Packard Forum Index » Pre-War (1899-1942)

They're all Packards, people.....some you just like better than others!....

Hi

Without doubt, the Clipper design influenced their thinking when the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud/Bentley S1 design was in its gestation period. Conceptually and architectually, the designs are same. The English, to their credit, developed the concepts and architecture into one of the most prestigious and elegant production designs of the period. 45 years after it's production ended, it's still the RR/Bentley design when the media used to convey the idea of wealth.

Steve

This photo-altered image might help illustrate what a Clipper might have looked like had the company chosen to continue the traditional grill theme. Have also eliminated the built-in running boards. The result is indeed like RR/Bentley/Jaguar of the 50s. To the owner of the maroon '47 Clipper, please accept my sincere thanks in using your photo.

In retrospect I think Packard had a good opportunity to better differentiate the Seniors from the Juniors during those Clipper years. In addition to the obvious wheelbase difference, here are some ideas:

1) Seniors could have used traditional upright grill while Juniors used Clipper design theme.

2) Seniors could have used notchback styling of Clipper sedan exclusively while Juniors used fastback style only (a popular style in the low to mid-priced field during that era). See image of Junior 4-door fastback.

3) Seniors could have used non-Clipper nomenclature such as One Seventy, slotting the new $2200 sport sedan between the existing One Sixty and One Eighty cars in price. Only the Juniors would have used the Clipper name.

4) Seniors could have eventually included a coupe and convertible, and perhaps a LWB Formal Sedan by adding a section to the sedan. Images show the body styles. Try to envision with upright grill and no running boards. Perhaps the Juniors could have retained the built-in running boards for further differentiation.

Paul West

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Paul, nice job on photo shopping my Clipper. Very attractive. You are welcome.

(o{I}o)

Someone needs to build this car, it looks WONDERFUL!!!

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Well, there ya go, Eric.....

LOL, I have too much on my plate already, without buying ANOTHER project!

All are very interesting ideas. I am rather fond of the Clipper as designed, but the wider grill does seem to make a lot of difference. I rather think that grill with or even without the rest of front end changes and on a convertible would have been very well received.

Gentlemen - your positive response is much appreciated. And thanks again for permitting the use of your photo, JW.

Doing a vehicle build would put the design team right back there in 1940, a pretty cool prospect. Lots of details would need to be worked out but if done right the result could be both stunning and a worthy addition to the Packard story.

HH56 - do you mean something along the lines of this quick & dirty photo chop? Do you envision horizontal slats in the grill rather than vertical? Keep the running boards?

Paul

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