Packard Forum Index » Studebaker Built Packards (1957 - 58)

I was talking to a fellow who said he was at a sale where they sold a 1957 Packard limo. I questioned him as to if it were not a 1955-56 Packard. But he said no it was a 1957.
Did Studebaker/Packard produce a limo or was this something done independently by an owner?

John

I've never read of any limo produced by S-P and from all accounts it seems as if they could barely scrape together enough money for the minimal amount of extra tooling needed for facelifting the Stude sedan and wagon offered as Packards in 57. Even with tooling items that had to be metal a lot of the facelift was done with fiberglass. Would sure like to see a photo of a limo but looking at some of the unexpected conversions made today I suppose it would not be out of the realm that someone had something similar done then too.

No long-wheelbase seven-passenger sedans or limousines on the South Bend '57 & '58 Packards were built when they were new. If the car cited was in fact a '57, it would be a recent customizing job, albeit with a significantly strengthen frame.

Studebaker management decided to follow Loewy's edict "Weight is the Enemy" too far for the 1953 line development. The results were flexible ladder frames and light body structures, more so than their prior model. The cars didn't have the solid feel expected even for low-priced cars. When the events made creating a Packard on the platform the only available avenue, it wasn't really well fitted to the job.

Steve

I was talking to a fellow who said he was at a sale where they sold a 1957 Packard limo. I questioned him as to if it were not a 1955-56 Packard

No Packard limo is 55/56 either, 1954 was the last year for a LWB 8 passenger Packard.