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There was also the Tratraplan, which was a four cylinder. Craig

Funny, as Richard Teague's last-ditch attempt at producing a 'real' Packard in Detroit was to buy the 1956 Lincoln body stampings from Ford and add some familiar Packard design cues. And there exists a concept drawing of a Pierce Arrow in Packard clothing at the Studebaker National Museum (post #11 here) http://forum.studebakerdriversclub.com/showthread.php?86524-New-TW-don-t-read-unless-you-have-Feb-s-already Just before the war, Graham and Hupmobile already tried that with the Cord body, and it still didn't keep them viable in the automobile industry. As far as postwar Cadillacs go, I still say the 1966 Fleetwood Brougham was the closest one got to matching the opulence of pre-war Cadillacs, Packards, Duesenbergs, and Pierce Arrows from the 1930's. The 1957 Eldorado Brougham would be better compared to the Silver Arrow. Craig

Is there a Marti Report available for 1956 Lincoln's? It there is, it would be worth purchasing a copy for your car. It will state exactly what you had for engine, transmission, and options, etc. Craig

The very earliest A/V's definitely suffered from poor build quality from being rushed to market. (They were already 2-1/2 months late, being introduced in December, and missed the traditional September new car introduction) And the lack of quality control was evident, and I saw this first hand. The local Plymouth dealer told me they spent more time "dealer prepping" brand new Volare's from the factory than on any other vehicle in the Chrysler-Plymouth line than ever before, and he showed me a Volare station wagon they just received where the imitation woodgrain trim was lifting around the door edges which they had to fix before releasing it for sale. But over time, though, build quality did improve, and GM's X-cars ultimately overshadowed the A/V line for recalls, much to Chysler's relief. By the end of 1980, the Aspen & Volare names were retired, and the Diplomat, LeBaron, (and Caravelle in Canada) carried on for several more years until the last of the rwd Fifth Avenues in 1989. That rwd platform could not have been all THAT bad as for a time, the Diplomat/Gran Fury in Police Package form were the favorite of many local constabularies in North America. Craig

Never really looked for a Sportsman brochure, but they might be more common than one thinks. For example, in 1958, there were only 159 Packard station wagons produced, but there are still plenty of the single-page color sheets dedicated to the Packard station wagon around, and can usually be found for under $10 for one in excellent condition. Craig

This was a good bust: http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2012/04/12/ohio-man-busted-for-trying-to-sell-cloned-chevelle-z16-as-the-real-thing/?refer=news And a worst case scenario where the buyer can become a victim: http://www.sportscarmarket.com/news/news/3349-the-saga-of-a-stolen-Shelby Craig

You don't want to miss this next month: http://www.mcacn.com/ Craig

Those look very good and modern for the times, very British; and could have carried P-A up to the war years. P-A would have lost is trademark styling feature by 1939 when the majority of the US automakers integrated the headlights flush with the fenders that year. The only bad part is how expensive it would have been to tool up for it, as the Silver Arrows upon which they would have been based were essentially hand-built. Even the last of the 1938's still had a fabric insert roof, which was "old-hat" by then. Craig

Here is a 1918 US assembled Fiat in the old Harrah's Museum in Reno (post #14): http://forum.studebakerdriversclub.com/showthread.php?65049-1940-American-Automobiles Craig

1970 Chrysler 300H convertible; the only one made. I saw it in April,1970 at the Kinsmen Fieldhouse at the Antique Car & Gun show in Edmonton, and later, it was on display in the showroom at Crosstown Motors for a short time afterwards. Craig

The only place for passengers is a step up to the throne! Craig

First, I found an aluminum plate in the middle of the dash, and upon removing it, there was a gaping hole there. Also there was a 2" round plastic 'bullseye' affixed to the dash with a dot in the center, which served no purpose whatsoever. Then, I looked at the back bumper, and saw two round cutouts replaced filled in with perforated thin metal. And pulling off the door panels, there were more holes in the metal than were on the door panel. I scratched my head, and realized it was the FACTORY hiding/masking options the car didn't come with; radio, clock, backup lights, and power windows!! Craig

And if 'John' cannot help you, try George Rohrbach at Highspeed Motors: http://www.highspeedmotors.com/ Craig

I believe that! There was a '57 Plymouth in Omaha that was parked undisturbed and untouched in one spot for 50 years that was 'missing chrome and sagging springs' when opened!! Craig

That they were! Archie Andrews had 'interesting' taste, shall we say..... Craig

Tame compared to a Ruxton!! Craig

I nominate the Mercedes Benz 600. In late 1963, it was a technological tour-de-force, and remained in production until 1981. Mercedes Benz was manufacturing high quality cars in Europe concurrently, and produced a number of notable cars over the years besides the 600, which would include the 540K, 300SL Gullwing, along with several others. The Ford Model T is definitely worthy of mention, as it changed the entire culture of America when it came to mobility. Thirty years later, the government-of-the-day in Germany must have thought the concept behind the Model T was a good thing, and produced VW Beetle with the intention to make it affordable to every German until the war intervened. Craig

That is entirely correct, where luxury features and expensive-to-manufacture styling touches migrated from the luxury and mid-priced class and eventually to the low-price field, and is now taken for granted on nearly every car on the planet. Starting in the 1950's it became a HUGE problem of gigantic proportions for luxury car manufacturers where leather interiors and power accessories were no longer exclusive to that market. I recall reading it was becoming a problem for Packard, trying to compete when Buick, Oldsmobile, Mercury, and even Pontiac started offering air conditioning, power windows & seats, et al. Today, a brand new Hyundai Sonata can be equipped with all the same creature comforts a Lincoln has, including build quality. Craig

How many remember what a gala event it was on a Friday evening every September when all the new car dealers in town (at least the once-Big Three) papered their windows the previous day and rolled in with their next-year's models? I remember those days well, either going on the Friday evening or Saturday making the rounds and seeing what was new. Even though a car may not have received a brand new body in the 1960's, the yearly updates on existing were extensive enough to be able to tell the year of it half a block away at the time, unlike today. Craig

Its great if you scanned them into your computer. At least you have record of them! I would alert the various Ford Model A and Model T clubs of this, as someone will no doubt be trying to sell them off. Craig

I would contact Louis Vuitton themselves for an answer. Craig

For reference: Here's a restored '32 -----------------> http://forum.studebakerdriversclub.com/showthread.php?57863-Orphan-of-the-Day-01-04-1932-Diamond-T And a '36 -----------------> http://forum.studebakerdriversclub.com/showthread.php?47946-Orphan-of-the-Day-01-19-1936-Diamond-T-212A And a '26 -----------------> http://forum.studebakerdriversclub.com/showthread.php?61823-Orphan-of-the-Day-05-21-1926-Diamond-T And a rare '39 Pack-Age-Car --------------> http://forum.studebakerdriversclub.com/showthread.php?52519-Orphan-of-the-Day-07-02-1939-Diamond-T-Pack-Age-Car Craig

Place your order for a brand new '36 and watch it get built here: --------> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPpTK2ezxL0 Craig

Here's a 1919 Moreland: http://forum.studebakerdriversclub.com/showthread.php?48491-Orphan-of-the-Day-02-07-1919-Moreland Craig

Did you try George Rohrbach at High-Speed Motors? Here a link: http://forum.studebakerdriversclub.com/showthread.php?46085-Reedsville-Tie-Rods-etc Craig