Re: Packard Motor Company returns...sorta...

Daniel J. Stern wrote:

> http://www.packardmotorcar.com/
>
> Ye gods. It's hideous! Let's see if I can identify some of the, er,
> "styling":
>
> The swoopy lines aft of the front wheel and forward of the rear wheel are
> directly off a '77 Olds Cutlass Supreme 4-door.. In fact, so is the front
> door.
>
> The rear door glass is directly off an AMC Hornet.

The overall look actually kinda reminds me of a new Jag.  Not in a good 
way.  You're right about the olds connection - that side shape was an 
olds styling cue for years.  Looks better on an Olds.  Trunk like looks 
like that new big Hyundai.  Gak.

> The radiator grill is from that "build your own pimpmobile" kit that was
> popular in the 1980s...Excalibur //e or whatever.

Sadly enough, I feel obligated to point out that the Excalibur was 
styled by Brooks Stevens of Studebaker fame and the original Excaliburs 
were built on leftover Studebaker chassis.  Oh how the mighty etc.

Of course, I never did like what Stevens did to the Hawk either - took 
Bob Bourke's kickass, timeless Euro-flavored design and turned it into 
an old guy car.

Surely they could have kept the traditional Packard grille shape and 
made it less... um... pimpish?  Kind of like an Aston Martin?  But no, 
that looks worse than an Edsel ever did.

> The cornering/front sidemarker lights appear to be shelf stock from
> the '80-'89 Lincoln Town Car.
>
> The quad round sealed beam headlights are state of the art circa 1957,
> and are set into bodywork lifted directly from an Acura Integra.
>
> Windshield looks like a stock standard '77-'90 Chevrolet Caprice item.
>
> Oh, yeah, "ultra luxury and style" at an "If you have to ask..." price.
> Eeeyuck!
>
> They'll probably sell enough of them to stay in business, because there
> are so many people with much more money than taste.
>
> DS

For the price you could probably buy a helluva REAL Packard.  I'll have 
a '55 Caribbean convertible please.  Already got tons o' spare 
drivetrain bits for it :)

nate

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