer Studebaker dealership. At the "new" museum (which opened up a couple of years ago) it is out in the open, behind standard museum ropes. See the article in The Packard Cormorant #131 (Summer 2008) for some excellent photos, and the complete history by Leon Dixon. (The ropes were removed for the photography session.)

G'day ECAnthony,
to PackardInfo. If you have a Packard I invite you to include it in the Owner Registry together with a pic, any known history and how you acquired it.

The restored Predictor was later displayed "outside the box" at the old Freeman-Spicer building, as the glass case was used to showcase other vehicles. I've been there and have seen it up-close several times - before and after restoration.

Interesting website with some nice concept packards:

http://www.automotivehistoryonline.com/packardconcepts.htm

Has the Packard Engineer Mule "Black Bess", 1956 Packard Predictor, 1956 Packard Clipper Rejected design, 1955 Packard Request Concept, 1955 Packard Panther Daytona restyled 2 of 2, 1954 Packard-Daytona Concept restyled 1 of 2, 1954 Packard Panther-Daytona, 1953 Packard Balboa-X designed by Richard Teague, 1952 Packard Special Speedster, 1952 Packard Pinin Farina Coupe, 1952 Packard Pan American Show Car interior, 1952 Packard Pan American Roadster, Edward Macauley's 1944 Packard Brown Bomber, and Edward Macauley's 1933 Packard AKA "Brown Bomber".

The copyright is 2005-2007, it's been around so you may have already seen this site.

Plus here's a nice website collection of Packard ads:

http://oldcarandtruckads.com/Packard/

I'm guessing that this is the Panther that was updated with '55 taillights and rear bumper but painted in a white/black two-tone. I saw it on the White Field at Fall Hershey about 25 years ago, but don't recall that upholstery. I'm thinking it was done in a maroon leather and just flat - not diamond-pleated.

While the paint was in terrible shape when I saw it at Hershey, it looked a lot better when it turned up at the Centennial (repainted), but I don't recall what the interior looked like at all then. (Sorry, no digicam, back then.)