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

I know the 48 to 50 models were unpopular for a long time. But compare them to their contemporaries.

They were in the swim with style leaders 1946-52 Kaiser and 1947-49 Studebaker. Similar to the 48-54Hudson, 49-51 Mercury and Lincoln. The "inverted bathtub" look was in style there for a while, although it quickly became dated when the "three box" look came in, and even more dated in the "chrome and tailfins" era.

Since the mid 80s the rounded jelly bean look has come back, since then the 49-50 jobs don't look so bad.

Incidentally Packard had the style leader from 42 to 47, and the 48-50 models deserve credit for successfully restyling the old body when other companies had to pay for completely new bodies to get the same look.

To me the 42-47 Clipper style has it over the 48-50 restyle like Marilyn Monroe over Tugboat Annie but at the time, it was a smart thing to do.

Great observation about Packard rear styling. For the Contour cars I prefer the vertical lights with fender top extension, but can certaily see why you like the double lights with fender top extension. Also agree that the sore thumbs look good on the Panther, although I don't see them belonging on a top-of-line Packard. Top of line means something special, something spectacular. Packard's last true "something special, something spectacular" design was, IMHO, the 1932-39 grill. When I think of Packard, I think of that grill. In the 50s they needed memorable design of that caliber to get back on top.

Rusty - agree that Packard deserves credit for having the nerve to do straight-through styling in '48. Christopher was not the demon some have made him out to be. The guy helped save Packard by getting its costs under control, and he pushed the modern design forward while his designers were still stuck on the needle nose. On the 42-47 Clippers, I have looked at that car from all angles under all levels of light. IMHO can't see the design leadership. Proportionally it is problematic. The body is so wide, it might have been a good candidate for a straight through front fender al la the Pierce Silver Arrow. To try to work in half high front fenders and bulging running boards into such a wide and stubby body might have been asking too much. The car looks much better on the 148" limo wheelbase where the surfaces have a chance to collect and resolve themselves. Personally I think the concurrent Buicks were better designs. Just an opinion.

Certainly Packard was a style leader in the 30s with its grill. Surveys of the day suggested as much. Car show gawkers today confirm.

Here's an example of a nice early 50s anti-Cadillac-flamboyance design. The body is similar to my work-up with just a little flare to the fenders. Front grill is well-defined yet modern. Rear lights are slight but elegant and upscale. Packard had lots of opportunity back then to continue the straight-through body side look of the bathtubs... and school Cadillac on the elements of restraint, proportion and taste.

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Same Chrysler concept car seen at Greenwich (CT) Concours d'Elegance this month.

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Those timeless concept cars by Ghia for Chrysler became the basis for the well known Karmann Ghia a couple of years later. Packard lost design leadership after 1947, but the 55/56s were a nice try, imo.

I always loved this Pinin Farina designed 1952 Packard Coupe which was never built during Packards reign, but later custom built by a collector based on the Pinin Farina drawings.

http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z9429/Packard-Pinin-Farina-Coupe.aspx

I saw it a couple years ago when it was at the Museum in Dayton.

As seen a few years ago at the Greenwich (CT) Concours. Same vehicle, right Kev?

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Dave, yes same car.

Incredible amount of body work and re-engineering done to the Pinin Farina car and wonderful passion the gentleman who modified it has. Like the floor mounted stick shift, must be really fun to drive.

Was thinking about HH56's preference for the '54 rear and wanted to give it a try. Again many thanks to the owner of one of the nicest 54s out there. Image adds the same 5" to the hood as on the 51 work-up and most of the other changes. Keeps the 54 backlight. Overall, one thing that jumps out is that the 54 has many extra chrome trim pieces added while the 51 relies on pure body design. I kind of like the 51 better. The windshield and backlight match each other and meld with the rounded body while the 54's front and rear glass seem to follow GM.

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