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Does anyone know the answer to this?

At one time (1800's) the fastest way to travel from the east coast to the west coast was by Clipper ship. They were very fast for their day. Even today Clipper artifacts are coveted by collectors in that venue. I believe Packard just borrowed the name as did Pan American Airwayshttp://www.flyingclippers.com/panam.html
who sued Packard for using the name. I don't know the outcome but S/P was still using the name thru 1958

All I could find on this is on page 494 of the Beverly Rae Kimes History of Packard where it states "Skipper the Clipper" coaxed the sales dept.

It's enough perhaps that it's basic design was by Howard "Dutch" Darrin who came up with a small model in 4 days.

IIRC, One of the books mentioned the suit was dropped by PanAm when Packard died because they figured they were not going to use the name any longer and S-P had no money to be had if they won anyway.

I recall reading someplace that in 1941 military associations with names and images like the Clipper being illustrated with uniformed Naval types were considered a positive sales tool in that time of defense preparation. You also had the Olds "Dynamic Cruiser" and the like at that time, and lots of ads stating what the auto companies were building for the military.

Maybe Packard came up with the Clipper name from a defunct automotive company. The name may have come from an automotive company called the Clipper Autocar Company which was located in Grand Rapids Michigan.


John F. Shireman

I don't think it's coincidence that the name Clipper came along for the junior car line the same time the name Pan American was chosen for the show car.

EDIT: Oops, it didn't, did it. My foolish error. I was thinking of the revivial of the Clipper name in 1953.