Wanna buy a Packard, or rather the Packard?

[Intrepidation]

Roy Gullickson has held the rights to the Packard name since 1995 and expended a bunch of effort putting together a prototype and trying to drum up investment to relaunch the brand, but he's now looking to sell. The neo-Packard that Gullickson was shopping around is not what you'd call attractive (see above), but it comes as part of the deal, along with engineering designs, tooling, and parts. It's a good idea to make your limited-run ultra luxury car look like something other than a Chinese Bentley knockoff, but you can make that right by putting your money on the line instead of spouting off like some jaded internet scribe. At least three international companies are reported to be seriously sniffing around the half-exhumed carcass, so it might be wise to act quickly if you'd like to see new Packards in tony garages and rap videos.

Source: Autoblog

[Intrepidation]

I dunno what's worse: that prototype or the fact that some Chinese company is probably looking to buy the rights to Packard.

Edited August 6, 2008 by Dodgefan

[Robert Hall]

I wonder what the prototype is based on...the windshield and A-pillars look like an '80s full size of some sort.

[Sixty8panther]

Chevy C1500 frame with hand-made body?

I donno... I thought it was not based on any

production car but rather a parts-bin mutt.

I'm sure someone on here can enlighten us.

[Robert Hall]

Chevy C1500 frame with hand-made body?

I donno... I thought it was not based on any

production car but rather a parts-bin mutt.

I'm sure someone on here can enlighten us.

Looks custom..massive perimeter frame, probably home built from 2x4s.

Packard Website

Edited August 6, 2008 by moltar

[Hudson]

This sale comes up every so often. Gullickson has been trying to get rid of this stuff for years. About two years ago, he had it (all of it) up on eBay but it didn't bring the money he expected to get. And I can't imagine it bringing too much because he doesn't own the rights to the name, just the license to use it.

[Brougham-Holiday]

Maybe GM will buy it, they like to collect brands that loose money.

[Intrepidation]

Maybe GM will buy it, they like to collect brands that loose money.

Of course they'll further dilute it and put Chevy rebadges in the lineup.

[Hudson]

Of course they'll further dilute it and put Chevy rebadges in the lineup.

Been there, done that....but it was Studebaker rebadges, not Chevrolet.

[balthazar]

Car is extremely impressive on the spec sheet. Chassis is custom- all aluminum, body's all aluminum, V-12 is all aluminum. For a big, real full-size, AWD V-12 car, the reported weight of 3750 is amazing. IIRC- it's all custom built- not a heavy modification of anything else. Sorry, kick-'em-when-they're-down-ers.

I don't care for the '48-esque body cues at all, and the rubber bumper ruins it for me. But for a 'resurrection' effort, a LOT of time, money & thought went into this. Pity it didn't go further... but in these days, without corporate backing, it's pretty much impossible.

[LosAngeles]

The bumpers are quite clearly from a Bonneville.

Car is extremely impressive on the spec sheet. Chassis is custom- all aluminum, body's all aluminum, V-12 is all aluminum. For a big, real full-size, AWD V-12 car, the reported weight of 3750 is amazing. IIRC- it's all custom built- not a heavy modification of anything else. Sorry, kick-'em-when-they're-down-ers.

I don't care for the '48-esque body cues at all, and the rubber bumper ruins it for me. But for a 'resurrection' effort, a LOT of time, money & thought went into this. Pity it didn't go further... but in these days, without corporate backing, it's pretty much impossible.

And for a real return of brands like Packard or Studebaker, it's going to take the Chinese startups who don't have anything to lose unlike the American, Euro, Japanese and Korean companies that all have their core brands to continue to pump.

[Hudson]

The bumpers are quite clearly from a Bonneville.

And the doors (aside from the skins) and windows are from something, but I can't quite put my finger on it.

And for a real return of brands like Packard or Studebaker, it's going to take the Chinese startups who don't have anything to lose unlike the American, Euro, Japanese and Korean companies that all have their core brands to continue to pump.

Chinese or Indian companies.

[balthazar]

If so, I condemn those that would license a name such as Packard to a chinese or indian entity- they are incapable of doing the name justice and have no basis of understanding to even try. And if one questions why such a basis is neccessary, I counter-question, why use the name in the first place?

[Robert Hall]

Car is extremely impressive on the spec sheet. Chassis is custom- all aluminum, body's all aluminum, V-12 is all aluminum. For a big, real full-size, AWD V-12 car, the reported weight of 3750 is amazing. IIRC- it's all custom built- not a heavy modification of anything else. Sorry, kick-'em-when-they're-down-ers.

I don't care for the '48-esque body cues at all, and the rubber bumper ruins it for me. But for a 'resurrection' effort, a LOT of time, money & thought went into this. Pity it didn't go further... but in these days, without corporate backing, it's pretty much impossible.

The cost and compexity of building a new car company from scratch make it pretty much impossible without hundreds of millions or more in capital.

[Robert Hall]

If so, I condemn those that would license a name such as Packard to a chinese or indian entity- they are incapable of doing the name justice and have no basis of understanding to even try. And if one questions why such a basis is neccessary, I counter-question, why use the name in the first place?

Brand recognition...a few people recognize a name like Packard. Though they are mostly over 50 probably.

[balthazar]

>>"The bumpers are quite clearly from a Bonneville."<<

Does not match google image results for '97, '98 or '99 Bonnevilles (SE or SSE) - too many contours are cleary different. I see why one would think that, but the pics do not support the claim.

>>"Brand recognition...a few people recognize a name like Packard."<<

Something worth doing, is worth doing right.

If only a few people recognize 'Packard', just choose something else. You know the chinese would only F the effort up and just stomp on any remaining cache the name has left with vehicle consumers... just make something else up... like : Chevy > Chery.... Packard > Packry.

Edited August 7, 2008 by balthazar

[Robert Hall]

>>"The bumpers are quite clearly from a Bonneville."<<

Does not match google image results for '97, '98 or '99 Bonnevilles (SE or SSE) - too many contours are cleary different. I see why one would think that, but the pics do not support the claim.

Looks similar to a '95 Bonneville SE bumper..

Edited August 7, 2008 by moltar

[balthazar]

Similar- yes, the same- no.

[LosAngeles]

I look at it as their Chinese or Indian money buys such an Asian car company some credibility and inspiration, and the American or Brit (or other) who controls the brand (and design and engineering) some R&D cash to make something like a mainstream-worthy car worthy of being a Packard or Studebaker or MG or whatever as opposed to something looking like a coachbuilt kit car.

I'd rather buy a Studebaker made responsible by new Asian money than a damn Dongfeng (what the hell is that, some sort of sex toy?)

I have a bigger vision about how such relationships could work, but I won't wax too nerdy about them in this reply. I simply feel both parties could do one another a favor with open minds and shrewd shots being called.

Edited August 8, 2008 by LosAngeles

[Blake Noble]

This reminds me, a 1949 Packard sedan has been put up for sale in my area.

I think it would be cool to see a private American investor buy the rights to the Packard and Studebaker names and relaunch an aggressively competitive American alternative to the Big Three and Japan Inc.

[FUTURE_OF_GM]

Car is extremely impressive on the spec sheet. Chassis is custom- all aluminum, body's all aluminum, V-12 is all aluminum. For a big, real full-size, AWD V-12 car, the reported weight of 3750 is amazing. IIRC- it's all custom built- not a heavy modification of anything else. Sorry, kick-'em-when-they're-down-ers.

I don't care for the '48-esque body cues at all, and the rubber bumper ruins it for me. But for a 'resurrection' effort, a LOT of time, money & thought went into this. Pity it didn't go further... but in these days, without corporate backing, it's pretty much impossible.

I too remember when this thing was making big splashes at the major auto shows.

IIRC, a lot of the interior stuff was sourced from GM.

[FUTURE_OF_GM]

This reminds me, a 1949 Packard sedan has been put up for sale in my area.

I think it would be cool to see a private American investor buy the rights to the Packard and Studebaker names and relaunch an aggressively competitive American alternative to the Big Three and Japan Inc.

I agree 100%

I actually wouldn't mind seeing the big 3 broken up and ALL of the brands given the resources and opportunity to fend for themselves. (If it comes to that)

Whatever happened to AVX Cars? They used to fit F4 camaros and Trans Ams with special motor mods and Avanti style bodies. Also had the Studebaker concept a few years back that looked like an H2 that had ugly mods.

[FUTURE_OF_GM]

>>"The bumpers are quite clearly from a Bonneville."<<

Does not match google image results for '97, '98 or '99 Bonnevilles (SE or SSE) - too many contours are cleary different. I see why one would think that, but the pics do not support the claim.

>>"Brand recognition...a few people recognize a name like Packard."<<

Something worth doing, is worth doing right.

If only a few people recognize 'Packard', just choose something else. You know the chinese would only F the effort up and just stomp on any remaining cache the name has left with vehicle consumers... just make something else up... like : Chevy > Chery.... Packard > Packry.

I fear that China is our future.... As in, they'll own most of the traditional american brands someday.

Just look at us and Britain. History repeats itself.

[balthazar]

>>"I fear that China is our future.... As in, they'll own most of the traditional american brands someday."<<

Well, the money, at least up until recently, is there, but stability & foresight is another matter. And lest anyone think I'm 'underestimating the enemy again'; I do pay particular attention to chinese-related news items and have learned to read between the liberal lines to an extent- there are real issues seemingly born of a cultural business mindset there that are self-defeating.

Besides that- if the chinese come to own most of the traditional brands, I'll just take myself off the new vehicle grid completely. I'm not ever buying a chinese brand car, no matter what the name is. A new car is one of the worst 'investments' one can make and chinese products are some of the world's worst.

[LosAngeles]

This reminds me, a 1949 Packard sedan has been put up for sale in my area.

I think it would be cool to see a private American investor buy the rights to the Packard and Studebaker names and relaunch an aggressively competitive American alternative to the Big Three and Japan Inc.

Would have to be a multibillionaire interested in wasting his money. Those types are more likely to see a sports franchise as a better investment, or are more happy about buying a Lamborghini or some car at a Barrett Jackson auction.

Any car efforts not from an existing established company will likely not be all-American.

I actually wouldn't mind seeing the big 3 broken up and ALL of the brands given the resources and opportunity to fend for themselves. (If it comes to that)

Might be best for their survival.

Whatever happened to AVX Cars? They used to fit F4 camaros and Trans Ams with special motor mods and Avanti style bodies. Also had the Studebaker concept a few years back that looked like an H2 that had ugly mods.

All that stuff was crap to me.

And as far as Chinese products, they don't have to be built in China. If the U.S. installed a rule similar to Brazil or Australia, that could do wonders.

Edited August 8, 2008 by LosAngeles

[Hudson]

Whatever happened to AVX Cars? They used to fit F4 camaros and Trans Ams with special motor mods and Avanti style bodies. Also had the Studebaker concept a few years back that looked like an H2 that had ugly mods.

I was going to mention the "revival" of Studebaker.

AVX Cars became Avanti Motors and started making "new" Avantis based on Firebirds and then Mustangs. In 2003, they showed the Studebaker XUV, a modified Ford truck.

Avanti moved from Georgia to Cancun, Mexico, in 2006. Owner of Avanti, Michael Kelly, was accused of $400 Ponzi scheme (the details are from Wikipedia, but I know that this actually happened) and Avanti was involved and therefore shut down. They haven't built any vehicles since 2007.

[FUTURE_OF_GM]

I was going to mention the "revival" of Studebaker.

AVX Cars became Avanti Motors and started making "new" Avantis based on Firebirds and then Mustangs. In 2003, they showed the Studebaker XUV, a modified Ford truck.

Avanti moved from Georgia to Cancun, Mexico, in 2006. Owner of Avanti, Michael Kelly, was accused of $400 Ponzi scheme (the details are from Wikipedia, but I know that this actually happened) and Avanti was involved and therefore shut down. They haven't built any vehicles since 2007.

That's sad and not surprising at the same time. the owner always seemed a bit shady to me (After all the Studebaker exposure)

I was pulling for the company though.

[Intrepidation]

I was going to mention the "revival" of Studebaker.

AVX Cars became Avanti Motors and started making "new" Avantis based on Firebirds and then Mustangs. In 2003, they showed the Studebaker XUV, a modified Ford truck.

Avanti moved from Georgia to Cancun, Mexico, in 2006. Owner of Avanti, Michael Kelly, was accused of $400 Ponzi scheme (the details are from Wikipedia, but I know that this actually happened) and Avanti was involved and therefore shut down. They haven't built any vehicles since 2007.

That thing is horrible looking, like an ugly H3...especially from the back.

[cire]

That thing is horrible looking, like an ugly H3...especially from the back.

+1

Studebaker made some nice looking cars in its time (the Hawk and Amati). This monstrosity did nothing to continue that tradition. YIKES!

[Hudson]

That thing is horrible looking, like an ugly H3...especially from the back.

As much as it was a Hummer rip-off (and GM sued under such claims...and won), the original concept vehicle had some interesting details like minivan-like sliding rear side doors. The "production" version had conventional swinging doors.

[Sixty8panther]

The Chinese were, durring the "cultural revolutiopn", trying to make

tanks and otehr military equipt. from melted down spoons and other

metals, even WHITE metals, that made thier stupid botched abortion

of a Communist regime even more laughable.

I will be the first to embrace China and be 100% for sending them

our best wishes... AFTER they rid themselves of their Socialist

tendencies and purge their attempts at replicating Stalinist CCCP.

F*** ANY country that is communist, I think it's DISGUSTING that

after working at H.P. for 18 years my dad's job was taken from

him and shipped to "Kommunist Republik of China"... it's also esp.

IRONIC since we (my family) came to this country to escape the

Communist oppresion of 1980s CzechoSlovakia!

It's vulgar and repulsive to me that we, esp. our government has

decided to KNOWINGLY allow China to rape, pilage and burn this

country's resources, monetary value & standard of living!!!

And I also think that no Asian country, India, Japan, China or

who-EVER outside the USA should EVER have the chance to OWN

the rights to a nameplate like Packard.

But... I'm sure plenty of you guys woud do it in a hearbeat;

just pack up the F***ing Statue of Liberty, Liberty Bell &

hell, throw in 'old Ironsides' too, ship 'em over to China as

a token of our goodwill.

[LosAngeles]

I also think that no Asian country, India, Japan, China or

who-EVER outside the USA should EVER have the chance to OWN

the rights to a nameplate like Packard.

Not even the Canadians?

Because otherwise it's not gonna happen. American money alone can't start (back) up a car company IMO. Dollars will be focused anywhere but. Yuan, however, would genuinely be interested.

But don't burn your smileys up anymore than you have to. The political jingoists and fundie purists will never have it anyway.

So Packard and Studebaker will die or stay dead for good. Minds simply aren't open enough to do what it really takes.

Edited August 11, 2008 by LosAngeles

[aldw]

If it takes Chinese, Indian et al currency to bring more variety to the market, then that's what needs to be done, especially considering how companies like GM just keep bringing out mediocrity...

Edited August 24, 2008 by aldw