In 1952, James J. Nance became president of Packard and announced that Packard would build only luxury models to compete with Cadillac. The company would cease production of mid-priced cars. While Nance had hoped for a total redesign for the 1954 model year, the company lacked both money and time to make this happen. The revolutionary new model did not appear until 1955. Despite the redesign, Packard lagged behind both Cadillac and Lincoln in sales of luxury cars. Packard merged with Studebaker to become Studebaker-Packard and the last Packards were produced in1958.
Shown below are some of the Packards of the 1950s displayed in the Packard Museum in Dayton, Ohio.
1950 Station Sedan
This was a car for suburbanites. It features wood panels on both sides of the doors and above the beltline. The cargo area was also finished in wood.
This car has a 288 cubic inch straight eight 130 horsepower engine with a 3-speed manual transmission. It sold for $3,449 new (note: a house cost $8,450, the average yearly wage was $3,210, a gallon of gas was $0.18, and the average new car cost $1,510 at this time).
1951 200 Club Sedan
This car has a 327 cubic inch straight eight 165 horsepower engine with a 3-speed manual transmission. It sold for $2,416 new (note: a house cost $9,000, the average yearly wage was $3,510, a gallon of gas was $0.19, and the average new car cost $1,500 at this time).
1953 Mayfair
This car has a 327 cubic inch straight eight 180 horsepower engine with Ultramatic transmission. It sold for $3,486 new (note: a house cost $9,550, the average yearly wage was $4,000, a gallon of gas was $0.29, and the average new car cost $1,650 at this time).
1954 Clipper Deluxe Sedan
In 1954, one in four Packards sold were Clipper Deluxe Sedans. This was a lower priced Packard. According to the Museum:
“Unique features to Clippers showcased a spear-like rear fender and tail light configuration and a special gauge cluster.”
This car has a 327 cubic inch straight eight 165 horsepower engine with a 2-speed Ultramatic transmission. It sold for $3,590 new (note: a house cost $10,250, the average yearly wage was $4,000, a gallon of gas was $0.29, and the average new car cost $1,700 at this time).
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