1958 packard hard top sports coupe

[@jeffgreen7499]

There was 1 of these cars in my neighborhood, I saw it often. Big surprise was back in 1980 when I was record hunting on Cleveland's near east side. I was on West 25th Street, and when walking back and forth to where I left my car parked I passed a used car lot that had 2 of these cars in good condition parked side by side. I stopped and looked them over, stunned that I saw 2 in the same place!

[@What.its.like.]

Awesome story thank you for sharing those memories

[@jeffgreen7499]

@@What.its.like. You're welcome. It's a pleasant memory for me. I enjoyed yout video!

[@starchiefgrayflake8224]

This car smaller than Chevrolet, Buick, oldsmobile, Cadillac, Chrysler of same year. I like the styling on this car. Much more restrained than other models offered in '58

[@John-nf6mc]

Thanks for this information. I saw a nice photo of one (lavender, black & silver) taken by Joseph Sohm in front of the Colony Hotel in Miami. I knew about the Packard Hawk, but I needed to know more about this model. I understand that it was a desperate attempt to save the company and that it didn't live up to the standards that Packard was known for. Still, I like the car and I am pleased that there are people who care to preserve it for the future. Coming from a family that had Kaisers, a Studebaker and several AMC cars, I do have a soft spot for the orphans.

[@What.its.like.]

You bet happy you dig this episode

[@buffdelcampo]

I always liked this hardtop. The fins and real Packard tail lights make it great.

[@christopherkraft1327]

To me it's kind of sad that once great car companies like Packard, Pace Arrow & Deusenburg no longer exist! Thank you for your channel, I really enjoy the cars you review & all of the interesting historical facts you present!!! Keep up the good work!!! 👍👍🙂

[@What.its.like.]

Thank you so much. I look forward to the comments like you guys look for the content. =) It would have been cool if packard made it Lincoln and Cadillac need a revival (Chrysler hasn’t revival them in years)

[@christopherkraft1327]

@@What.its.like. I agree!!!

[@HarborLockRoad]

You think thats bad, on my route, a farmer has an old air cooled Franklin in a lean to, in sad shape... Breaks my heart!

[@kevincruz4045]

The 58 Packard & Studebaker Hardtop is one year only! The 57 Packard Clipper (Also a Studebaker) was supercharged! Great video and one of the cleanest examples around!

[@What.its.like.]

=)

[@aaronwilliams6989]

Those cars still looked pretty darn sharp!

[@garygreen7552]

This car was a strange evolution of one of the most beautiful cars made in the USA, the 1953 Studebaker coupe. I had a 1954 Studebaker two-door and I loved it. It also had a 289 V-8 although I don't know if it was the same engine as the 1958 Packard. It had a 3-speed Borgewarner Automatic. Packard was a great company as was Studebaker. They both built great cars. Too bad they are no longer with us.

[@What.its.like.]

Do you still have the 54 speedster? That was a super sweet model

[@garygreen7552]

@@What.its.like. I had to sell it about 1970 when the transmission need to be rebuilt, and I couldn't afford to have it done. I was a beautiful car.

[@What.its.like.]

54 speedsters are cool super rare I’ve only seen 1 ever golden hawk is a car I’ve been looking for to feature on this channel I want to show more Hudson Nash studebaker packard Crosley rambler imperial on this channel

[@uox179]

I agree, same with Nash and Hudson

[@glorialondon5054]

​@@What.its.like.54 Speedsters do not exist, the Speedster was a one year only model. There were only 2,215 produced in 1955!

[@califdad4]

a friend of mine told me he drove a Packard Hawk to his Catholic high school in the mid 70s, his Father collected cars

[@What.its.like.]

I got to drive this car after I did the episode rides good it’s a weird car in the fact that it’s a luxury car but it has rollup windows in 1958

[@califdad4]

@@What.its.like. a lot of people were not trusting power windows in the 50s and even 60s. The old 40s early 50s hydraulic power windows gave people troubles and started the mistrust of them

[@zacktong8105]

We hardly saw ANY of these by the Fifties. But they brought Mercedes to North America, but in the Thirties and Forties they were considered to be luxury vehicles with beautiful styling only a few of which are still around.

[@What.its.like.]

1936-1942 is my favorite era of packards

[@vincentconsolo5782]

Flight O Matic was a 3 speed auto developed in conjunction with both Studebaker and Borg - Warner engineers. Twin Traction is what we now call " Positraction".

[@What.its.like.]

Yeah I miss spoke thank you for that correction =) limited slip is what I should have said traction is totally wrong. Did ford also have a hand in that transmission because what I’ve read the original ford o matic was a three speed unit that worked very similar to this?

[@vincentconsolo5782]

@@What.its.like. i dont recall. But, BW supplied trannys to Studie, AMC, early Fords probably as Ford didnt have their own C4 auto till 1964. Packard was the only "Independent" to design their own automatic transmission with lock up convertor in 1949 ! Chrysler was next to have that in 1972 with the inspiration coming from Packard.

[@jimstrict-998]

Starting for 1951 models, there were 2 different versions of the Borg-Warner 3-speed automatic. Studebaker used the "better" version. Ford opted for a somewhat cheaper and simpler version, which they called Fordomatic. However, with sales-volume declining during 1955, Studebaker switched to the cheaper Fordomatic version for the 1956 model year. With the demise of "true" Packards after the 1956 model-run, the 57-58 Packards also used this 3-speed Fordomatic, which normally started in 2nd; unless the accelerator was floored, or Low was manually selected. Yes, Studebaker called either version of this Borg-Warner transmission as "Flightomatic".

[@asteverino8569]

Love this rare car and the Hawk. Because they are almost strange, rare. Thanks for showing these and the details. Tootaloooooooo

[@What.its.like.]

This car was the car that introduced me to jk galleria, one of the managers posted this car on packard form on Facebook about the T T badge (twin traction) with only 675 made ive never seen one except this one.

[@richardmiranda640]

luxurious

[@rogerking7258]

As a Brit, I find this thing absolutely hideous - and utterly gorgeous - at the same time! The difference between American cars and British cars of the era as to be seen to be believed; a typical British family car of the era, such as the Austin A35 would fit in the boot (trunk) of this. Imagine my disappointment on visiting New York a few years ago and finding that instead of Checkers, the yellow cabs were all Korean hatchbacks. Your cars have shrunk and ours have grown to stupid proportions these days. Regarding the Merlin engines, the story goes that Rolls Royce took great car to ensure that every engine was hand assembled, with components selected to be the best match for each other. Packard just said, "Well, instead of that, if we just make all the components exactly the same in the first place we won't have to waste time with that nonsense". As a result, several people I know that have actually been involved reckon the Packard version was better.

[@What.its.like.]

Thank you so much for sharing all that =) packard built Merlin v-12 under contract for the war and it so sad that after the was packard was just a shell of what they were. Don’t get me wrong 55 Caribbean was nice and probably the last great packard 1936-1942 in my opinion Parker’s didn’t make a bad car.

[@5610winston]

6:20 Studebaker's Flight-O-Matic was a planetary three-speed, essentially the same as the AMC push-button Flash-O-Matic. Some confusion may arise from the PNDLR lever shift quadrant, but the transmission usually started in second unless the low range was selected, and popping the lever into low at highway speeds would shift the transmission into second until the car slowed to around 30 mph when the first-gear shift wouldn't overspeed the engine. If you overshifted to reverse, the car would remain in forward gear until it had all but stopped.

[@What.its.like.]

Thank you so much for sharing that information =)

[@albertcarello619]

@5610winston: If you floored the accelerator from a stand start it would kick down to first gear in D range and below 25 miles an hour you'd get a kick down from 2nd to first gear. Otherwise the transmission normally starts in 2nd gear in the D range.

[@5610winston]

@@albertcarello619 Never paid much attention to the automatics when I was little and my parents always had manuals, and the Commander I learned to drive in was a three on the tree with overdrive. I've never bought an automatic and hope my '23 Crosstrek lasts as long as i keep driving.

[@StratKruzer]

The advertising logo at the beginning looks more than a little racy for 1903. Where did you find that?

[@jefferywarshawsky2263]

I love Packard the finest Americans automobile

[@jamesparson]

11:40 I am ready for him to say the clock doesn't have pointers. If the light goes on, time has stopped.

[@lasuvidaboy]

Interesting hodgepodge of styling elements. The tacked-on quad headlight setup and fiberglass tail-fins are odd but the 2-door hardtop shape is still attractive.

[@What.its.like.]

Apparently the fins are not fiberglass the hood is tho

[@tedlawrence4189]

The coupe is not that bad looking. Better than the sedan! Bodywise it's a '58 Stude. With nicer trim. I liked the pre '57 Packards.

[@jeffking4176]

Someone in my neighborhood owned a ‘58 Packard wagon, when I was growing up. I was always fascinated by it. - there were also a couple of Studebakers, and 2 Checker Marathons in the neighborhood. 📻🙂

[@What.its.like.]

That’s awesome, I saw 58 packard wagon at Hershey last year i didn’t know how rare they were going to Hershey again maybe it will be there this year =)

[@jeffking4176]

@@What.its.like. Cool. 📻🙂

[@hanschenk8256]

your videos and uitlines are all excellent

[@What.its.like.]

Thank you =)

[@leoneaster]

There is an old automotive adage that states "Two red ink companies don't make one in the black." But hey I love the Packard Motor Car Company. I loved their styling, especially the pre-war models like the 1935 Super Eight Coupe Roadster to the 1939 Packard V12 Coupes. President Roosevelt official car was a Packard.

[@What.its.like.]

Sweet =)

[@leoneaster]

Query..! Isn't it a shame Packard, DeSoto, etc., couldn't ask Ike for a government bail-out at that time!

[@What.its.like.]

I wish packard would have merged with pierce arrow and peerless they could’ve been the three Ps under one roof

[@jimhernandez3563]

Packard got CATFISHED?? 😮 That would explain that GRILLE!! 😂

[@What.its.like.]

Yeah lol

[@robertguttman1487]

Referred to derisively as a "Packardbaker", this was really nothing more than a re-badged Studebaker with a different front end treatment. It was a sad ending to a great automotive story.

[@What.its.like.]

It was a super sad ending to a great story I often say packard died in wwii because the market change so much after the war packard didn’t change with the times people wanted v8s not the straight 8 even though the straight 8 was and is one of the smoothest engines of all time. It was seen as old outdated technology. Pontiac and packard were the last ones to give up the straight 8. Pontiac was under the umbrella of gm packard didn’t have that security. They made a terrible miscalculation when they shacked up Studebaker. I will say at the very very least Studebaker went out with a bang with the Avanti..

[@hcombs0104]

I never thought I'd see one of these...one of the rarest of all cars, very unpopular in a year of bad car sales. The closest I ever came in my life of seeing one of these in person was a four-door 1958 Studebaker sedan on loan by my paternal grandmother whose '59 Mercury was in the body shop, back in 1965.

[@What.its.like.]

Yeah I’ve never seen quad headlight hardtop just this one I see the packard hawk from time to time. It amazes me how the packard hawk is hideous compared to the studebaker golden hawk when they are virtually the same car

[@nancycarpenter9782]

Thank you for telling about zinc and classic cars

[@What.its.like.]

=) it’s hard to find oil that’s not made from natural gas or detergent... Last time I went to Walmart all of the oil is synthetic or full synthetic detergent which isn’t good for old engines from what I’ve read it’s a fine line of helping people but I’m not a mechanic, I just like old cars, that’s why I reiterate over and over again but these are Baseline numbers and it’s going to affect what part of the world you live in I’m in western Pennsylvania.. the climate is different here than in Texas. =)

[@jeffreym.keilen1095]

TT stands for Twin Traction. It is a Dana 44 positraction. You also could get these cars with the VS57 McColloch supercharger.

[@What.its.like.]

Awesome thank you for that correction I’ll have to look for a supercharged one i didn’t know they existed

[@seanhoward8025]

​@@What.its.like.Jay, I believe the supercharger was on the 1957 Packards and the 1958 Packard Hawk.

[@Radiowild]

A rare car considering the recession going on in 1958.

[@What.its.like.]

They made less of these than Ferrari f40 or Edsel citation convertible (930) but the rarest packard was the wagon only 151 of those where made

[@Radiowild]

@@What.its.like. Love wagons! - kzbin.info/www/bejne/pXfKkmuHa56Ci9k

[@5610winston]

No review of the pedal box? That narrow pedal at the left, was that the windshield washer pump?

[@What.its.like.]

Sorry about that I guess it was before we started doing that segment

[@errorsofmodernism9715]

Car looks great, I love the cream color

[@What.its.like.]

I couldn’t believe the condition that was in =)

[@windsorcastle9973]

Another great video! Keep up the great work! You honestly are what i’ve been looking for, for a great deal of time! You are one of the only creators to show every bit and piece of the car and the history behind them. Great job! One car I would love to see is a early 40s Buick or Cadillac. Or even a Dusenburg! Keep up the great work and stay well!

[@What.its.like.]

Thank you so much it mean the world to me that people dig the content and the channel, there wasn’t that much advertising for this car which is always a bummer. I need to get better at a few things like b roll. There is a dusenburg in this town well around here it’s a dual cowl phaeton I want to do that car so so bad... so that’s coming not sure when but I’ll do everything in my power to make it happen this year, 40 Buick is that the one with what I call the beak Buick’s ohv straight 8.. I saw a 1939 last year guy never called me. We haven’t even scratched the surface of the amount of weird cars that never get talked about. =)

[@markw208]

@@What.its.like. , You are getting more and more compliments. I’m glad you mention the museum that is cooperating with you for the videos. No doubt they appreciate the advertising.

[@johnellis2347]

I believe you meant what's it like. Sad ending to a great make

[@spencersmith2798]

My parents had a new red and white ‘58 Packard coupe…what a car.

[@What.its.like.]

How did it ride ?

[@TomCozzoli]

Jay, I enjoy your videos very much. My car is a 1954 Packard Clipper with 27K original miles if you would like to do a video on it. Also, would you consider doing more comparisons? Thanks

[@What.its.like.]

Yeah Tom were are you located? I want to do more comparisons for sure.. =)

[@automatedelectronics6062]

Hang on. The Flightomatic was a 3-speed automatic but 1st gear was only accessible by placing the gear selector in "L". These were similar to the Ford-O-Matic. In "D" or "Dr", it would start in 2nd and automatically shift to 3rd. Studebaker used this automatic until the end of U.S. production. They did add a 2nd gear position for the Avanti's, but "D" still started in 2nd. The Flightomatic replaced the Packard-built Ultramatic, which was a 2-speed with a lock-up torque converter. It had a DH and a DL drive position and in the DH, it started and stayed in 2nd and the direct drive torque converter clutch still would apply automatically at speed.

[@What.its.like.]

Thank you so much for that correction =) I’ll see if I can find a link to the advertising piece I got that info off because I swore their automatic was 3 speed not a two speed but yeah works just like the ford o matic or later cruise o matic =)

[@automatedelectronics6062]

@@What.its.like. The Ford Cruise-O-Matic added a second drive position. The main drive was for 3-speed operation and the one above it was for 2-speed operation(who knows why?). Studebaker and Ford both introduced their 3-speed automatics in 1950 and1951. Studebaker's first automatic, called "Automatic Drive" was designed by them in conjunction with Borg-Warner's Detroit Gear division. It also included a lock-up torque converter. Jaguar also used this automatic. Due to high production costs, Studebaker went to the same Borg-Warner unit that Ford used. They called it "Flight-O-Matic". Ford went on to build their own cast-iron automatics adding a large one and a small one. Ford continued using the medium one, known as the MX and FMX well into the late 1970's. This was a Borg-Warner unit and was still called the Cruise-O-Matic. Ford introduced their first 2-speed automatic, resurrecting the Ford-O-Matic name. It was used in Edsel's and Ford's forthcoming new small and mid-sized cars and a few full-sized models into 1964 when it was replaced by the new C4 COM. OK, here's what changed between the early FGM and the new for 1958 COM. They added a mechanical roller(sprag) clutch in the center of the transmission case so it could automatically start in 1st gear without applying the rear band. Studebaker never did this to theirs, but, as I stated, added a 2nd gear position to the Avanti. The Avantis, with the R2 supercharged engine were real rocketships. I have driven them. Starting in manual 1st, the car would suck you back in the seats. When you shifted to 2nd, the rear wheel would break loose and continue to keep you in your seat. After Studebaker ceased it's U.S. operations and continued manufacturing in Canada, they also switched to Chevy drive trains, using their first 2-speed automatic, the Powerglide. Most Studebaker owners wouldn't know the difference. Oh, the 1957 Golden Hawks used the Packard 352 V8 along with their UltraMatic, just as Nash did.

[@What.its.like.]

Thank you so much for sharing all of that awesome history and information =)

[@albertcarello619]

Automated Electronics: It could still obtain 1st gear in the "D" position by depressing the accelerator to the floor from a standstart and hold that gear until approximately 40 miles per hour in which it will then shift to 2nd gear. Also below 25 miles an hour you can also get full throttle kickdown to 1st gear in the "D " Range.

[@automatedelectronics6062]

@@albertcarello619 That is how the Ford-O-Matic worked, starting in 1956. I don't remember this with Studebakers. The 1963 Avanti R2 did not kick down into 1st automatically , 1st had to be selected manually. I remember a transmission shop telling me this was normal. They tried swapping in a FOM valve body, but it wouldn't fit.

[@discerningmind]

Nice job covering this rare car. I'm surprised to learn that the hood is fiberglas. One thing that really cracks me up is the way they did the quad headlights. As many of us know the that the change to four headlights was a big deal for the 1958 cars. Just about all cars had made this change. It was something about a federal law that allowed their use whereas previously only two headlights were allowed. Well, the amusing part to me on this car is how the outboard head lights glaringly caused a rounded extension in the fender that screams that they wouldn't fit. So they had to shape this extension into the fender. It's weird like the designer were caught off guard. Comparing this model to the '58 Packard Hawk one can see the way the headlights were supposed to look using the two-headlight design.

[@What.its.like.]

I also forgot to mention that hood scoop isn’t functional but I figured People would see that =) what is the quad headlights and then they went back to single headlights and They keep going back-and-forth.

[@discerningmind]

@@What.its.like. It seemed that overall quad headlights became the norm for the better models of cars and the two-headlight systems were used on the lesser, or more economical cars. As well, it seemed that Designers/Manufacturers made an unspoken statement in the use of either system dependent upon what they wanted the front of the car to say about it.

[@emjayay]

Everything is tacked on this car. The dual headlights nacelle, the shape around the grille, the fins. All fiberglass like the hood so they wouldn't have to spend money they didn't have on metal dies. Seams showing everywhere. When real Packards ended in 1956 they closed the modern Packard factory and kept the ancient inefficient Studebaker one going. Its assembly line couldn't fit a wider car than the narrow Studebaker bodies from 1953. Meanwhile cars had gotten wider and wider. It was really a hopeless case until Studebaker chopped off front and rear overhang from that narrow body creating the Lark, which gave them a few more years.

[@MonsterHobbiesModelCarGarage]

It's a dressed up 1957 Studebaker body. the Quads came in in 1958, but were not legal in all States and Provence's until 1959..

[@steves9905]

Man that is a stunner, even with those funky add-on fins and headlight pods. Beautiful interior...protected by those horrible plastic covers they used to use back in the day. My parents had a newish 68 Chevelle with a cloth interior and the nubby plastic covers , which even as a kid i hated. As soon as they gave the car to me, I took the covers off and I think the cloth lasted maybe another year, so I guess those covers worked. Anyway, gorgeous Packard...thx for the great vid on the end of a significant make

[@What.its.like.]

That car was the only one I’ve seen nicest 58 car I’ve seen in a while. Best packards in my opinion were before wwii the world and market changed after wwii and packard couldn’t/didn’t change until it was too late

[@steves9905]

Also those awesome taillights were often scammed on by hot rodders...such a great look

[@glennso47]

The Packard Hawk looks like a shark in the front end.

[@What.its.like.]

Yeah I can see it too =)

[@captaccordion]

Twin traction I imagine would be marketing speak for limited slip differential. And the Flight O Matic transmission was Borg Warner and 3 speed. Oil filter atop the motor? Try changing it without making a mess! Interesting to see Studebaker's Hawk logo in the centre of the steering wheel. On shiny stuff, there's 3 sorts on such a car. There's aluminium, as was present on the dashboard. Then there is stainless steel, which is an alloy of iron, carbon and chromium. It's usually referred to just as 'stainless' as was seen on the kick panel on the bottom of the door trim. It would also be the side trims and window trims. Then there is chromium plated steel or brass or mazak, which is a car's chromework - bumpers, door handles, window frames etc.

[@What.its.like.]

=) awesome information thank you so much for adding it.. I saw studebakers borg Warner and ford worked together was it for this transmissions both 3 speeds but start out in second it’s interesting Idk why I said it was a traction control system it was a limited slip diff great idea just to late I guess the idea was to cancel the packard when money wasn’t an issue release a really luxurious car branded as packard but things never really improved studebaker dropped packard name in 1962... I’ve read that studebaker never really went out of business just stopped making cars is that true?

[@alb5489]

Changing oil filter was not a problem...you drained the oil from the pan and the oil in the filter drained too. Never a problem on my '59 Hawk.

[@captaccordion]

@@alb5489 Ah, that's the trick! Thanks.

[@davidtosh7200]

After 1 year absent of Packard hardtop which is 1957 model.

[@leightonfarms4962]

excellent!

[@What.its.like.]

Thank you =)

[@albertcarello619]

The Flightomatic Automatic Transmission is basically a 3 speed automatic which starts in 2nd gear from a standstart except under wide open throttle which it will then start out in 1st gear and hold that gear up to about 40 miles per hour. Below 25 miles an hour you can get a full throttle downshift from 2nd to 1st gear. This transmission is unusual compared to other 3 speed automatics.

[@What.its.like.]

Thank you so much for that correction =) sounds similar to fords cruise-o-matic 25 miles per hour on that one is the difference or so I’ve been told. =)

[@HarborLockRoad]

Arent almost all their units Borg- Warner?

[@albertcarello619]

@@HarborLockRoad Yes they are.

[@albertcarello619]

@@HarborLockRoad Yes definitely.

[@albertcarello619]

@@HarborLockRoad Yes they are.

[@jerrycallender9927]

Your reports are always epic. No other maker had such glorious fins. When I think of the Packard Hawk, I see a whale shark.

[@What.its.like.]

Haha glad you dig this episode was a while ago do you like the old format or the newer format it’s always changing

[@jerrycallender9927]

@@What.its.like. I like ALL of them.. Life is full of change.

[@johnmaki3046]

Well, the "Hawk" trim job is nice, though!

[@HarborLockRoad]

When i was about 16, about 1983, there was a similar Studebaker Starlight Coupe for sale not far from me, unfortunately, the owner had disassembled the engine for a rebuild, and my parents thus said no. Imagine today...

[@What.its.like.]

I missed out on a lot of cars because parents didn’t approve.

[@neildickson5394]

As designs go, this was a stopgap car, attempting to keep the Packard name alive, perhaps until a new super luxury Packard could be introduced in 59 based upon the French Facel-Vega. In an era of enormous excesses like the 59 Cadillac, or the 58 Edsel, this basic Clipper priced model was not worthy of the glorious Packard name. People love to berate these cars because of that heritage, but in fact they were simply a product of a struggling company, and of their times, style wise. They were very nice Studebaker's.

[@What.its.like.]

58 from what I’ve read was a bad year for the economy (was it like 2009) I wasn’t around.. I’m a huge Edsel fan 1958 is my favorite year I think of ford launched the car in 1957 or 56 things may have been different who knows. Packard went out like a lamb that’s for sure studebaker went out like a lion with the avanti.

[@neildickson5394]

@@What.its.like. The Avanti is almost a supernatural brand. It alone carried the Studebaker legend into the 21st century. Originally, before it became an Avanti, the Packard name was considered, as well as Pierce-Arrow. The last years of Packard styling was very similar to Lincoln Mercury, or vice versa. If you like the 58 Edsel, you would probably like the planned 57 Packard's, which were to have a similar, tho much refined front vertical grill. Packard had been working on that since the early 50's, as well as the reverse slant rear window, both later Ford styling touches.

[@danielulz1640]

@@neildickson5394 many Packard stylists moved to Ford in the 50's, which greatly influenced the look of the Edsel and the 56 through 60 Lincoln.

[@neildickson5394]

Afterthought. The reason a 59 superluxury Packard never made it to the showroom floor alongside the new Lark is that Mercedes - Benz did not want any competition for their old fashioned and ugly model 300. Mercedes had a direct hand in killing Studebaker-Packard.

[@emjayay]

Not remotely true. Studebaker was out of money for years and had the oldest least efficient factory in the business. They had no money for a new anything. Every car they made until the end was a modified version of the 1953 model, while the competition had gone through tree or four generations. They had closed the modern Packard factory, and the old Studebaker plant could not fit cars wider than the narrow 1953.

[@MyDarkmarc]

What Happened To Packard and Why? During the 1930's the luxury brands that people who still had the money to purchase an automobile would gravitate to what I would call the three "Ps." They were Packard, Pierce Arrow and or Peerless. Everyone else was not really considered a real luxury brand. The first to go under was Peerless in 1931 followed right behind was Pierce Arrow in 1938. The reason why Packard survived the Depression was they were able to introduce in 1935 the 120 it was priced at $980 and $1095. They were a hit almost from the start with about 25,000 made. It definitely opened a new market for Packard. In 1936 Packard's sales of the 120 reach 55.042 which saved Packard from going under in 1936. Then in 1937 Packard made a crucial mistake that would not be felt for at least a few years. Then Packard introduced a car even less expensive then the Packard 120 which Packard called the 110. Packard was right it outsold the 120 and by 1940 it was outselling it by 13 to 10. Packard production hit a high note at 122,000 cars. In the long run Packard had save its bacon but with its mid-price series, the 120 and 110. Unfortunately it diminished Packard's cachet as America's luxury car maker because the hot-selling junior series looked similar to the senior Packards, at least from the front. Further the 110 was considered dumpy by some observers. Workmanlike and slow (the engine 100 brake horsepower), the 110 had minimal prestige, and dulled the gloss of the entire marquee. Cadillac boasted more power and had moved beyond the generally upright Packard styling to a more modern look. By the end of the 1930's, then, Packard was in image-remission, leaving Cadillac as the sales and prestige leader in the luxury segment. For 1939, Packard's 120 and 110 returned as before but it would be the last year for the Packard Twelve Custom. The Twelve Customs were priced between $6,880 to $8,355 only 446 were made for 1939 but they would never return. The seeds of Packard's failure in the 1950's had begun. In 1940 Packard introduced a new series called the "Clipper" it feature a break with the past in styling. Not the regular Packards weren't beautiful. They were, but in an old-fashioned squared-up mode rather than the flowing modern shape. Unlike Cadillac, Packard continued to emphasize it's mid-price models, effectively canceling its long tradition as a maker of fine motorcars. In all Packard models adopted the Clipper styling that they had be introduced in mid-1941. Cadillac introduced their pontoon fender-lines, but Packard maintained a distinctive appearance, unlikely to mistake for a Cadillac or Buick. Packard was the only Independent to emerge from the War debt-free. Despite a satisfying financial position, management made what turned out to be a questionable decision. They chose to back away further from the luxury end of the spectrum, and concentrate instead on mid-price cars --postwar equivalents of the 12 series that had helped keep the company alive through the 1930's. As a result, Packard's image suffered and Cadillac wound up as the largely undisputed leader in the prestige-car field. For 1947 Packard was identical in appearance to the 1946. Again the 1947 Packards again aimed closer to the middle market than to the well-to-do-customers, who were more likely to favor Cadillacs. Introduced in 1941 season, through, the Clipper Body was beginning to look dated and in need of more then just a facelift. For financial reasons, that was impossible at this point. Instead, stylists tacked on heaps of sheet-metal to create a new Packard Convertible which debuted in late March 1947 as a 1948 model. The balance of the Packard line would follow in the fall. For financial reasons, Packard had to stick with the Clipper-based body for a few more years. Rather than a mild facelift, designers took a heavy-handed approach for its 1948 series cars. Packard's 1948 profile was based on the prewar Phantom show car, designed by Ed Macauley. Heavy chucks of metal were tacked onto the structure to create a flowing-fender effect, but that added about 200 pounds to the car and yielded a chubby shape. All over country, sharp-eyed car fans dubbed the latest Packard a "Pregnant Elephant" A short squat grille didn't help at all as it was less elegant than the tall, narrow grille of the 1946-47 models. Despite dubious styling the 1948 Packard's sold well nearly 90,000. The 1949 models did not go on sale till May 1949 sales remained brisk, before starting a precipitous decline. 1950 was to be the final year for the inverted-bathtub body. Ultramatic is the only automatic transmission developed solely by an independent automaker was introduced for 1950. Packard lost money despite a sales boom and the reason why was meager sales attributed to loss of luxury image--neither mid-priced nor costly Packards would catch hold. Finally in 1951 Packard received a modern squared off profile on 122 and 127 inch wheelbases. Packard persists in focusing on moderately priced cars: some Packard's cost up to $500 less than the cheapest Cadillac. Packard did get new model designations. For 1952 former Hotpoint executive James Nance takes Packard's helm, promising a new focus on luxury automobiles. For 1953, mid-priced Clipper series joins upper-level Packards , allow sales of "junior" and "senior" models, the Clipper named used in the 1940's is used. The one bright note was the Glamorous Caribbean convertible that out sold the Cadillac Edorado. Production rising to 90,287 and moving Packard up on notch to 14th place in industry standing. In 1954 Packard's and Studebaker's merger would have a devastating effect for Packard. Packard adds the Panama Hardtop in the new Super Clipper line which helped somewhat. In 1955 Packard got a heavy facelift with a wraparound windshield which was still on 1951 body. Packard fielded three series they were: Clipper, Clipper Custom & trio of Big Packards. Packard produces 55,247 cars for 14th place -- up from 16th position lower cost clipper's account for the bulk of sales. Studebaker and Packard report a profit in first quarter but suffers a $30 million net loose for the first full year in operation. Last of the true Packards go on sale for 1956 . Packards employ push-button automatic transmission selector. Shorter-wheelbase Clippers now listed as a separate make called the Executive series it slots in between Clipper and Packards. Curtiss -Wright firm takes over Studebaker-Packard management in August, with Howard E. Churchill as president. 1956 proved to be the year of the demise of the standard Packets. In 1957 all Packard"s are now built in South Bend, Indiana. Designer Richard Teague turns ordinary Studebakers into the Patrician Packarbakers in a hurry-up project. Packard cut production to two models, sales plunge to 4809 built. Curtiss-Wright management ends in October Studebaker and Packard had a loss of $85 million over the last three years. Studebaker and Packard loses for the year were $11 million, despite renewed military production. In mid-season Studebaker-Packard announce that a halt to production has made for Packard. The end of Packard Motors is now confirmed. Packard was dead. Sales for model year 1958 were only 2622 cars built. The main reason why Packard failed and Cadillac went on was Packard was an independent car company and did not have the money or resources to compete with Cadillac or Lincoln in the marketplace especially during the Postwar era. They did give it a good try though. That was the sad ending to what was America's best known luxury Automobile Company.

[@What.its.like.]

Thank you so much for taking the time to explain all of that I really appreciate it =) my favorite era of packard 1936-1942 those are my favorite. Because of design innovation I’m not saying ones before that aren’t any good the 36-42 are still affordable =) depending on model the darrins are expensive but they where always expensive during my life time.

[@anthonypopola5773]

Cadillac crushed Packard and Lincoln in the mid to late forties

[@davidstahl5707]

I guess they wanted to CALL it a packard, but it was nothing of the sort. It was a disgrace after the gorgeous 1956 models-the last REAL packards.

[@What.its.like.]

I just visited the Gilmore auto museum and saw some real packards video coming soon

[@craigjorgensen4637]

Very sad that this was the last gasp attempt for two great car companies to stay alive. A Packardbaker that was a cobbled up Studebaker. They simply couldn’t compete with the Big Three. A lot (maybe a bit too much?) detail but very well done.

[@What.its.like.]

Thank you =)

[@albertcarello619]

Craig Jorgensen: Financially Studebaker and Packard were in poor shape and just couldn't compete with the Big Three Automakers. American Motors also lacked the financial resources of the Big Three as well and that's why they phased out HUDSON and NASH by 1958. AMC just didn't have the money either to continue making radically new vehicles.

[@bladerunner5810]

If you want to get an idea of the weight cost of all the safety devices that are built into modern cars check this out. I own a 2013 Kia Optima that will, in a pinch, transport 5 people, it has a normally aspirated, dual cam 4 cylinder engine producing 200 horsepower and has a 6 speed automatic transmission. I am sure it has lots of sound deadening materials incorporated into the body, has airbags in the normal places and additional airbags for side impact. The car is designed with a great deal of plastic and aluminum. I was astounded to find that the Kia weighs 3400 pounds....the same as the v-8 equipped, all steel bodied 58 Packard.

[@What.its.like.]

Yeah we had a 2016 Kia Sorento ex 2.0 turbo and it weighed as my 52 Chevy 1 ton truck with me inside the truck (4,400lbs) plastic and abs weighs a lot.

[@plunkervillerr1529]

Studebaker bought Packard in 1954 , not the other way around as you stated . What killed Packard sales in the early 50s was their straight eight under powered engine , while all others had gone to V8s even Studebaker in 1951 .

[@What.its.like.]

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Packard According to this it’s says packard buys studebaker

[@robertschmalbach86]

What It's Like is correct, Packard absolutely bought Studebaker, and a poor purchase it was. Packard was in a better position money-wise before the "merger", but after the merger of Nash and Hudson into American Motors they felt they needed to merge to be able to compete with the big three. Studebaker was the only one left. Studebaker had the highest overhead in the industry, and withheld financial information that would have revealed its true break-even point (which was something like 150,000 more units a year than divulged) www.thedetroitbureau.com/2022/02/the-rearview-mirror-studebaker-kills-packard/ I have a 1954 and 1956 Packard Clipper. Those 1957-58 Packards are nice Studebakers, but just aren't Packards. They are an interesting oddity though.

[@danielulz1640]

It was called a merger, but Packard BOUGHT Studebaker.

[@tyronejones7341]

It looks like late fifties DeSoto.

[@What.its.like.]

In ways it sort of does

[@fubarmodelyard1392]

Good information and a really nice feature car. Ranks with Chrysler-Benz as one of the worst mergers

[@What.its.like.]

=)

[@anthonypopola5773]

From the mid forties on, Cadillac knocked the shit out of stodgy Packard and boring Lincoln

[@MrKapton]

I have always thought that the dual headlights alone made that car ugly. They made good cars that just didn't sell any longer. In my opinion they should be still in making cars and rid us of MOPARS. Just my opinion folks don't go bananas on me. I just hate MOPARS. .

[@johntyson1958]

Probably one of the greatest mutants ever manufactured.Yuk! And I will guarantee that there wasn’t an industrial designer anywhere near it!😊

[@What.its.like.]

In my opinion this looks better than the packed hawk

[@ralphtucci4357]

You're misleading the public talking about the Packard when Packard merged with Studebaker it didn't buy Studebaker it merged with Studebaker Studebaker was the one who took on all the debts of Packard and that was a demise of Studebaker if you look at the number of cars that Packard sold they were nil almost nothing compared to Studebaker and that's why Studebaker ran the show not Packard and just to make things clear Packard was a demise of Studebaker. Get your facts straight

[@What.its.like.]

This is where I got the information, go to packard studebaker merger it’s half way down.. according to this packard bought studebaker. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Packard

[@johnmaki3046]

NASTY take here! The '58 "Packard" was an OVERBLOWN Studabaker (STEADY BREAKER!) NOT A CAR OF QUALITY...AS ACTUAL PACKARD PRODUCTS WERE!

[@davidwhitney1171]

The 1958 Packard is, unfortunately one of the most despised of classic cars - even, or especially, by Packard buffs and collectors. This is really a shame because the '58 Packard was really a beautiful, powerful and well- built automobile. The Studebaker underpinning was part of its special status, as it was based on the original Raymond Loewy design. If Packard had to go out, to me it went out with a flourish...

[@What.its.like.]

I guess the plan was to bring back the packard name as luxury brand but 58 recession pretty much put that idea out to pasture.. studebaker followed not long after.. they made probably their best car the avanti as one more shot across the boat, too bad it wasn’t enough to save them.

[@davidwhitney1171]

@@What.its.like. Thank you for your reply. I've always been a big fan of Studebakers as well as Packard (I'm 64, in college I briefly owned a '60 Lark 4-door - parts and service became nearly impossible to obtain so I didn't have it long. As for the Avanti, it didn't save Studebaker but was much too beautiful to let die, so thanks to some forward thinking dealers it subsequently found success as the independently produced Avanti II which I believe utilized Corvette engines. Anyway thank you again and stay well...

[@What.its.like.]

You too we love the orphan cars on this channel want to to a golden hawk this year hopefully =)

[@emjayay]

This Packardbaker was no more well built than any other car, made in the obsolete and inefficient Studebaker factory. Multiple body parts were tacked on fiberglass pieces over the 1953 Studebaker body. The engine was the heavy for its size Studebaker V8, which had no room for more cubic inches while the competition had come out with newer larger engines.

[@davidwhitney1171]

@@emjayay Hi! Thank you for your comment. I suppose you are on point about the "Packardbakers " However, as a car nut since childhood, I guess I've always had a fascination with and a softspot in my heart for unloved automobiles... it's not logical I guess. but just is- everything from the aforementioned Packardbakers, to the late unlamented Trabant, to the Chevy Vega and Chevette, and so many others.. although even I draw the line at some really badddd cars- the Yugo for example (chuckle). Take care....

[@joshuas8258]

That car is a rebadged Studabaker. The last true Packard died in 56. It’s a shame they were beautiful up to that point

[@What.its.like.]

Yeah 56 Caribbean was stellar packard was never the same after WWII

[@harrybriscoe7948]

Packerbakers

[@TomCozzoli]

Spartanburg, SC

[@vernwallen4246]

🗽🗽🗽👍👍👍💕💕💕

[@vincentconsolo5782]

You also forgot Henry Bourne Joy was a founder also.

[@What.its.like.]

Thank you for that correction.. I couldn’t find a picture of George Weiss either.. =(

[@bernardscheidle5679]

You go right ahead and change that oil filter girl scout, and watch all that oil pour out on to the top of the engine. It'll take you 15 minutes to wipe it up and a half roll of paper towels.

[@MonsterHobbiesModelCarGarage]

The Packard Hawk is based on the Studebaker Lark. The Packard you are showing is based on the full size Studebaker. Basically, they "Tacked on" Packard looking parts. That's why the quad headlights bulge out like that and the "Higher" fin on the back is the "Packard" style fin bolted onto the top of the Studebaker fin. All "Packard" dress up pieces were fiberglass to save cost. What you could do for a future video is compare the 1958 Packard to the 1958 Studebaker...show us if the instrument panel is the same, if the engine is the same, etc. That would be a cool video. Also, it's nice that the oil filter is up at the top, but when you go to change it, it looks like the iol would drip on the engine block. Does that happen? - Keep up the great video work!

[@What.its.like.]

I never change filer on top of the engine. But I’d think gravity would make the oil go back down inside the engine. Not sure though

[@MonsterHobbiesModelCarGarage]

@@What.its.like. Studebaker Commander was the car this Packard was based on.

[@What.its.like.]

I thought it was the starlight

[@MonsterHobbiesModelCarGarage]

@@What.its.like. - I had to get the book out. 😁 Last Packards were in 1958. There were two different Packards offered that year. The "Packard" in your video that was basically a dressed up Studebaker President body (Also used on the Commander and Champion) and the sporty Packard Hawk that was a strange version of the Studebaker Golden Hawk (Based off the 1953 Starlight body that ran from 1953 to 1964.) I own a 1951 Studebaker Champion with the bullet nose and wrap-around windshield. Sadly, it's not running and basically a heavy restoration project.

[@jimstrict-998]

Yes, although the video discusses the add-on 2nd fin, the tacked-on quad-headlight bulge is not discussed: Mandatory!

[@Batman-wv5ng]

There is much nicer car for 58 than this , like Olds Chevy thunderbird.

[@What.its.like.]

The studebaker version was better I haven’t done a golden hawk for the channel yet from 57 or 58 but I’ve done a 56

[@Tony-hx2fj]

the '58 front kinda looks like somebody with big buck teeth,

[@dflf]

And I thought the Edsel was an ugly car. This one takes the cake

[@What.its.like.]

I think the Edsel has especially the 58 has aged like fine wine

[@Vickyvee97]

It's a shame that Packard became so cheap looking.

[@What.its.like.]

Looks just like a studebaker starlight

[@theatreorganman]

"Really cool"--surely you can do better than that. The "vinyl " material you refer to on the exterior is "Mylar"--not vinyl.

[@What.its.like.]

Thank you so much for that correction =)

[@bernardscheidle5679]

I will not miss the internal combustion engine AT ALL! Good bye, good riddance, here's some dirt on your coffin. Hello electric!

[@What.its.like.]

Pros and cons to all of it the new stuff they know where that car is at all times, no privacy, one can save phones have trackers but I can leave phone at home. Go and do my own thing and have privacy.. new cars don’t advertise that. Tesla knows where all their cars are.

[@bernardscheidle5679]

@@What.its.like. you will have to get your conservative Supreme Court to rule the right to "unnecessary searches and seizures" clause applies to electric cars, cell phones, and just like they said a landline phone couldn't be wiretapped without a court order. There is an upside though, if your trackable electric car pulls up to a public school, and you have registered assault rifles, they can alert the new Homeland School Police Force that you're fixin' to massacre the kids.

[@What.its.like.]

Yeah like I said pros and cons if someone goes missing can find the car.. if one doesn’t pay car bill they can find the car. It’s the time we live in I just like simpler that’s all.. biggest con no one talks about is if Putin gets mad and starts shooting down satellites (I hope not just saying) none of the new stuff will... but the old mechanical stuff will run regardless.

[@myopinioncountsmost2419]

Interesting information. Unfortunately, your cadence / speech pattern is painful

[@What.its.like.]

Working on. it there is a lot that goes into making a good video I hate my voice but got to make due with what god gave me

[@hcombs0104]

@@What.its.like. your voice is fine. It's best to ignore people like this one.