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I believe it was a combination of two factors in 1940 that had Packard move it body building to Briggs. The first was the introduction of the new Clippers with entirely new bodies, and the contract to build RR Merlin engines. Initially, there was not enough factory floor space to do the bodies for new Clippers and build the Merlins at the same location at the same time. The bodies for the traditional styled Packards continued to be made at EGB until production ceased because of WW-II. After the war Briggs continued as Packard's body builder through the 1954 models. Correct?

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I believe I'm correct when I say that Briggs also built the "conventional" bodies in 1941 and 1942.

O_D, good to have this information. Have you captured any data on Briggs body numbers from the 1941-42 traditional styled Packards? I should go back and read your articles on this subject.

I recall reading that Packard built a 100,000 sq.ft. facility for the Merlin contract in record time to get the badly needed engines to England. Much activity going on at Packard in those months before the U.S. entered the war.

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Roger (RogerDetroit), I went back and found a picture (thanks to Howard) that shows the separate building with the white roof in the thread Packard Plant: Aerial Photos - Dec 2011. Thanks for sharing.

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Dave (Owen), I am almost sure that your wording "believe" has been intended as a display of politeness rather than a serious doubt. To make sure to come to a real understanding I kindly ask you to substantiate your belief. Thanks in advance.

I just finished an excellent biography of Henry Ford, "The Peoples Tycoon" by Steven Watts. In the book there is mention of Ford reneging on an agreement brokered by his son Edsel to manufacture 6000 engines for Rolls Royce (which I assume was the Merlin) prior to the US entering the war in 1940. I had known that Henry Ford refused the contract to build the engines but didn't know that he had in fact accepted the contract then cancelled much to the embarrassment of Edsel.
After Dec.7 1941 Ford changed his mind and wholeheartedly supported the war effort as we know.

Dave (clipper47), I have read that the company accepted but Henry Ford refused.

Gusha said I am almost sure that your wording "believe" has been intended as a display of politeness rather than a serious doubt. To make sure to come to a real understanding I kindly ask you to substantiate your belief. Thanks in advance.

No Gusha, I meant it exactly as I said it. I believe it's true but can't lay my hands on any definitive proof at the moment.

Oh Dave, your words bring disaster over me. For three years the assembler-argument has been one of my preferred replies to disprove the myth around the origin of the Soviet tools. I'm afraid that its deciples will joyfully ram me into the ground.

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To make the best of a bad job, now the inverse direction. John (JW), I kindly ask you to substantiate the above quoted sentence. Which source or deliberation led you to that statement? Thanks in advance.