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

Dave (O_D), thanks for the information and the sad photograph.

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The observation seats at the rear proved impossible so a bench seat was used instead in the prototype and is visible in the color photo. There was also a partition glass between the front seat and the rear compartment.

Most likely done in a hurry and probably within a budget but too bad they didn't try to borrow one of the hide the gas tank filler treatments. I believe I remember reading the tank could not go under the floor but had to sit vertically on the side of the rearward facing seat so there would be foot room for the seat passengers. Doing that and leaving the gas cap on top of the fender kind of messes up the aesthetics. Would have been nice if they could have fit a filler door high above the tail light or even on top in place of the exposed cap.

Henney's cost to produce it has been reported as $13,000.

That would work out to be a little over $122000 today so I guess the one and only model could be considered a bargain if the reported cost to build some of todays one off cars are to be believed. I would expect a lot of the already tooled ambulance and hearse components were used without much modification to keep the cost within reason.

Hi

Compared to the standard hearse and ambulance, other than the C-pillar slanted forward versus square and the parallelogram window additions, not much they had to modify to create the body. Relocation of the fuel tank to accommodate the rearview seat plus outfitting the interior shouldn't have been that much of a project for Henney.

Other than upscale resort hotels such as the Greenbrier or Broadmoor, the market for the Super Station Wagon seems extremely limited.

Steve

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Here's some perspective. New Cadillac Escalade I looked at last week clocked in at $97.000 and change-which used to be Roller territory.