This comprehensive history of Packard was published in 1975. From the dust jacket:
Nathaniel
T. Dawes has written a definitive history of the Packard company, and the cars
it produced, covering the period from the early years of World War II to the
firm's demise.
With
a probing eye he has researched company records, and interviewed company
executives to produce an inside story of the formation of Studebaker-Packard
Corporation, the management contract with Curtiss-Wright, and the eventual
cessation of operations.
Dawes's
story includes a chapter on Packard's war production, complete with
illustrations of the various boats and aircraft that were powered by the
advanced Packard engines. Particular attention is given to the design
breakthroughs that marked the 1940s and early 1950s. These include the
streamline design of the Clipper, the flush contour styling of the 1948-50
models, and the trend-setting design of the 1951 models, copied by the rest of
the industry in 1955.
Many
Packard innovations were controversial when they were introduced and the author
describes in detail the much-discussed features of such outstanding models as
the Caribbean, the luxury convertible; the 200, 300, and 400 Series; the
limousines and hearses; and the specialty cars such as the Grey
Wolf II.
The
text includes sparkling anecdotes and items of interest. You will learn which
Packard president was nicknamed Pinch-Penny, and why.
What
was Macauley's Folly? How did women influence the Packard's design?
These
are only a few examples of the dozens of items covered in the book.
The
text is complemented by over 200 illustrations, including many Packard factory
photos never before published, and several from the personal files of former
president Alvan Macauley. In addition, there is a color section composed
entirely of photos of Packards as they exist today[1975]. Finally, there is a
large appendix containing specifications for each production year.
This
magnificent oversized volume will be welcomed by everyone who ever owned a
Packard, or wished he owned one, by car enthusiasts everywhere, and by all
those who appreciate the quality and style that were synonymous with the
Packard name.
