Packard Forum Index » General

"After not offering the option and seeing the pent up demand and sellers market where mfgs could sell anything they could produce no matter how it was equipped, they no longer had any incentive. "

Howard succinctly described what the situation was in those immediate postwar years. Material and supplier difficulties too discouraged offering such comfort options. There may have also been the knowledge gained from the pre-war A/C sales that suggested it wouldn't have a great take rate at that time.

During the 22nd-23rd Series production, anything that slowed production while George Christopher was in charge was to be avoided. But, by 1952. it was common knowledge in the industry that GM makes would be offering A/C for 1953, Packard had to do so to remain competitive, much as they did with power steering and power brakes.

Steve

"After not offering the option and seeing the pent up demand and sellers market where mfgs could sell anything they could produce no matter how it was equipped, they no longer had any incentive. "

It's true, the automakers could sell every car built probably four times over. However, they were not allowed to spike the retail prices of the cars, so their incentive came from loading every car with as many accessories as they could.

It's on the internet, so it must be true......

This claims to be an 1951 experimental A/C Unit put in a Cadillac for the GM President. Does anyone know about this car?

https://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/d/menlo-park-1963-pontiac-4speed-1955/7178172267.html

And, there is a 55 Caribbean with 55&56 seats?

Found these, maybe you already have them.

https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/group-of-people-in-penguin-costume-holding-placards-at-the-news-photo/1187442046?adppopup=true

https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/woman-holding-a-signboard-at-the-packard-motor-car-company-news-photo/1187442049?adppopup=true

Recent thread on the AACA Forums.

Quote:

Not to put too fine a point on it, but those photos were taken at the Packard Proving Grounds during a preview party rather than in Detroit at boulevard plant.

Attach file:

---

  Show field 1.JPG (168.64 KB)

No air conditioning & refrigeration news for many months. To break the silence, please find attached Air Conditioning & Refrigeration News 1939-11-08.

Attach file:

---

  1939-11-08 AC News.jpg (189.32 KB)

The Saturday Evening Post dated 1940.08.24 announced to its readers "...a revelation beyond that you have ever known in motoring!"

Attach file:

---

  cool revelation.jpg (139.83 KB)

Oil? Water? Fresh air?

"Robert and Norma Norton of Houston, Texas, with their family, having cool air piped into their Cadillac sedan at a drive-in restaurant, even though the car already has air conditioning. This photo appeared in a Look Magazine article illustrating life before and after the Nortons had their home air conditioned. Photo by Jim Hansen. (via Shorpy)"

source: vintag.es

Attach file:

---

  double conditioned Cadillac.jpg (66.07 KB)

Old is new again! Who would have believed it.

A TV show did a feature on a chain of truck stops that have a modern version of this same ducted ventilation system for truckers who want to park overnight. As well as not having to leave their trucks idling to keep AC or heat going the modern systems business end offers an adjustable thermostat temp control, power and internet connections and I think a small TV. Even a poor trucker driving a rig with only a basic sleeping bunk can have the benefits of modern civilization.